Damit ist das Jahr 2010 vom Tisch was eine neue Formel für die Indy Cars angeht. Für Ende Juni 2008 sind die ersten Diskussionen über die neuen Spezifikationen der Indy Car Series angedacht. Man strebt dabei das Jahr 2011 an. Für uns Fans bedeutet das: 2 1/2 Saisons noch diese hässlichen alten Dallaras anzusehen, ich weiss nicht ob ich das noch tragen kann. Mein Interesse lässt immer mehr nach um ehrlich zu sein.
Sicherlich ist mir auch klar, dass man so umfangreiche Änderungen nicht von einem Tag auf den anderen machen kann. Aber wieder fast 3 Jahre warten? Bis dahin bin ich alt und grau und werde andere Interessen haben
Das einzig positive an der Sache: man möchte anscheinend wieder Wettbewerb unter den Herstellern einführen, welcher Art Hersteller geht aus dem Bericht nicht konkret hervor. Man spricht von mehreren Autoherstellern. Wie sieht`s mit den Motoren und Zulieferern aus?
Honda bleibt der Indy Car Series doch treu, sie verlängerten um 5 Jahre. Es kreisten ja vor der Zusammenlegung der Rennserien die tollsten Gerüchte, auch dass Honda evtl. geht. Bringt mich zur nächsten Frage: was passiert mit Cosworth?
hier das komplette Release der IRL:
INDYCAR SERIES AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS ROUND TABLE TO DISCUSS NEW SPECIFICATIONS AND ENCOURAGE EXPANDED MANUFACTURER PARTICIPATION
INDIANAPOLIS, May 23, 2008 – With the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the cusp of celebrating two significant centennials, and the unification of open-wheel racing in North America complete, the IndyCar Series today announced plans to define its next generation of technical competition rules package with the ultimate goal of encouraging new manufacturer participation within the series.
An ‘IndyCar Automotive Manufacturers Round Table’ targeting senior level automotive executives will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in late June to openly discuss future IndyCar Series concepts.
The series has targeted introduction of new specifications for the 2011 season, the 100th anniversary of the first Indianapolis 500-Mile Race with a desire for multiple automobile manufacturer participation.
“Unification and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway centennials provide us with an historic opportunity to showcase the innovative spirit of IndyCar Series racing,” said Tony George, founder & CEO of the Indy Racing League. “The Indy 500 has a rich history of speed, innovation and technology, and the second century of IndyCar Series racing must continue to further that heritage.
“Now is the time to re-energize our sport and look to the future. We are committed to creating strong partnership value and opportunities for our teams by looking at relevant technology that will entice manufacturers to participate within a cost-conscious formula.”
The IndyCar Series has retained RWB of Torrance, Calif., to work in concert with the series to develop the round table. RWB’s Neil Ressler will facilitate the round table discussions. Ressler spent 34 years with theFord Motor Company, most recently as vice president and chief technical officer, Research and Vehicle Technology, before announcing his retirement in 2001.
The IndyCar Series objectives for its round table include:
Make the technical aspects of the IndyCar series more relevant to the challenges facing the automobile industry now and in the future.
Review and define the technical specifications and align them with the R&D efforts already underway by the automobile industry.
“Our approach to this round table is fresh, and we are targeting senior level automotive executives to come to Indianapolis and collectively determine the options and vision for the IndyCar Series’ next generation racing platform,” said Brian Barnhart, president of competition and racing operations for the Indy Racing League. “Our goal is to create a relevantengine platform that is strategically aligned with major automotive manufacturers’ existing and future programs and initiatives.”
“There is a true excitement about the future of the IndyCar Series on and off the racetrack that is shared by all those in the sport,” said Terry Angstadt, president, commercial division for the Indy Racing League. “Recent projects with the Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, Calif.) and the Center for Creative Studies (Detroit) have provided real inspiration for the next-generation car, and we are very excited about the possibilities.”
During today’s press briefing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar Series officials were joined by Honda Performance Development President Erik Berkman, who announced that Honda, encouraged by the unification of open-wheel racing and the opportunities it brings, plans to supply engines to the IndyCar Series for the next five years.
“Honda is pleased to be a part of the IndyCar Series as it provides both a technical challenge for our engineers and a showcase for Honda products worldwide,” said Berkman. “We are delighted by the series’ decision to welcome automotive manufacturers to Indianapolis next month to discuss the next generation of IndyCar Series racing.”