IndyCar: Series to track test new car next week

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IndyCar’s vice president of technology Will Phillips confirmed that a prototype of the new Indy car will be shakendown next week.

The first unit of the new IndyCar Safety Cell will be shipped to the temporary Dallara facility in Speedway, Ind., for assembly.

The initial on-track test, with reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon behind the wheel, is scheduled for August 8-9.

Phillips said the session will be a shakedown of the chassis that’s been mated to a Honda 2.2-liter V-6.

Five other two-day sessions on both road courses and ovals are scheduled before the engine manufacturers – Honda, Chevrolet and Lotus – commence on-track testing in early October.

For the purposes of testing, the chassis is still a prototype. Dallara’s winning proposal to the ICONIC Advisory Committee in 2010 included a uniform chassis with the potential of multiple road/street circuit and oval body kits. Aero kits could be supplied by any number of manufacturers or individuals upon receiving IndyCar approval.