Turbos For Indy?

[cosworth151]

The next generation of engines was the primary subject of this week's Indy Racing League round table meeting with manufacturers, and league officials came away with a clear direction of where others want the sport to head.

"When we heard the enthusiasm around the room as to what turbochargers could bring to the series, I don't think that will be a barrier at all," said Terry Angstadt, the president of the IRL's commercial division.

Brian Barnhart, the IRL's president of competition and operations, said that while turbochargers will come at a cost, they are more adaptable to the sport's various types of circuits and create a natural muffler.

"It's nice to turn our decibels down a bit," he said. "They have a nice sound." 

Nice sound? 

Angstadt and Barnhart declined to reveal additional specifics about the preliminary meeting, including the identity of a dozen-plus potential engine manufacturers, and said no decisions were made.

"Granted, we didn't get into a lot of details, and the devil will be in those details," Barnhart said. "But certainly from a first meeting standpoint, (there was) a lot more commonality than disagreement."

The IRL has used normally aspirated engines since 1997 and returned to 3.5 liters last year.

But it's clear the subject is on the fast track: A formula is expected to be announced this fall because manufacturers need about two years to develop and test products.

Unification of U.S.-based open-wheel racing drove attendance at the meeting, said Barnhart, who estimated a 26-car field could support three to five engine builders. "But we won't limit it," he said.

[Dare]

Wouldn't it be nice to get back to more than
one engine,I always thought that's what made
Indy exciting

I wonder if they plan on sticking to just
one chasis

[cosworth151]

I think a chassis builders meeting is on the schedule, too. They are also meeting with race promoters and current & potential sponsors.

[cosworth151]

From what I've been able to find out, there were 14 or 15 manufacturers involved in the round table meeting. Sources from inside the IRL have said they expect anywhere from 4 to 9 to be involved (depending on whom you're talking to at the moment.) Displacement, fuel type and turbos are all being discussed.

They are still looking at a single tire supplier (prob. Firestone / Bridgestone). The current talk is for a single chassis, although that could change.

The Indianapolis Star newspaper has hinted that it will release the list of attendees in its report on the IRL race at Richmond, Virginia. That race is tonight (28 June). We'll see if they follow through.

[cosworth151]

Nothing yet in the way of names, but they are now saying that it was 9 "manufacturers" and 5 "race shop engine builders."

On the chassis front, it looks like Dallara will be the sole supplier. The thinking at the IRL is that a chassis manufacturer does not bring the marketing exposure to a series that an engine manufacturer does. Plus, a chassis manufacturer has difficulty making money if it's only selling cars to half of the IRL's field.