A Few Car-Related News Odds & Ends...

I've seen a few IndyCar chassis/engine-related news stories in the past few days, but none of them seemed "major" enough to warrent their own story. Therefore, I decided that it was time for another of my "odds & ends" articles, lumping them all togeather. Here you go:

1) The first off season test took place earlier this week at the Homestead-Miami speedway. Among those present were: Ed Carpenter (Vision Racing), Vitor Meira (AJ Foyt Racing), Tony Kanaan (Andretti-Green Racing), Scott Dixon (Ganassi Racing) & soon-to-be rookie Raphael Matos (Luczo-Dragon Racing). They tested out the new muffler system (see my story; The "sound" of Change), as well as a new carbon clutch. Both systems got high marks from all involved. The clutch idea was suggested to the IRL by the former CCWS teams, who used a similar system. It is said to wear better - thus making for a longer "life" - & be easier on the gearbox.

2) Dallara Automobili, the sole chassis supplier to the IndyCar Series, has announced that prices on replacement parts will decrease by between 8 & 20 percent per part when their 2009 catalog is revealed in mid January. Andrea Toso, Dallara's point man for their IndyCar program, says that the company is trying to be a good partner in tough times. "If we can help the teams go through this difficult economic time, it is in the best interest of the manufacturers, the series and the teams." Toso estimates that teams will save an avergae of 11% on chassis parts over their 2008 season expenditures.

3) Porsche is looking less likely to be a potential engine supplier for the IndyCar Series come 2011. Wolfgang Durheimer, a member of their research and developement board, recently told Autoweek that the American Le Mans Series is a better fit for their U.S. motorsports efforts, & that all discussions about joining the IndyCar Series have ceased as of now.