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Will this be the next generation IndyCar?UPDATE See feature article for an update on this rumor.
05/22/09 On display in the Indy Speedway media center today was a concept model car of the next generation IndyCar. The concept was developed by Dave Marek who heads up the Acura design studio in Pasadena, California. He was involved with the design competition with the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA (The other college was the College of Creative Studies in Detroit) that the league engaged but took it one step further. Everyone seems to love it, even the drivers who all got to see it in NY City this week during the Times Square event. The model shown below is an exact 1/4-scale model that is used in Wind Tunnels.
The design hits all the key points that the next generation car should be:
It is futuristic looking (very much so)
It offers increased driver protection (note the sidepod design)
It reduces the chances of wheel-to-wheel interlocking (note sidepod design)
It generates most of its downforce from the undertray, which is less affected by turbulence from the car in front (Note the huge diffuser exit tunnels and recall the article I wrote with Dr. Mark Handford on this very topic many years ago.)
The wings are small so they generate less turbulence for the cars following, which increases the chance for passing.
The sidepods offer a huge amount of real estate for sponsor logos
If Dallara can build this car the IRL will have hit a home run Mark C. reporting from Indy
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