USA: Indianapolis Speedway track facts


Villeneuve at Indy
By Phil Huff (26/09/2003)
September 26 2003

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the second oldest motor-racing venue currently in use, but the 4.192 km course that snakes through the infield also utilises part of the fabled Indianapolis oval. However, it has only been a venue for Formula One since 2000.

Tony George, head of the Speedway corporation, and a descendent of the Hulman family that has steered the fortunes of the historic American track, pulled out all the stops to create a world-class racing circuit that could provide a permanent home for the US Grand Prix. In pursuit of that goal, he made radical changes to the original speedway by demolishing buildings, erecting a new pit complex and grandstands, and building today’s challenging road course.

Overtaking is much easier at Indianapolis than at most tracks, with a clear passing opportunity into Turn one, a second-gear corner preceded by a long straight. The slowest part of the track is the 40mph tight S-bend, while the fastest is Turn 13. This is the first corner of the speedway and is taken flat-out at 185mph in an F1 car.

Race Distance: 73 laps 190.150 miles (306.016 km)
Circuit Length: 2.605 miles (4.192 km).
Race Start: 13.00 local time, 19:00 BST.

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