The IndyCar Series has concluded its two-month testing trial at the Sebring short road course with the presence of both Honda and Chevrolet pursuing the development of their engines while evaluating the new McLaren ECU and its associated electronics.
Of the two manufacturers present, Honda was by far the busiest with Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Simon Pagenaud, Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, and Takuma Sato, on behalf of Rahal Letterman Lanigan.
Chevrolet conducted its tests again with KV Racing’s Tony Kanaan and Andretti Autosports Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Although the new DW12 chassis has still to face some developmental problems, the engine manufacturers believe that the series won’t suffer if the new chassis initially proves to be slower than expected on ovals.
Meanwhile, Dallara officials said the company will absorb the costs associated with producing new suspension components for the DW12 in an effort to optimize the weight distribution of the new car, especially for superspeedways.
Also, wind tunnel testing will be conducted in early January -- comparing data from the 2011 Indianapolis 500 car of Target Chip Ganassi Racing and the new car – in an effort to resolve superspeedway aerodynamic drag issues exhibited in the chassis validation and engine manufacturer development.
Fifteen teams already picked up their first chassis on December 15. Dallara is expected to produce 60 chassis before the start of the season March 25. The next 15 chassis will be ready for pick-up January 15.
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| Photo: LAT for IndyCar |
Of the two manufacturers present, Honda was by far the busiest with Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Simon Pagenaud, Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, and Takuma Sato, on behalf of Rahal Letterman Lanigan.
Chevrolet conducted its tests again with KV Racing’s Tony Kanaan and Andretti Autosports Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Although the new DW12 chassis has still to face some developmental problems, the engine manufacturers believe that the series won’t suffer if the new chassis initially proves to be slower than expected on ovals.
Meanwhile, Dallara officials said the company will absorb the costs associated with producing new suspension components for the DW12 in an effort to optimize the weight distribution of the new car, especially for superspeedways.
Also, wind tunnel testing will be conducted in early January -- comparing data from the 2011 Indianapolis 500 car of Target Chip Ganassi Racing and the new car – in an effort to resolve superspeedway aerodynamic drag issues exhibited in the chassis validation and engine manufacturer development.
Fifteen teams already picked up their first chassis on December 15. Dallara is expected to produce 60 chassis before the start of the season March 25. The next 15 chassis will be ready for pick-up January 15.
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| Photo: LAT for IndyCar |