IRL freezes IndyCar specifications

As world stock and credit markets continue to exhibit extreme levels of volatility, the IRL has decided that any technical changes which will necessitate near term expenditures by the teams will be suspended until the League and the teams can better assess the effects of the current economic situation.

They suspended implementation of the 2009 suspension changes until the country returns to a more stable environment. Changes to radiators and driveshafts that are under consideration (which they feel will be of genuine benefit to the teams and League) will be discussed with the teams in the next few weeks prior to a decision concerning implementation. One change involves a new exhaust system that Honda has been developing over the last several months. This system is effective in managing the noise levels of the current IndyCar® Series cars. A reduction of 9-10 decibels has been recorded at some tracks during testing of the system.

In order to make the cars as fan friendly as possible, this new system will be the required specification for the 2009 season. Complete systems will be available from SS Tubes in the UK or from Howerton Products in Indianapolis at a cost similar to the current 2008 exhaust assembly. The only modification required to the car will be cutting a hole in the top surface of the sidepod and adding a small snorkel to shield the exit.

In general, there will be a complete freeze on current specifications and no new areas of development for the 2009 season.