Randy Bernard

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard the introduction to the 2012 American open-wheel season at the Hilbert Theater in Indianapolis on Monday night, stating at the presentation’s conclusion his personal commitment to staying with IndyCar until the Hulman George family asks him to leave and his commitment to making IndyCar a success. The presentation introduced the new car, three new engines, a new television partner and several new sponsors during the two-hour event that was also streamed online and translated by Ortsbo worldwide.

With the coming season IndyCar will present a new chassis and engine combination featuring Honda, Chevrolet and Lotus engines. Chief among the hardware changes for 2012 on the new Dallara DW12 racecar are:
• Bigger driver’s cockpit and better padding
• Rear-wheel pods to prevent tire-to-tire contact
• Wider side pods to prevent tire-to-tire contact and allow for more sponsor logo space
• V-6 Turbocharged engines making 550-700 horsepower, direct-fuel injection and 2.2 L displacement running on 100% ethanol.
• Two-pedal accelerator and brake operation with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifter for the clutch and gear changes

The State of the Series presentation was streamed online to millions and translated in many languages by Ortsbo

“There have been a few teething problems, and we’ve had to work harder the last six months than ever before,” said Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon of the new car’s shake-down on the test track. “It will be exciting racing this year.”

Defending IndyCar series champion Dario Franchitti added, “Already the car is quicker than the previous model on the road courses.” EJ Viso told AR1.com that the handling problems with the new car have been much improved.  It is now two seconds faster at Sebring since the first test.

“Going on the track at Indianapolis was an eye-opener,” he continued, confirming the car was a real handful on the ovals. “There’s some work still to be done there; but, the car is really coming along now. I’m looking forward to driving it this year.”

On the heels of IndyCar’s 28 % increase in television viewership and a gain of 9 % in live attendance in 2012, the series announced six events on the ABC television network (St. Petersburg, Indianapolis, Belle Isle, Milwaukee, Toronto, Mid-Ohio). NBC Sports Network will carry the remaining 10 events, plus the network has announced plans to showcase a driver over the competition weekend for a new 30-minute show televised weekly. Also, NBC will cover Indianapolis qualifying weekend on May 19th and May 20th, in addition to Carb Day on May 25th.

Although there are only 6 or 7 cars confirmed so far, the entire Firestone Indy Lights schedule will be broadcast live in 2012.

Among the events highlighted on the 2012 schedule was the on-again, off-again street race in Baltimore. Bernard reiterated the IndyCar series intent to work with the new promoter to make a successful return to the circuit on September 2nd.

Firestone, which has now re-upped for the tire contract through 2014. Deals were also announced for:
A new IndyCar Discover Credit Card
LIDS managing merchandising for IndyCar
Fuzzy's Vodka official Vodka of IndyCar.

Mark Koretzky of IndyCar announced a revamped series website (debuting in 2 stages, the first uploading in late March and the 2nd before the Indy 500) and a new mobile app (including the iPhone and iPad) that features live telemetry information from the racecars and an innovative “augmented reality” function that allows interactive features on your device as you pan it in front of on and off-track functions at the track.  For example, it will allow a fan to hold up their iPhone or iPad as a car passes by and get information about that car and driver on their screen live.  This is a first of its kind technology never seen before.

Bernard denied rumors of financial problems for IndyCar and a sale of Indianapolis Motor Speedway by the Hulman family.  He stated firmly that the series will have at least 26 cars on the grid for the 2012 season and the full commitment of the Hulman George family.