US Open Wheel, reports of unification (closer than ever)

[checkered]

This seems to follow the lines of the F1 2009 rules (the illustration).

He's right in the vortex thing, but i think not on the downforce one.

Yes, there are clear

similarities. The (functionally) unnecessary volume of the sidepods, huge rear wheel flipup/"vortex shields" and round shapes make the car a bit pudgy - to be completely unscientific about it. I believe F1 is likely to be affected by the same ailment. Again, this is a unique approach to the "open wheel aerodynamic contradiction" I've addressed a couple of times and it is interesting to see the area explored. Certainly the chassis/tyre interaction is very consciously articulated with this proposal. Is it "guesstimable" how significant (in simple enough terms) the effect in delaying flow separation with this kind of shielding is? I do appreciate that rolling tyre aerodynamics have long been a matter of interest as research methods have evolved.

[Ogami musashi]

The topic is complex since the wheel can be considered a rotating viscous flow but for sure the shielding decreases the adverse pressure gradient so it will decrease overall form drag (both profile and section).

[Conceptual]

Honestly,

I don't think that I would be very interested in watching a series based around Bruce Ashmore's vision.

It would be an aweful lot like a 110% scale Toyota Atlantic car with more power.

If the cars are identical, and there is no room for technical improvement by the teams, and they just "ban everything that they don't understand", it is going to be nothing more than a 200MPH commercial for the sponsors.

Not race teams bringing their best to the track for the weekend.

My two cents.

Chris

[Rev Limiter]

I like the drawing, as pudgy as it looks....Anything is better than an ugly P-O-S that Indycar currently calls an "Indycar".

However, what is wrong with picking up where CART left off?

Go back to say, 1998 CART design rules package. Bring back the Lolas, Reynards and Swifts. =D>

Why reinvent the Champ Car when the drawings and the machinery/tooling technology and maintenance/set-up know-how already exists?

You can have a Super Speedway spec wing package for the likes of Michigan, Fontana, and Indianapolis, and then have a road course package, and 1 mile and 1.5 mile oval packages.

Does Tony George need to redesign anything? [-X

Bring Cosworth and Ilmor Back, another tire manufacturer and you're in business.

Why wait another season or two? Doesn't make any sense to me, you need to be able to attract racing car drivers, fans, and sponsors, not lose them.

Indycar cannot afford to keep showcasing a whale for a race car with an engine that sounds as if it is powered by baked beans.

[donskar]

Ummmmm, RevLimiter, do take a deep breath.

You wrote, among other things:

Bring back the Lolas, Reynards and Swifts.

Reynard has been out of business for many years. Lola and Swift have gone in very different directions. (Is Swift still making race cars?)

I'm all for more manufacturers, but let's support the living ones.

[Rev Limiter]

I knew Reynard was out of commission (RIP), but last time I checked the Lola Cars and Swift Engineering websites, they were still pushing chasses (sp?). The latter with Atlantics. Not sure about the age of the Swift website...

I suppose Dallara and Panoz could still make offerings going forward.

I didn't mention Toyota and Honda along with Ilmore and Cosworth. How much effort would they need to "re" tool and restart the production of 2.65L t V8 Engines???

[guy_smiley]

If the cars are identical, and there is no room for technical improvement by the teams, and they just "ban everything that they don't understand", it is going to be nothing more than a 200MPH commercial for the sponsors.

I agree-the development of F1 cars is a big draw for me. Honestly, I find the unveiling of the new models is very exciting. I get just as hyped up the night before a new car's launch as I do a GP. Anyway, I'm starting to worry that not much is going to change with the new indycar except some of the tracks. Hopefully, those involved with a lot of vision and a little sense will realize this is their opportunity to turn indycar into a real racing series (something/anything resembling F1 or old CART/Champ IMO).

On a side note, I was thinking about the possibility of F1 returning to Indy for 2009 (Indy officials reiterating that the recently released schedule is only 'tentative'). That got me thinking of the Speedway itself, and how the 'new' Indycar could race the 500 in the spring and then also have a GP on the road course in the summer. Seems pretty reasonable to me, anyway.

Something I thought of after that, which is not so reasonable, is that (aside from the 500) the Brickyard could host an awesome race with both circuits used just like the old Monza. The racers would go round the oval then the road course then oval then road course etc. etc. Like I said, unreasonable, but it would be awesome to see...

[Rev Limiter]

It seems like it is a case of back to the future for IndyCART .

Lola and Swift are now vying for a place in the heart and mind of IRL board and on the grid of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I always expected this to be the case because these chassis were the archetypal Champcar.

When (not IF) Lola and Swift take to the IMS, it will be testimony of the flawed vision held by a certain individual that destroyed the series. [-X

Now, to complete the backflip, there will need to be a return to Michigan, Fontana, Cleveland, Road America, Mid-Ohio, Toronto, Detroit, and Surfers Paradise. Perhaps the IRL is already negotiating for this to happen? In the case of the latter event, I think the IRL has burnt its bridges.

The question is: with empty bleechers, can the IRL afford to wait until 2012 to put the Lola and Swift chassis and the new engine packages on the grid? Will anyone care to notice?

Perhaps, there should be a name change. IRL should become C-A-R-T , and supply teams and drivers to the IMS as well as its own series. Perhaps lost fans would then notice and return with their children - the next gen of Indycar fans.

[Richard]

I wonder why this thread became alive after lying dormant for 2 years?

Perhaps there's a half built all American car lying in Charlotte North Carolina (where they have barabecues all winter) that is looking for an end use?