Randy B: "Speed records to fall at the 500"

[MeanMachine]

This is the SINGLE BIGGEST announcement I have read in YEARS! Sure its talk, but it means one thing, they really are listening to us. I sat in both of the ICONIC Fan Forums at Indy and Texas hosted by Eddie Gossage and this was one of the #1 topics that was consistently brought up. WOW! Can it be done, who knows, but the thought is there, it's being talked about, and this woudl absolutely AWAKEN the Month of May.

Bernard pushing for speed

Randy Bernard joked that he might have recently "overloaded my mouth," but he's pushing forward on the subject nonetheless.
IndyCar's CEO said at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando, Fla., that he wants all the Indianapolis 500 speed records to fall in May.
"I'm not sure if I can pull that off, but I'm trying my hardest," he said.
Bernard said he has the support of the company's board of directors and staff, including Indianapaolis Motor Speedway boss Jeff Belskus, and the equipment manufacturers. The key will be if Honda can make it happen.
Arie Luyendyk turned a lap of 239.260 mph in practice in 1996, then set the track records for qualifying at 237.498 (one lap) and 236.986 (four-lap average).
Speeds in qualifying haven't exceeded 230 mph since 2003. The pursuit of speed was long the allure of the Speedway.
Luyendyk has advocated the return of high speeds to ignite a spark to the sport, but Ganassi isn't sold on it, particularly with so much of it dependent on weather conditions.
"It's a nice sound bite, but I don't know that the reality of that is in the cards," he said.

[indyrjc]

This is the SINGLE BIGGEST announcement I have read in YEARS! Sure its talk, but it means one thing, they really are listening to us. I sat in both of the ICONIC Fan Forums at Indy and Texas hosted by Eddie Gossage and this was one of the #1 topics that was consistently brought up. WOW! Can it be done, who knows, but the thought is there, it's being talked about, and this woudl absolutely AWAKEN the Month of May.

Bernard pushing for speed
Randy Bernard joked that he might have recently "overloaded my mouth," but he's pushing forward on the subject nonetheless.
IndyCar's CEO said at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando, Fla., that he wants all the Indianapolis 500 speed records to fall in May.
"I'm not sure if I can pull that off, but I'm trying my hardest," he said.
Bernard said he has the support of the company's board of directors and staff, including Indianapaolis Motor Speedway boss Jeff Belskus, and the equipment manufacturers. The key will be if Honda can make it happen.
Arie Luyendyk turned a lap of 239.260 mph in practice in 1996, then set the track records for qualifying at 237.498 (one lap) and 236.986 (four-lap average).
Speeds in qualifying haven't exceeded 230 mph since 2003. The pursuit of speed was long the allure of the Speedway.
Luyendyk has advocated the return of high speeds to ignite a spark to the sport, but Ganassi isn't sold on it, particularly with so much of it dependent on weather conditions.
"It's a nice sound bite, but I don't know that the reality of that is in the cards," he said.

Of course, this has all been hashed about in the other thread but the more I think about it this smacks of gimmick. Unless, Bernard is going to allow these speeds to stay around for good under the 2012 rules (which he could very easily do) then this is like a bad joke where the engineers and cars are allowed to achieve their full potential to grab a few headlines for one weekend only before everything goes back to today's speeds from then on. Talk about a letdown in 2012 and beyond. Racing used to be about drivers, mechanics, and cars pushing limits and not just about being restrained (or not) by someone grandstanding for a new track record that no one will ever have a chance to beat in the future. If Bernard allows this to happen then the rules should stay the same from here on out and the 1 and 4 lap Qualification records at Indianapolis should be on the table every year from 2011 on. Otherwise Indy racing will rapidly become more and more like WWE than a real and legitimate sport.

[preacher]

I'm against higher speeds. I like my drivers hale and hearty. Most competitive race under the current formula was in, my opinion, 2007. And the speeds weren't track records. I think they haven't done market research if they think higher speeds mean more people at qualifying.

