DETROIT — With one of the wildest — and most bitter — IndyCar title chases coming to a conclusion at Chicagoland Speedway next weekend, the IndyCar Series once again has experienced success on the race track.
But it’s already time to look to next season as a variety of technical improvements, and the promise that the series will include a 17th race next season, were part of a “State of the Sport” presentation on Saturday at the Raceway at Belle Isle.
Next season will see further improvements to the cars, including the introduction of “paddle shifting” and better impact side protection on the cars.
“The introduction of a paddle shift system on IndyCars for 2008 is being considered for a number reasons, including more driver control as both hands remain on the steering wheel at all times, improved steering control on road courses and ovals, reduced incidence of over revs during down shifting and increased transmission component life,” IndyCar President of Competition Brian Barnhart said. “When we get the paddle shift system up and going, it will probably be a mandatory system for the full-season participants.
“We’ll probably make it optional for the one-off teams at Indianapolis. That way we can keep cars in the loop, help control the expenses of the teams that try and do Indy only. It will probably become a mandatory system for the full-season participants.”
According to Barnhart, the system will be about $25,000 per car/driver combination, per chassis.
“That can save itself pretty quickly just in the reduction of the incidences of over-revs,” he said. “I think it’s a good situation, one that can be amortized over a long period of time, be a good situation for the teams to be able to actually reduce their expenses over the cost of the season.”
Other improvements include improved side impact protection with the addition of a 7mm thick panel to each side of the chassis to improve penetration resistance. The panel consists of 21 layers of Zylon, which is bonded to the side of the tub. It is the same modification that the FIA has mandated for Formula One in 2008.
Also, new steering technologies are being examined, which could include some form of “power steering” on the cars for road courses in 2008.
The series announced ongoing research and development to improve seat design, structure and seatbelt configuration to provide the drivers with the highest levels of protection.
These tests are being conducted with the Delphi Safety Team working in conjunction with Les Mactaggart, the IRL senior technical director, Medical Director Dr. Mike Olinger and safety consultant, Dr. Terry Trammel.
From the business side, Barnhart and IndyCar President of Commercial Development Terry Angstadt said an announcement will be made soon that will “help increase the value of racing in the IndyCar Series for all of our team entrants.”
The current chassis will be retained in 2008 with new sidepods and a modification to the underwing. In 2009, the series wants to introduce a new tub that will go from the current 19-inch wide cockpit to a 21-inch wide cockpit that is similar to Formula One in an effort to make the extraction of a driver much easier.
“The new tub, when introduced, would be the nucleus of a new chassis that could debut as early as 2011,” Barnhart said. “In developing the new car we will not deviate far from where we are today in terms of the already high safety standards of our sport.”
Angstadt said the series continues to finalize its 2008 schedule with 16 of the 17 races returning on basically the same weekends as the 2007 season.
“As sanction agreements are returned and executed, we will be working with the tracks individually to announce their respective dates,” Angstadt said. “At this point we continue to work on a 17th date for 2008 and we have notified all of our teams that they should budget for 17. The 17th will be big news.
“Looking to the near future we see our schedule growing to 20 events with the West Coast a priority and the potential of events in Canada and Mexico.”