2012 IndyCar Series
2012 IndyCar season | |
---|---|
File:Izodindycar.png | |
Season | |
Races | TBA |
Start date | TBA |
End date | TBA |
Awards | |
The 2012 Izod IndyCar Series[1] season will be the 101st season of American open wheel racing. Its premier event will be the 96th Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Sunday, May 27.
The ICONIC Project
The 2012 season will see the implementation of Indycar's new ICONIC Plan (Innovative, Competitive, Open-Wheel, New, Industry-Relevant, Cost-Effective), the biggest change to the sport in recent history. The existing car used through 2010, a 2003-model Dallara, and normally-aspirated V-8 engines (required since 1997) will be retired permanently.
The ICONIC committee was composed of experts and executives from racing and technical fields: Randy Bernard, General William R. Looney III, Brian Barnhart, Gil de Ferran, Tony Purnell, Eddie Gossage, Neil Ressler, Tony Cotman and Rick Long.[2]
IndyCar accepted proposals from BAT Engineering, Dallara, DeltaWing Racing Cars, Lola and Swift for chassis design.[3] On July 14, 2010, the final decision was made public.[3]
New chassis
Under the new ICONIC regulations, all teams will compete with a core rolling chassis, called the IndyCar Safety Cell,[3] developed by Italian designer Dallara. Teams will then outfit the chassis with separate body work, referred to as Aero Kits, which consist of front and rear wings, sidepods, engine cowlings.[3] Development of Aero Kits is open to any manufacturer, with all packages to be made available to all teams for a minimum price. ICONIC committee member Tony Purnell gave an open invitation to car manufacturers and companies such as Lockheed Martin and General Electric to develop kits.[4]
The IndyCar Safety cell will be capped at a price of $349,000[5] and will be assembled at a new Dallara facility in Speedway, Indiana. Aero Kits will be capped at $70,000.[5] Teams have the option of buying a complete Dallara safety cell/aero kit for a discounted price.[5]
Engine formula
The engines will be 2.2 L V-6 twin turbocharged engines, tuned to produce a range of 550-750 HP.[6] All engines will run E85 fuel. From 2007-2011, the series utilized 100% fuel grade ethanol.[7]
The formula would allow hybrid systems, KERS system similar to Formula 1 and other engine enhancements. The "push to pass" feature in 2012 will allow a limited horsepower gain up to 100 HP as opposed to the current "overtake assist" which only provides 20 HP.
Suppliers
The initial list of potential suppliers included Ford, Cosworth, and Mazda.[8] Honda became the first supplier to commit to providing engines for 2012 and beyond. Their proposed twin turbo V6 will be developed by HPD.[9] On August 19, 2010, Cosworth announced their interest in providing an inline-four engine.[10] On November 12, 2010, Chevrolet was confirmed as an engine supplier for 2012 with a twin turbo V6.[11] The powerplant will be built in a joint effort with Ilmor,[11] and will be introduced in a partnership with Penske Racing.[11] Chevrolet will also provide an Aero Kit.[12]
The third engine supplier was announced November 18, 2010 at the LA Auto Show, just prior to the league deadline. Lotus will build an engine and an Aero Kit.[7] The engine will be built in a partnership with KV Racing[13] and possibly Cosworth.[14]
|
Schedule development
Existing race contracts
- The São Paulo Indy 300 has a contract through 2019.[15]
- The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will continue through 2013.[16] City officials look to extend the contract through 2014.[17]
- An agreement has been signed with the city of Long Beach to extend the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach to 2015 with an option through 2020.[18]
- Barber Motorsports Park signed a three-year deal through 2012.[19]
- The contract for the Baltimore Grand Prix runs through 2015.[20][21]
New races
- Quebec politician and Minister of Employment Sam Hamad has proposed a street race in Quebec City.[22] The proposal has gained the backing of Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume and IndyCar driver Alex Tagliani. IndyCar tepresentatives among them Tony Cotman, were in Quebec City in May 2010 to evaluate the possibility of holding an event in the city in 2011. Promoter and owner of FAZZT Race Team Andre Azzi is optimistic and believes that the IRL brass is keen about having a urban race held in the old city with a similar style to the Monaco Grand Prix.[23] The circuit would be established on the lower part of Quebec, in the Old Port and Bassin Louise. IRL CEO Randy Bernard said that the event is a possibility for the 2012 schedule.[24]
- A revival of the Cleveland race was discussed for years.[25] It would have involved a unique twin race weekend, with one race Friday night on a new oval layout, and a second race on the traditional road course layout.[26][27] Due to lack of local business support as of August 2010, the target date is 2012.[28][29]
- A second revival of Detroit was discussed for 2011, but is more likely in 2012.[30]
- Officials at promoter Mi-Jack Promotions are confident that the Grand Prix of Houston will be part of the 2012 schedule.[31]
- The Octane Racing Group, promoters of the Canadian Grand Prix, NAPA Auto Parts 200, and Honda Indy Edmonton, would like to add an additional street race in Calgary for 2012.
