Latest News Odds & Ends

Here they are the latest 'quick bits' of news concerning the IOZD IndyCar Series.                                                                                                                                                                                     

SLIGHT CHANGE TO 2012 ENGINE SPEC

The maximum capacity of the 2012 spec IndyCar engines has been lowered from 2.4 litres to 2.2 litres. While this might not seem like a big change, IndyCar technical boss Tony Cotman believes that it will be more in line with what major auto manufacturers will be producing for street cars in the future, so it should help to make the series more attractive as a place to showcase their wares. “We’re always trying to be in-tune with road car technology,” he told reporters. “Building a bespoke engine for IndyCar racing has to be put through some harsh parameters, and I think we have to be conscious of what’s happening in the auto industry. We want to make sure we’re moving along at the same pace to where road car engines are going."  

Honda, Chevrolet and Lotus, all of whom have committed to producing engines meeting the 2012 spec requirements, have agreed to the change.

105% RULE & DOUBLE FILE RESTARTS

Starting this year, any driver who can't qualify for a race within 105% of the time set by the polesitter will not be allowed to participate in that event. This is a further 'tightening' of the gap, which stood at 107% last year. The aim is to keep slow or inconsistant drivers from hindering the 'flow' of the race for the other participants.

As always, if necessary they will make an exception for the Indy 500, where tradition calls for a thirty-three car starting grid.

Also, IndyCar will adopt a NASCAR-style double file restart on oval tracks when comming out of a caution period. It is a bit unclear at this point whether this will put cars that are one or more laps down in the outside lane, or if it will be the cars currently running 2nd, 4th, 6th and so on.

IndyCar will continue to use single file restarts on road and street courses, citing concerns about lack of passing room in most corners on such circuts.

GOING HOLLYWOOD

 In an effort to increase their media exposure and 'presence' in the realm of public entertainment, INDYCAR will soon open a business office in Santa Monica CA - just down (or up?; I'm not quite sure!) the road from Hollywood. As the newly appointed Senior Vice President of Media and Entertainment, Sarah Nettinga will look to "pursue opportunities and make deals across multiple business lines and entertainment outlets” according the INDYCAR boss Randy Bernard.

Nettinga has performed similar work for NASCAR in recent years, so she already has several established contacts in the entertainment industry.