2012 on track performance

[Rick Jones]

Does anyone have a clue as to what direction Indycar wants to go in regard to how these new cars should preform? Does the series want what we currently have, cars that essentially are running flat out on ovals, where keeping momentum and close quarter driving are primary focal points of drivers, or are they leaning to establishing specifications that allow for great speeds in the straights and braking in most turns?

[Justhalc]

I don't know about ovals, but I believe Cotman has said that the new car will be 1-2 seconds faster on street/road courses

[TUBORG-fan]

I don't think they want the cars to go much faster on the ovals

[Rick Jones]

I don't think they want the cars to go much faster on the ovals

Agreed, but they can take away aero or down force/grip, making the cars quick in the straights and slower in the turns, with no faster in lap times. The question that I seek an answer for is about the on track performance, the look of racing in our future, flat out momentum pack racing, or driver skill sets that require the driver to judge when to brake and when to throttle on every lap.

[Turn13]

Agreed, but they can take away aero or down force/grip, making the cars quick in the straights and slower in the turns, with no faster in lap times.

However, it's the absolute top speed that is the greatest concern.

[irlracingfan]

...flat out momentum pack racing, or driver skill sets that require the driver to judge when to brake and when to throttle on every lap.

It takes skill and daring to drive an IndyCar in "flat out momentum pack racing" as you call it. If you doubt this, listen to Bryan Herta's comments after his third place finish at Chicagoland. Trying to make oval racing like road course racing diminishes the skills diversification that is part of the overall challenge of the IndyCar Series.

OTOH, some have advocated that the rules allow for varying wing angles, etc. in which case we may see some teams and drivers attempt to get speed on the straights while others go for cornering speed. That would dice things up, but would also increase the potential danger. Less drag means higher fuel milage, which means fewer stops on certain tracks, etc. Lots of variables for sure... The solution makes for interesting conversation, especially given that racing is ultimately about TIME, not SPEED.

[Rick Jones]

It takes skill and daring to drive an IndyCar in "flat out momentum pack racing" as you call it. If you doubt this, listen to Bryan Herta's comments after his third place finish at Chicagoland. Trying to make oval racing like road course racing diminishes the skills diversification that is part of the overall challenge of the IndyCar Series.

OTOH, some have advocated that the rules allow for varying wing angles, etc. in which case we may see some teams and drivers attempt to get speed on the straights while others go for cornering speed. That would dice things up, but would also increase the potential danger. Less drag means higher fuel milage, which means fewer stops on certain tracks, etc. Lots of variables for sure... The solution makes for interesting conversation, especially given that racing is ultimately about TIME, not SPEED.

I am not "dissing" the current formula, and in fact I have been very vocal in support of the skills and bravery of the drivers in IICS. 2012 though is a transforming year for Indycar racing and I think those that are defining the rules for the new cars have a fundamental question they must come to grips with and that is: grip or minimal/variable grip in the turns?

[Cygni]

I'm not a big fan of momentum racing. A few times a year is fun, because its different. 5 times a year is boring. The cars are too planted, too on rails, and frankly 'outside, outside, outside' isn't nearly as exciting to most people as some 'round here want to believe. Just look at the ratings.

I hope they reintroduce the driver element to the oval package, what the drivers themselves want.

[TUBORG-fan]

I'm not a big fan of momentum racing. A few times a year is fun, because its different. 5 times a year is boring. The cars are too planted, too on rails, and frankly 'outside, outside, outside' isn't nearly as exciting to most people as some 'round here want to believe. Just look at the ratings.

I hope they reintroduce the driver element to the oval package, what the drivers themselves want.

Agree 100 %

[Mr. Bean]

Well I do remember it being said that they will adjust the turbo's boost level for the 1.5 milers, other speedways, and road and street courses.

So we will see the pack racing at the 1.5 milers just like now, but I expect Iowa, Indy, Milwaukee, and motegi and ALL road and street to have faster lap times.

At long beach we saw the IndyCar lap times about 3 seconds slower than CC's. I'm hoping to see that gap closed and BETTERED. Make us argue about how good the future is gonna be, instead of the past.

[jcmark611]

I don't think they will ever make the cars "hard" to drive on the cookie cutter tracks.

I do think they will make an effort to reduce cookie cutters, if they can.

[indyguy2]

I have a fear that the faster cars on the roads and streets will make those races boring follow the leader parades. I know most people don't like the current formula, but the road and street races were pretty darn good with the 'slow' Dallara, IMHO.

[Cygni]

I have a fear that the faster cars on the roads and streets will make those races boring follow the leader parades. I know most people don't like the current formula, but the road and street races were pretty darn good with the 'slow' Dallara, IMHO.

I don't see how passing would go down with more power and the same brakes.

[Darth Airbox]

I don't see how passing would go down with more power and the same brakes.

What he said. The car will be certainly faster on road/street courses. I suspect the speeds at Indy might increase (230s maybe) but the same at the 1.5 milers, speeds at Milwaukee, New Hampshire would mostly definitely increase.

[PPGfan]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Tony Cotman's latest statement of wanting 800 HP on the road & streets. Randy Bernard also recently mentioned something to the effect that something may be in the works for track records.

(EDIT). Randy Bernarnd did not say this. It was Robin Miller who stated this in one of his Q&A's.

I think it's pretty damn cool with the direction they've gone with everything. They couldn't have done a better job so far as what I see. Lookin forward to 2011 and beyond. Couldn't be happier to see some quick turbocharged IndyCars again.