- Randy Bernard said that talks are underway with Michigan, Laguna Seca, and Road America.
- The league is exploring a race in Qingdao, China. The inaugural event would be a street race, and later editions would move to a proposed 400,000 to 500,000-seat oval/road course facility for 2012.[32][33][34][35]
- Terry Angstadt travelled to Porto Alegre, Brazil on November 25, 2010 and discussed with local authorities about a second Brazilian event in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost Brazilian State. The race could be called "GP Mercosul", after the Common Market of South America.[36] The race reportedly would take place on March 12, 2012 as the season opener.[37]
Discontinued Races
- Twin Ring Motegi will not return in 2012.[38]
2012 IndyCar series schedule
Rnd | Date | Race name | Track | Location | Time (ET) | TV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | May 27 | 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Speedway, Indiana | TBA | TBA |
- | TBA | Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach | Streets of Long Beach | Long Beach, California | TBA | TBA |
- | TBA | Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | Streets of St. Petersburg | St. Petersburg, Florida | TBA | TBA |
- | TBA | Baltimore Grand Prix | Streets of Baltimore | Baltimore, Maryland | TBA | TBA |
- | TBA | São Paulo Indy 300 | Streets of São Paulo | São Paulo, Brazil | TBA | TBA |
- | TBA | Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama | Barber Motorsports Park | Birmingham, Alabama | TBA | TBA |
Teams and drivers
All chassis are composed of a Dallara "IndyCar Safety Cell" base and an aero kit of the team's choice. Two aero kits are allowed per entry, per season. Cars will be described as "Aero Kit-Engine".
Team | Aero Kit(s) | Engine | Tire | No. | Driver(s) | Rounds |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A. J. Foyt Enterprises | TBA | TBA | F | TBA | Vitor Meira | TBA |
Andretti Autosport | TBA | TBA | F | TBA | Marco Andretti | TBA |
TBA | Ryan Hunter-Reay | TBA | ||||
HVM Racing | TBA | TBA | F | TBA | Simona de Silvestro | TBA |
Panther Racing | TBA | TBA | F | TBA | J. R. Hildebrand | TBA |
Sam Schmidt Motorsports | TBA | TBA | F | TBA | Alex Tagliani | TBA |
Team Penske | TBA | Chevrolet | F | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Team and driver news
- Team Penske: Team Penske will run Chevrolet engines beginning in 2012.