What are they going to do with Texas if they change the engine formula for track records. That will be insane.

Say whatever negative thing you want about Barnhart, but he has consistently and loyally looked out for driver's wellbeing.

[irnlsfan]

Even just getting the cars over 230 again will be a good thing. No way should these cars be going 220, that is so 20 years ago.

And please get rid of the mandatory wing angles at tracks and let them go!

[TimmyZ1]

I'd like to see this wait until 2012 but if Honda going to do this I'd which they uncork the motors for the R/C's instead. This would make some of the races that seem like parades a lot more interest

[Grizzlor]

I don't see the benefit in Honda going back and using old engines and all that. I see Randy's perspective in being the ultimate showman of course. That's why he's terrific.

[The Stickman]

I don't see the benefit in Honda going back and using old engines and all that. I see Randy's perspective in being the ultimate showman of course. That's why he's terrific.

I said in the other thread that Honda might be looking at alot of entires for the 500. And turn around for the engines has always been tight. So by using an engine other than used during the season it would be easier on them. The Indy engines could be prepared well ahead of time. The races from the last race before the 500 now can have all of May to get the rebuilds done in time for Texas.

[Danny Noonan]

I'm against higher speeds. I like my drivers hale and hearty. Most competitive race under the current formula was in, my opinion, 2007. And the speeds weren't track records. I think they haven't done market research if they think higher speeds mean more people at qualifying.

What are they going to do with Texas if they change the engine formula for track records. That will be insane.

Say whatever negative thing you want about Barnhart, but he has consistently and loyally looked out for driver's wellbeing.

I think it would be an Indy only situation. They would still control speeds at Texas and other banked tracks.

[Grizzlor]

I said in the other thread that Honda might be looking at alot of entires for the 500. And turn around for the engines has always been tight. So by using an engine other than used during the season it would be easier on them. The Indy engines could be prepared well ahead of time. The races from the last race before the 500 now can have all of May to get the rebuilds done in time for Texas.

That makes sense, although there seemed to be a question about the availability of parts, as well as the age of these things. Is it a good idea to run engines that have been sitting around for 7 1/2 years?

[The Stickman]

That makes sense, although there seemed to be a question about the availability of parts, as well as the age of these things. Is it a good idea to run engines that have been sitting around for 7 1/2 years?

Nothing a refresh wouldn't help.

[SpeedwayRyan]

Nothing a refresh wouldn't help.

100% agreed...engines much older than these get dug up and used all the time. Rebuild 'em and run 'em...nothing wrong with that.

[Mario4ever]

Even just getting the cars over 230 again will be a good thing. No way should these cars be going 220, that is so 20 years ago.

And please get rid of the mandatory wing angles at tracks and let them go!

Absolutely. Getting rid of the mandatory wing angles would be a huge step in the right direction on a number of levels.

[JMFVET]

Absolutely. Getting rid of the mandatory wing angles would be a huge step in the right direction on a number of levels.

I strongly agree.

For Indy, I think the discussion of new records is great and I would love to see it. However, I think it is really somewhat of a publicity stunt. RB is sincere in his desire but so many factors come in to play that even if they go B-alls out they may not set the record. As long as they go faster than previous years they will have "made the effort." I also think that as much as Honda wants the record, they want to maintain their years long record of no blown engines even more. If they let the engines loose, one might blow and that would be bad press for Honda just as Chevy and Lotus competition arrive.

[Grizzlor]

At Indy, the teams are allowed to change wing angles, though as you say there are limits. However, on all other ovals, the wing angles are fixed, which I don't like.

[Qdoba Addict]

So manufactured speed limits are bad but manufactured speed records are good?

I am all for a new track record as long as it is part of "open" competition such as between the new 2012 cars. Idieally the specs would be much looser than 2012 but what can we do right?

Dusting off old engines, running methanol in spec Dallaras is just too much of a gimmick for me.

Did Randy dope bulls to set rodeo records?