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Which Way Will IndyCar Turn?

Which way should the Izod IndyCar series turn?

For a sport whose foundation rests on the old – reverently referred to as “tradition” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the talk in May was of the new.

And not just the fresh management team that replaced Tony George and cronies in the last year.

The conversations of “new” inevitably focused on a replacement chassis for the ancient and, by now, technically uninteresting Dallara. The Delta Wing – as radical as anti-Vietnam protesters were in the Sixties – was on display behind the Pagoda. It seemed to draw as much attention as Danica.

Well, let’s not go quite that far!

In another sacred Indy tradition, there’s plenty of politics attached to the issue. There’s five chassis design groups making pitches to the advisory group appointed by new series CEO Randy Bernard. As far as I can tell, the only thing in common is they all promise better driver safety – especially the seating position – an absolute must given the way-too-many back injuries that have come from the current car. Mike Conway being just the latest.

Another factor is a new engine design. Honda wants a twin-turbo 6. The Delta Wing is designed around a 4 based on the much discussed world racing formula powerplant.

“I have no politics attached to me on any side,” Bernard said the other week. “I want those good ideas no matter what side of the fence (IRL vs. Champ Car) someone was on five years ago. I also come from the standpoint of a new fan. If you can’t teach the CEO your sport, how are you going to teach a new fan?

“It’s time we have a new chassis. Fans don’t want to see a single spec. They want to see open source, whether it’s engine manufacturers, or possibly, more than one chassis. The advisory committee is challenged to do what’s in the best interests of the sport.

“Then, we need to determine if it’s best to wait until 2013, or roll it out in 2012. The last thing you want to do is roll out an unbelievable new idea and, then, nobody can play because of the economy. I don’t think that’s going to happen. We’re attracting some more sponsors now. Realistically, I think you’ll see a new car in 2012.”

Two-time Indy winner Arie Luyendyk is one of those favoring another direction.

“I don’t know where this all has come from, these crazy looking cars,” said the 1990 and 1997 victory lane visitor. “We’re going to see the Batmobile at the Speedway. We saw one at the Barrett-Jackson auction and it looks a lot like this (Delta Wing) car.

“I don’t know about this car. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be driving one. It does not look like a very maneuverable car going 220-plus mph and driving the way we drive these cars right now. It looks like a concept car and, hopefully, it will stay a concept car.

“I like some of the other ideas a little better. (But) I don’t know why we have to have a new car to begin with. Let’s look at what we have now: We’ve had many good races. We had 27 cars in Kansas, which is very healthy. It’s very difficult right now to find sponsorship, so people have become creative, and one of those ways is to not have to buy new cars each year. That’s a great savings on the budget. Why not continue with what we have right now?”

Jeff Gordon admitted two months ago that, when he first saw images of the Delta Wing, he thought it was an Internet  joke. After being told it was a real design, Gordon was asked if he’d like to drive it:

“No . . . except maybe at Bonneville,” explained the four-time Sprint Cup champion.

However, it’s clear something different from the aging Dallara is coming to the Speedway. In 2013, if not 2012.

The botton line question for Randy Bernard is: How much “new” can Indy Oldtimers take?

[ Next column:  June 21 ]

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(I.N. Sider is the pen name for an independent motorsports business-person who has a quarter-century of professional experience working in almost every major North American racing series. The writer is not an employee of Valvoline or Ashland Inc. The column is intended to inform, entertain, and stimulate thought on the contemporary motorsports scene. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Valvoline or Ashland Inc.)