What's next? That's the phrase driving the masses, whether it's the iPad or clean technology. New is stale and even advertising new and improved has become passé.
The DeltaWing Racing Cars concept for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series chassis, introduced to the media at the Chicago Auto Show, is definitely next. In fact, its name was generated from the Greek for change.
Incorporated into a sleek silver package are front wheels much closer together (24 inches) than the present car, a wider rear track (70 inches) and single fin that replaces the inverted aerofoil. Juxtaposed to concepts released in the past week by Dallara Automobil and Swift Engineering, and Lola's written plan, there's no mistaking that DeltaWing is the more radical of the two design paths identified last summer by Indy Racing League president of competition and racing operations Brian Barnhart.
"Today marks a fundamental shift in how race fans and the general public will view all racing cars in the future; this is a game changer" DeltaWing CEO Dan Partel said. "This radical prototype takes open-wheel racing to a new level from both an engineering standpoint and the overall spectator experience."
DeltaWing chief technology officer Ben Bowlby, chief engineer for Chip Ganassi Racing and a former Lola chief designer, said by targeting reduced aerodynamic drag and lighter weight, the DeltaWing design would offer high performance on the racetrack with only half the engine power of its recent predecessors (increasing the fuel efficiency).
Bowlby said he expects to "sell a complete car, including engine, for approximately $600,000." It would be built in Indianapolis, though Bowlby said DeltaWing Racing Cars would not be a chassis manufacturer. It would create a platform that would encourage multiple manufacturers and suppliers to contribute.
"We are confident that this car will outperform the current generation IndyCar and do it in a more environmentally friendly way," Partel said. "Auto racing has always been a powerful marketing tool for propelling new technology into the hearts and minds of consumers. It is our goal to make participation in the series highly attractive to the automobile manufacturers as well as the fuel, technology, information and entertainment corporate sectors."
Partel said he expects a prototype to be available for on-track testing in August.
"Today's unveiling gives us four exciting and competing concepts for the IZOD IndyCar Series," said Barnhart, who was joined at the unveiling by Indy Racing League CEO Randy Bernard, league commercial division president Terry Angstadt, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation CEO Jeffrey Belskus and league vice president of marketing John Lewis. "Each raises different challenges and each offers new direction."
Since 2007, Indy Racing League officials have entertained presentations - including fully funded projects by students at the Art Center of Design in Pasadena, Calif., and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit - geared toward the next generation of chassis for the IZOD IndyCar Series. For months, the sanctioning body has been in discussions with DeltaWing, Dallara, Lola and Swift Engineering about designing, manufacturing and supplying the new chassis to replace the Dallara introduced in 2003.
"Each raises different challenges, and each offers new direction," Barnhart said. "As always, the safety of our drivers, crews and spectators is the No. 1 priority. Other factors the league has laid out are cost and economic viability, raceable, American made, less mass/more efficient, relevant technology, modern look and green. Each of the four will be evaluated using these criteria.
"We are excited by the challenge before us and now begins the process to work through each of the four contenders to decide on the program that best serves the long-term interest of the sport."
Graham Rahal, among several IZOD IndyCar Series drives and team owners attending the launch, looked at the DeltaWing from multiple angles and attempted to mentally picture himself behind the wheel at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"The design is revolutionary," said Rahal, 21. "We have never seen an open-wheel racing car that looks like this. Is it going to be newsworthy? Yes. Is it going to catch eyeballs? Yes. Plus, there's good space for sponsors on it.
"From a driver's point of view, from all the simulations I've heard about, the performance of the car is not going to be a concern at all."
Said Dreyer & Reinbold Racing co-owner and former IZOD IndyCar Series driver Robbie Buhl: "From the team owner side of things, as we look to the future we have to get things in line with what the cost is to compete here. And if we can do that, it's going to open us up to a lot more people being a part of this business, and that opens up to a greater fan base, too."
