IRL: Indy Concept Cars-The Future?

[Mothers Worry]

Swift reveals Indycar proposal 





From autosport.com:

Swift reveals Indycar proposal 

Tuesday, February 9th 2010, 16:11 GMT

Swift has become the latest constructor to reveal its plan for the new generation IndyCar chassis.

The former Champ Car chassis supplier is vying with Dallara, Lola and the new Delta Wing group to win the contract to build the machine the IndyCar Series will use from 2012............

[Mothers Worry]

DeltaWing unveils IndyCar concept





From autosport.com:

DeltaWing unveils IndyCar concept

Wednesday, February 10th 2010, 18:38 GMT

DeltaWing has unveiled its radical proposal for the future IndyCar Series chassis.

The new company is one of four contenders for the new Indycar design that will be used from 2012, along with existing supplier Dallara and former Champ Car constructors Lola and Swift.

The DeltaWing programme has generated huge anticipation as it was long-rumoured to be the most radical of the concepts vying for the IndyCar deal.................

[Mothers Worry]

Dallara reveals new Indycar proposal 

From autosport.com:

Dallara reveals new Indycar proposal 

Friday, February 5th 2010, 12:02 GMT

Dallara has released its proposals for the next generation IndyCar Series chassis, which will race from 2012 if the Italian manufacturer is selected by the Indy Racing League.

The future direction of the series is under the spotlight ahead of the unveiling of the highly-anticipated Delta Wing project at the Chicago Motor Show next Wednesday.......................

[Muzza]

And here's the Lola....

Delivering advanced technology and capturing the legendary IndyCar spirit with practical affordability, Lola USA announces additional detail and presents the first images of the proposed Lola B12/00 and B12/01 IndyCars for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.

The "total solution" package will deliver two attractive and aero performance balanced race cars that will deliver a return to close and gladiatorial racing. Safety, efficiency, styling and affordability have been at the forefront of the Lola special projects team that has been working on this project throughout 2009 to date.

Lola IndyCar - Visual Variations

At the heart of Lola's proposal is the dual body style concept developed extensively by Lola engineers. This work has already received very positive comments from the IndyCar fan fraternity. This concept will give exciting visual variety to the IZOD IndyCar Series grid and stimulate teams, drivers and fans alike.

The two styles will be performance matched but use the same common chassis. Parity in aero performance will be maintained across the ride height range to ensure that no advantage is gained by either kit. Both styles of cars can be raced without technical advantage and with different engines. Common parts throughout will enable teams to switch upper surface styles should they choose to do so.

Work continues within Lola on futuristic designs to continue to challenge thinking and for sure to become more acceptable in better economic times.

IndyCar/Indy Lights Commonality

The Lola chassis for IndyCar will achieve cohesion by being eligible for the Firestone Indy Lights championship. This will in essence mean that Firestone Indy Lights teams will be able to graduate more cost effectively to the IZOD IndyCar Series and teams will find it more commercially attractive to enter cars in each series and to entice new entries in to competition.

In addition, the ease of changing the car specifications from one series to the other will ensure high quality and full entries for the Indy 500.

Aero evaluation and increased drafting

Central to Lola's extensive aerodynamic research has been the necessity to guarantee close and exciting racing. Wheel to wheel duels on the variety of circuits that the IZOD IndyCar Series races on will become the norm rather than the exception.

Focusing on the rear under-body of the Lola IndyCar, designers have found a cost effective and simple breakthrough to ensure that there is a minimum wake for following car. This means that drafting and slipstreaming will be in the drivers own hands rather than that of the aerodynamics itself.

Safety Studies

Safety has always been a key part of Lola's 51-year history with the first of Lola's three Indy 500 victories coming in 1966 with Graham Hill and the T90.

A program on reducing the susceptibility of a "take-off" scenario has been conducted to further protect drivers and spectators. Lola USA has pinpointed specific areas using CFD methods to ensure high yaw angle stability is maintained on the car. Less variation to total aero load on the rear wing will be optimized with pitch angle changes.

Enhanced rear crash structures, a long front nosebox and increased head protection have also been a focus.

Lola USA. Racers working with Racers

As well as releasing more technical detail, Lola today also confirms that it will be selecting a new assembly facility in the USA. Discussions with U.S. business partners for component supply are at an advanced level. Lola is mindful of supporting as many existing U.S. jobs as can be achieved through this opportunity.

Lola has been working with and commissioned high-tech universities to work on environmentally sustainable materials and other green technologies. Maximum effort will also be utilized by Lola engineers to ensure that minimum energy is lost by the racecars when on track. What will the 2012 Lola IZOD IndyCar Series car mean for the fans?

"For Lola, it is imperative that fans enjoy the cars and a great racing spectacle at trackside and on TV," said Lola Executive Chairman Martin Birrane. "Lola has endeavored to capture the great spirit and heritage of IndyCar racing in its thorough commercial and engineering studies. With its vast experience in producing powerful single-seaters, Lola is proud to be considered as a partner in writing the next chapter for the IndyCar nation."

[Supersleeper]

Some pretty interesting concepts. The Delta Wing looks a bit too much of form over function. It doesn't look like it was built to go around corners RTBH.  I'd say the others will have to change their wing elements - they should be well inside the wheels, save the number of pit stops we see in F1 to change wings because 2 cars got a little too close side by side. The Dallara doesn't like like it took into account airflow for an engine!
Love the Lola.

[f1engineer]

The swift looks like a Mach 5/ batmobile kinda thing,
The delta would be unbeatable on the ovals...
Dallara gets my vote, followed by the swift
Lola looks nice as well.

[todd kelly]

The DeltaWing's project is not very nice. 

DeltaWing  Long Beach Simulation:

[the chad]

thats the ugliest car i have ever seen!

[MetMan305]

Gawd, the Lola actually looks like a car while the DeltaWing looks like a PLANE!