IRL Engages the “Auto” Gear in AutoRacing
Written by Allan Brewer · June 26, 2008
Though they didn’t come right out and say it, the future of the Indy Racing League (and automobiledom in general) is linked to the place where its engine-suppliers want their businesses to go.
It’s an image that must make the ghosts of Louis Meyer and Mr. Offenhauser smile: the IndyCar Series listening intently to how modern-day manufacturers of automotive power want to define the next generation of personal mobility.
After a one-day automotive manufacturers’ roundtable and brainstorming session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday (June 24th) IRL officials Terry Angstadt on the commercial side and Brian Barnhart in competition emerged bouyant at prospects for more ‘auto’ in the ‘autoracing’ equation–something that going green and enlightened consideration of the environment (including the audible environment) has in common with these initiatives.
“We talked a lot about our schedule, the diversity of tracks that we run and versatility required by our equipment, the challenges faced by that,” said Barnhart in a press teleconfernce afterwards. “And then we listened to them talk about specifications, whether it’s turbo charged or normally aspirated or V‑6 or a V‑8 or V‑12 or whatever. We talked about alternative fuels and all that type of stuff.”
“It was a really good day and exceeded our expectations from what we thought we might get into,” he finished.
It’s the most exciting development reported yet from the open-wheel merger, and offers promise of a brighter, more-relevant future for competitive motorsport.
One only look at the excesses and abuses of Formula 1 to understand the inevitable destination of technology run wild and wonder that the unfettered and all-consuming thing can get out of its own way.
Nope, not here in the USA, say Angstadt and Barnhart; and rightly so, as the people who actually build the cars with an eye toward the future have gotten their ear and put their minds aligned.
Nearly twenty engine/powerplant builders visited the Brickyard for a conversation that has been cast in parochial terms as ‘turbo’ vs ‘normally-aspirated’.
Far more likely, though, with Chevy set to introduce its mass production ‘Volt’ compact in 2010 and baby hydrogen-fuel celled Hondas running around Southern California now, is the prospect of some genre-changing and fundamental changes ahead.
Race fans might envision the current ethanol phase of liquid fuel usage as merely the evolution from competitive diesel-power (a sight frequent in winners’ circles thanks to Audi’s dominating R-series international sports cars) and the era of methanol and/or high-test gasoline that preceded it.
Ahead are technologies in race cars that promise to boggle the mind: combo liquid fuel/electric powerhouses that might actually find their way into production vehicles, for example.
It’s the kind of movement toward energy-source transformation in motorsports that cannot be denied; and comes right-timed in an era when your neighbor stands proudly in the driveway aside his Prius, open-toed sandals and all, and proclaims, “I’m saving the environment, man! Look what I’m driving here!”
Autoracing has always been about ‘improving the breed’, whether that be the mechanicals or the human element.
If the promise that emerged from the IMS technology conference proves true, auto racing’s stewards are headed toward the breeding barn with a plan for a new master race of competitive power that will define human transportation (and our experience of personal freedom) for years to come.
Bring it on, IndyCar.
Bring it on.
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This is truely the type of direction that top racing series around the world should be involved in. It is in this spirit that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in the first place. Rock on Indy Car!!!