2017 Verizon IndyCar SeriesOpen Wheel

[TRLWNC7396]

That could be pretty intense!

In fact, I would love to be able to do that on ALL tracks! They are VERY different beasts in the other direction!

 

[catamount39]

 

[AudiMan2011]

If Indycar were to return to the UK, then they should go back to the Rockingham oval.

 

[catamount39]

If Indycar were to return to the UK, then they should go back to the Rockingham oval.

Rockingham would definitely be awesome. It's a jewel of European ovals and it'd be great to see the cars there.

 

[IforceV8]

Rockingham would need to upgrade the track before Indycar would return, no Safer walls.

 

[TDZdave]

Rockingham or Euro Speedway would be great, but I don't think either track has safer barrier and I doubt the circuits owners want to invest in it,

 

[IforceV8]

I found a story https://de.motorsport.com/indycar/news/eurospeedway-lausitz-will-oval-bis-2018-modernisieren-681799/ saying they planned to upgrade and repave but I'm not seeing it http://62.153.206.190/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi?resolution=4CIF&camera=quad&dummy=1488636757069 yet.

 

[catamount39]

I found a story https://de.motorsport.com/indycar/news/eurospeedway-lausitz-will-oval-bis-2018-modernisieren-681799/ saying they planned to upgrade and repave but I'm not seeing it http://62.153.206.190/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi?resolution=4CIF&camera=quad&dummy=1488636757069 yet.

Well nothing is happening then I guess, but I think I spotted some sort of open wheel car on track in that camera.

 

[IforceV8]

Well nothing is happening then I guess, but I think I spotted some sort of open wheel car on track in that camera.

It's very exciting, a guy walked out of a garage door near pit exit.

 

[catamount39]

It's very exciting, a guy walked out of a garage door near pit exit.

And a squirrel comes up the inside!

 

[jake2013guy]

St Pete Race Week!

 

[catamount39]

Thank God IndyCar has returned! We may be stuck with ABC, but I'm just glad to have racing season getting underway again. Hopefully this season is a safe one, but an intense one. Let's get the party started!

 

[Carbonox]

Less than a week to go for the first of five Indy 500 practice races?

 

[Kingofweasles]

Less than a week to go for the first of five Indy 500 practice races?

Just reading that is triggering some kind of Cheever PTSD in my brain

 

[IforceV8]

Dixie has as sponsor.👍

 

[ukfan758]

Less than a week to go for the first of five Indy 500 practice races?

Remember, according to ABC there are two practice races, qualifying, the 500, and two exhibition races for post season.

 

[Silver Arrows]

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/138618-prospects-rising-for-third-indycar-engine-supplier

Verizon IndyCar Series CEO Mark Miles is cautiously optimistic a third auto manufacturer is getting closer to joining Chevy and Honda as an official engine supplier. IndyCar's most recent engine formula made its debut in 2012 with Chevy, Honda and Lotus building purebred 2.2-liter turbocharged V6s, and with the departure of Lotus at the end of the season, the series has been on the lookout for a replacement since 2013.

With Chevy and Honda stepping up to cover 20-plus full-time IndyCar entries (and the field of 33 cars for the annual running of the Indianapolis 500) in the absence of Lotus, both manufacturers have been vocal in their desire for a new engine supplier to enter the series and return to a three-way supply structure. It makes the interest being shown by a new manufacturer a welcome sign of progress.


"I think a third [manufacturer] is important for lots of reasons," Miles said. "From the time I've been involved ... there's always a conversation with one or more of them, and I think we are at a point now with one of them that seems more promising, but further and more pointed than we've had before."

Although Miles wouldn't be drawn on the identity of the interested manufacturer, the car company is believed to be based in Europe.

 

[jake2013guy]

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/138618-prospects-rising-for-third-indycar-engine-supplier

That narrows it down...

 

[Silver Arrows]

That narrows it down...

My guess is British, narrowing it down. I will say it's Lotus.

 

[catamount39]

I say German. Mercedes.

 

[Eh Team]

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/138618-prospects-rising-for-third-indycar-engine-supplier

All that really says to me is Ford isn't interested in a comeback. Which is a bit of a shame because they have a TT V6 working rather well elsewhere in racing.

 

[Silver Arrows]

Like, I'm trying to figure out who would be interested in getting into Indy, and my mind is going blank. Mercedes seems to be content with what they have in F!, why would they go minor league, comparative to F1, in Indy?

All that really says to me is Ford isn't interested in a comeback. Which is a bit of a shame because they have a TT V6 working rather well elsewhere in racing.

Ford is, from my estimation, set with it's focus on sportscar racing and NASCAR. I doubt they would really want to dump more money into another discipline.

 

[catamount39]

Like, I'm trying to figure out who would be interested in getting into Indy, and my mind is going blank. Mercedes seems to be content with what they have in F!, why would they go minor league, comparative to F1, in Indy?



Ford is, from my estimation, set with it's focus on sportscar racing and NASCAR. I doubt they would really want to dump more money into another discipline.

Expansion, North America is Indycar territory and the series has a definite upside and growth potential is MASSIVE. Mercedes have just F1, GT3 and GT4. A presence in the premiere open wheel championship of the America's would be worth while. Besides they'd only need to develop an engine, no bodywork, so the cost would be lower.

My second thought is Alfa Romeo. They are trying to get back into North America, and what better say to bring the brand attention than to enter our top series?

Third thought would be BMW, Porsche. Because...I dunno reasons.

 

[Northstar]

I know they aren't European, but I could see Hyundai/Kia joining.

 

[AudiMan2011]

My guess is British, narrowing it down. I will say it's Lotus.

Lotus had a go when the DW12 first came out along with the switch to V6 Turbos and they were absolute rubbish. I can't see them coming back.

 

[jake2013guy]

I know it sounds slightly left field and absurd but Jaguar? European. Recently relaunched Open Wheel racing team.

 

[catamount39]

I know it sounds slightly left field and absurd but Jaguar? European. Recently relaunched Open Wheel racing team.

...in Formula E. Unfortunately they're a lost cause.

 

[IforceV8]

Unless something has changed the current engine rules are set to remain until 2020 if there are only 2 engine suppliers. The rules were left open to change in 2018 if a new OEM joins the series.

FWIW Cosworth is still owned by Kalkhoven.

FCA-Alfa/Fiat/Maserati
VAG-Audi/VW/Porsche
Jaguar
BMW
Mercedes
French are highly unlikely

Maserati is my pick. There expanding line of new cars is based on V6 turbo engines and some of the engine blocks are even cast in Indiana. And they have some history too. Wins in 1939-40 and this car is sitting in the museum.

 

[catamount39]

Unless something has changed the current engine rules are set to remain until 2020 if there are only 2 engine suppliers. The rules were left open to change in 2018 if a new OEM joins the series.

FWIW Cosworth is still owned by Kalkhoven.

FCA-Alfa/Fiat/Maserati
VAG-Audi/VW/Porsche
Jaguar
BMW
Mercedes
French are highly unlikely

Maserati is my pick. There expanding line of new cars is based on V6 turbo engines and some of the engine blocks are even cast in Indiana. And they have some history too. Wins in 1939-40 and this car is sitting in the museum.

Maserati would be an interesting entry. Something Italian either way seems very likely to me, and would be very much welcomed especially if one of their cars wears that red burgundy paint.

I wouldn't mind if the engine regs didn't change, the current engine is exciting and performs well.

 

[TRLWNC7396]

I hope that Lotus gives it a better try. That would be neat. But, I think they have been bought out, so.... (shrug)