IRL: Paul Tracy critical of Push To Pass device

IndyCar racing most outspoken driver, Paul Tracy is at it again. The Toronto-native, who used to use his “chrome horn” - referring to the chrome bumper of streetcar – for hitting the car in front, criticized IRL series push-to-pass regulation engine modification on his web page for being less than effective.

Describing an overtaking manoeuvre at Mid-Ohio, he wrote: “I hear they (television) didn’t show me passing Viso, but it was quite a good manoeuvre – I drafted him, hit the push to pass (which feels like…well, nothing to be honest) and then outbraked him.”

“Going back to the subject of push to pass: it’s okay, but it’s nothing that would get an ex-Champ Car driver excited. It’s worth 1mph, maybe 2, down the straightaway. The problem is, it gives you an extra 200 revs at the top but by then the motor has gone past its power band anyhow.”

“So at 9800 rpm, this boost is worth 10hp, but at 10,500, it feels like around 3hp. It can help you get a little run on a guy, but it’s not like you’re going to do 6mph faster like in Champ Car.”