IRL sponsors project at the College for Creative Studies
"Last year, we introduced a very successful program with the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. called IndyCar 2011," said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and the Indy Pro Series. "The results of that project, not only in terms of radical new car designs, but of overall outside-the-box thinking, were encouraging and led us to this partnership with the College for Creative Studies."
In this project, Transportation Design students will immerse themselves in the IndyCar Series culture, gaining a complete understanding of all of the facets of the racing world while engaging experts in racing, engineering and fuel technology as advisors to help them gain a more intimate view of the racing experience and the possibilities for future technology. The students will be developing a hallmark IndyCar Series car for the future that provides a preview of the overall, unique racing experience for an Indy Racing League fan of the future.
"While the performance and safety of open-wheel race cars have changed dramatically over the past 30 years, the chassis design has not," said Brian Barnhart, president, competition and operations of the Indy Racing League. "With respect to design, safety must be taken into consideration at every stage as it is the primary concern for drivers, officials, crew and fans. The only design requirement is that the cars must be open-wheel."
Students will work throughout the semester on the project, with regular input and feedback from Indy Racing League mentors, with the final concepts presented in early May. To further the students' understanding of the IndyCar Series' key brand attributes, including speed, diversity, technology, innovation and environmental awareness, the students will visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Jan. 24.
The IndyCar Series was introduced to the College for Creative Studies by officials at Honda Performance Development, and a contingent of league officials visited the school on Jan. 17.
The project also will involve students in the Advertising Design program, who will develop integrated marketing campaign concepts.
The College for Creative Studies is located in midtown Detroit's cultural center and is a recognized leader in art and design education, preparing students to enter the new, global economy where creativity shapes better communities and societies. CCS is a private, fully accredited, four-year college.