- Andretti Autosport: Tony Kanaan was signed to a multi-year deal with AGR before the 2009 season, but was released from his contract at the end of 2010. Danica Patrick's contract with the team has an option for 2012.[39] Marco Andretti will be in the 3rd year of a 4-year contract with the team in 2012 along with his sponsor Venom Energy.[40][41] Ryan Hunter-Reay signed with Andretti Autosport through the 2012 Indycar Series season.[42]
- Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Driver Alex Tagliani will be in the 3rd year of a 4-year contract with the team in 2012.[43]
- A.J. Foyt Enterprises: Vitor Meira announced via his Twitter account on December 2, 2010 that he had signed with the team for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.[44]
- Panther Racing: 2009 Indy Lights champion J. R. Hildebrand signed a multi-year deal in 2011 to drive the #4 National Guard car for the team.[45]
- HVM Racing: Team owner Keith Wiggins has secured multi-year sponsorship to return with Simona de Silvestro for the 2011 season and beyond.[46]
- Wayne Taylor Racing: Grand-Am Series team Wayne Taylor Racing is currently negotiating with two companies to obtain sponsorship to join the series full-time in 2012.[47]
References
- ^ IndyCar lands Title Sponsor, indystar.com, November 3, 2009
- ^ "echnology ICONIC Advisory Committee". IndyCar.com. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ^ a b c d "2012 car strategy embraces innovation". IndyCar.com. 2010-07-14. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ^ http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85270
- ^ a b c "Dallara named IndyCar chassis supplier for 2012". AutoWeek.com. 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ^ "INDYCAR: 2012 Engine Rules Announced". SPEED. 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ a b c d "Manufacturer competition blooms with Lotus". IndyCar.com. 2010-11-18. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ "INDYCAR: 2012 Engine Has Manufacturers Listening". SPEED. 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ a b c "Honda adopts new engine formula for 2012". IndyCar.com. 2010-08-07. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ "INDYCAR: Cosworth 2012 Q&A". SPEED. 2010-08-19. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ a b c d "Chevrolet revs up new engine for 2012 car". IndyCar.com. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ a b "ECONOMAKI: Chevrolet To Make Welcomed IndyCar Return". National Speed Sport News. 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ a b c "Lotus to manufacture engines for IndyCar Series beginning in 2012". Sports Illustrated. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ a b c "IndyCar: Lotus to badge engines in 2012, will compete against Honda and Chevy". AutoWeek. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ "Brazil and its drivers pumped as IndyCar invades Sao Paulo". usatoday.com. 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- ^ "Event Extension". indycar.com. 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
- ^ "Grand Prix is a winner for St. Petersburg". indycar.com. 2009-04-06. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ Oreovicz, John (2008-04-16). "Champ Car finale signals new start for Long Beach Grand Prix". ESPN. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ "Indy Car race coming to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama". al.com. 2009-07-26. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ "Series roars into Baltimore in 2011". indycar.com. 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
- ^ "Details of Baltimore Grand Prix expected Wednesday". baltimoresun.com. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
- ^ "Hamad rêve d'IndyCar". canoe.com. 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
- ^ Indycar series pays a visit to Quebec city
- ^ "The Way It is New Hampshire & IndyCar's evolving schedule". gordonkirby.com. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ "Live Chat with Robin Miller". speedtv.com. 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ^ "Schedule for 2010 still a work in progress". IndyStar.com. 2009-07-06. Retrieved 2009-07-08. [dead link ]
- ^ "INDYCAR: Miller Says Cleveland Considering Combo Oval/Road Course Event!". speedtv.com. 2009-05-17. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ "Grand Prix of Cleveland". cleveland.com. 2009-06-24. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ "Is time running out on reviving Cleveland's tradition of open-wheel racing?". Elton Alexander. The Plain Dealer. 2010-07-11. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ [1] - Detroit News, June 27, 2010
- ^ "Houston expected to miss IndyCar in 2011". Houston Chronicle. 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
- ^ "IRL thinking big in China". ibj.com. 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
- ^ "China in IRL's future?". indystar.com. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-04-27. [dead link ]
- ^ "http://sports.yahoo.com/irl/news?slug=ap-irl-schedule&prov=ap&type=lgns". Associated Press. 2009-06-23. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
{{cite news}}
: External link in
(help) [dead link ]|title=
- ^ Will the IRL go international? - Fox Sports, July 2, 2009
- ^ http://amigosdavelocidade.uol.com.br/index.php?action=showDetails&id=9250
- ^ http://www.correiodopovo.com.br/impressao.Aspx?Noticia=252760
- ^ http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/41218-sayonara-twin-ring-motegi/
- ^ Beer, Matt (2009-11-30). "Andretti announces new Patrick deal". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
- ^ "Venom Energy Drink Signs Multi-Year Sponsorship With Andretti Autosport". PR Newswire. Venom Energy. 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
- ^ "Marco Andretti, the Twitterview". Pressdog. Pressdog. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
- ^ "Hunter-Reay stays with Andretti Autosport".
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (2009-08-28). "Newest entrant". IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2010/12/08/dec-8-on-sarah-vitor-and-hildebrand/
- ^ http://www.pantherracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=40736
- ^ http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-simona-returns-to-hvm-with-new-sponsor/
- ^ http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-wayne-taylor-racing-aiming-for-2012-program/