Neuerungen für 2008

      Neuerungen für 2008

      Mit einer Pressekonferenz beim Detroit GP zeigt die Indycar Serie zumindest nach außen hin Konstanz: Für 2008 wurden wesentliche Neuerungen angekündigt:

      - Auch 2008 wird es wieder 17 Rennen geben. Bis auf Michigan sind die Strecken dieselben wie dieses Jahr. Grundsätzlich sollen die Rennen an den selben Wochenenden wie heuer stattfinden. In weiterer Zukunft sollen es 20 Rennen werden.

      - Ab 2008 werden alle Rennen von ESPN in HD-Auflösung übertragen.

      - Ab 2008 fährt auch die Indycar Serie mit Paddle Shifters. Ich hatte es schon befürchtet, dass das früher oder später kommt :weep:
      hatte ich schon nen bericht zu bei mir im board gehabt ich setz mal das ganze interview von Terry Angstadt hier als copy rein

      Series continues to marry technology, exciting on-track product

      DETROIT – Paddle shifters. All 2008 races in HD. New steering technology. Schedule expansion to 20 events. New tub with wider cockpit.

      Those were among short- and long-term Indy Racing League initiatives presented by Brian Barnhart, president of the racing and operations division, and Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division, during a "State of the Sport" address after AAMCO Transmissions Pole Award qualifying for the inaugural Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone on Belle Isle.

      Angstadt said 16 races will be carried over to the 2008 schedule basically on the same weekends as this year, and teams have been notified to budget for 17 races.

      "The 17th will be big news," said Angstadt, minutes after Detroit Indy GP chairman Bud Denker confirmed Aug. 29-31 as the 2008 race weekend.

      Angstadt said that 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." He said the sanctioning body continues to look at the merits of a separate international schedule or "barnstorming" concept.

      "We have received numerous inquiries about taking the series overseas, and while it remains a work in development we do see an opportunity to keep ourselves busy with a limited international schedule shortly after our domestic championship concludes," he said. "To what extent in terms of numbers and locations is still being discussed."

      Angstadt also said the league is working with broadcast partner ESPN to televise the entire '08 schedule in high definition. This year, the 91st Indianapolis 500 was presented in HD to rave reviews.

      Barnhart said off-season IndyCar Series testing will be utilized to develop for the '08 season:

      Ï A paddle shift system to enhance 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 downshifting, and increased transmission component life. It's also a safety issue."

      Ï New steering technology to enhance the steering effort on road and street courses.

      Ï New sidepods and a modification to the underwing to integrate a more efficient sound reduction system. A 7-milimeter-thick panel will be applied 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 1 in 2008.

      Barnhart said the current chassis will fundamentally remain the same through at least the 2008 season.

      "We're looking to introduce a new tub perhaps as early as 2009 or 2010 that will feature a wider cockpit with improved head protection as well," he said. "We will go from our current 19-inch cockpit to a 21-inch cockpit, which is the FIA specification. That will make the extraction of a driver in case of an injury much easier. The new tub, when introduced, would be the nucleus of the new chassis that could debut as early as 2010 or 2011."

      Concepts from IndyCar 2011 -- a 12-week Funded Educational Program with the Art Center College of Design – could be incorporated into the next generation chassis. Twenty-six students from four disciplines were challenged to imagine the future of the IndyCar Series, and their comprehensive presentations delivered, with nods to the history of Indy car racing and the Indianapolis 500. Angstadt said the series and its manufacturers "are enthusiastically looking forward to taking some of these designs to the next step."

      Safety – also incorporated in students' concepts regarding the cars and driver protection – remains paramount.

      "In developing the new car, we will not deviate far from where we are today in terms of the already high safety standards in our sport," Barnhart said. "As a sanctioning body, we are never satisfied with the status quo when it comes to safety. We are continually striving to enhance and improve safety in every way possible and we are very proud of our position as the leader in motorsports safety."

      To that end, research and development is ongoing to identify the most effective seat design, structure and seatbelt configuration to provide drivers with enhanced levels of protection.

      Barnhart said the IndyCar Series' move to 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol – the first in motorsports to employ a renewable and environmentally responsible fuel -- has been seamless with engine provider Honda.

      "The reliability of the fuel has been outstanding and fuel efficiency has been so good that we have consumed more than 20,000 gallons (or 30 percent less) less fuel than last season," he said. "We appreciate the hard work of EPIC – the Ethanol Information & Promotional Council -- and Honda to make the league's first season of racing on an alternative fuel such a resounding success.

      "Ethanol has worked so well for us in the IndyCar Series and we see where automotive companies are going with research and development of fuels that we are seriously looking at alternative fuel options for the Indy Pro Series."

      Both executives said the Indy Pro Series' 2008 season looks even brighter than this year, when an average field of 23 cars participated in the 15 events. The season finale is Sept. 9 at Chicagoland Speedway.

      "Interest from potential drivers, teams and sponsors is at level even higher than last year," Barnhart said. "In fact, last weekend at Infineon Raceway, executive director Roger Bailey met with two new potential drivers, two new potential team owners and one potential sponsor for next season."


      und ja "Paddle Shifters" find ich auch eine sache auf die man getrost verzichten könnte...
      "Um IndyCar-Racing wieder dahin zu bringen, wo es einmal war, bedarf es sicher noch einiger Saisons. Dank der Vereinigung ist es wieder möglich, dieses Ziel zu erreichen. Das war es vorher nicht."

      Alex Zanardi