2012 IndyCar Series
2012 IndyCar season | |
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File:Izodindycar.png | |
Season | |
Races | TBA |
Start date | TBA |
End date | TBA |
Awards | |
The 2012 Izod IndyCar Series[1] season will be the 101st season of American open wheel racing. Its premier event will be the 96th Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Sunday, May 27.
The ICONIC Project
The 2012 season will see the implementation of Indycar's new ICONIC Plan (Innovative, Competitive, Open-Wheel, New, Industry-Relevant, Cost-Effective), the biggest change to the sport in recent history. The existing car used through 2010, a 2003-model Dallara IR-05, and naturally aspirated V8 engines (required since 1997) will be permanently retired. The ICONIC committee was composed of experts and executives from racing and technical fields: Randy Bernard, William R. Looney III, Brian Barnhart, Gil de Ferran, Tony Purnell, Eddie Gossage, Neil Ressler, Tony Cotman and Rick Long.[2] IndyCar accepted proposals from BAT Engineering, Dallara, DeltaWing, Lola and Swift for chassis design.[3] On July 14, 2010, the final decision was made public, with organisers accepting the Dallara proposal.[3]
New chassis
Under the new ICONIC regulations, all teams will compete with a core rolling chassis, called the "IndyCar Safety Cell",[3] developed by Italian designer Dallara. Teams will then outfit the chassis with separate body work, referred to as "Aero Kits", which consist of front and rear wings, sidepods, and engine cowlings.[3] Development of Aero Kits is open to any manufacturer, with all packages to be made available to all teams for a maximum price. ICONIC committee member Tony Purnell gave an open invitation to car manufacturers and companies such as Lockheed Martin and GE to develop kits.[4]
The IndyCar Safety cell will be capped at a price of $349,000[5] and will be assembled at a new Dallara facility in Speedway, Indiana. Aero Kits will be capped at $70,000.[5] Teams have the option of buying a complete Dallara safety cell/aero kit for a discounted price.[5]
On May 12, 2011, Dallara unveiled the first concept cars, one apiece in oval and road course Aero Kit configuration.[6]
On April 30, 2011, IndyCar owners voted 15–0 to reject the introduction of multiple Aero Kits for the 2012 season, citing costs.[7] Owners expressed their desire to introduce the new chassis/engines for 2012, but have all participants use the Dallara aerodynamic package in 2012, and delay the introduction of multiple aero kits until 2013. On August 14, 2011, IndyCar confirmed that the introduction of multiple Aero Kits would be delayed until 2013 for "economic reasons".[8] Chevrolet and Lotus had already announced their intention to build aero kits.[9][10][11][12]
2011 Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon carried out the first official test of the Dallara chassis at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August 2011.[13] Following Wheldon's death at the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship, Dallara announced that the 2012 chassis would be named the DW12 in his honor.[14][15]
Engine formula
The engines will be 2.2 L V6 turbocharged engines, tuned to produce a range of 550–700 horsepower (410–520 kW) with a 12,000 RPM limit.[16][17][18] All engines will run E85 fuel; from 2007–2011, the series utilized 100% fuel grade ethanol.[10] The "push to pass" feature in 2012 will allow a limited horsepower gain up to 100 HP[19] as opposed to the current "overtake assist" which only provides 10 to 20 HP.
Suppliers
The initial list of potential suppliers included Ford, Cosworth, and Mazda.[20] Honda became the first supplier to commit to providing engines for 2012 and beyond. Their proposed 2.2-liter turbo V6 will be developed by Honda Performance Development.[21] On May 27, 2011, Ganassi and Honda announced their partnership for 2012.[22] On August 19, 2010, Cosworth announced their interest in providing an inline-four engine,[23] however, the plan was eventually scrapped. On November 12, 2010, Chevrolet was confirmed as an engine supplier for 2012 with a twin turbo V6. The powerplant will be built in a joint effort with Ilmor, and will be introduced in a partnership with Penske Racing.[24] Chevrolet will also provide an Aero Kit.[9]
The third engine supplier was announced November 18, 2010 at the LA Auto Show, just prior to the league deadline. Lotus will build a twin turbo V6 engine[25] and an Aero Kit.[10] The engine will be built in a partnership with longtime engine builder John Judd and Jack Brabham through their company Engine Developments Ltd. Judd engines were used in the CART series and at the Indy 500 from 1987–1992, as well as in sports car racing and Formula One.
Confirmed engine suppliers
Schedule
Schedule development
Existing race contracts
- The São Paulo Indy 300 has a contract through 2019.[31]
- The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will continue through 2013.[32] City officials look to extend the contract through 2014.[33]
- An agreement has been signed with the city of Long Beach to extend the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach to 2015 with an option through 2020.[34]
- Barber Motorsports Park signed a three-year deal through 2012.[35]
- The contract for the Baltimore Grand Prix runs through 2015.[36][37]
- The Edmonton Indy has a contract in place through 2013.[38]
New/Returning races
- The series will return to Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California for a 400 mile night race on Saturday, September 15, 2012.[39][40]
- Not held since 2009, the Detroit Indy Grand Prix returns to the schedule for 2012.[27]
Possible races
- An article on Speed.com reported the possiblity of a race at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in South Florida to replace the former venue at Homestead-Miami Speedway which held its final race in 2010. This is the hometown of driver Ryan Hunter-Reay.
- Robin Miller reported on July 3 that INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard would like to expand the schedule to 18 races in 2012 and has been in discussions with Chicagoland, Charlotte, Road America, Laguna Seca, a new race in China, as well as revivals of the Detroit and Houston street races.
- Quebec politician and Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade Sam Hamad has proposed a street race in Quebec City.[41] The proposal has gained the backing of Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume and IndyCar driver Alex Tagliani. IndyCar representatives among them Tony Cotman, were in Quebec City in May 2010 to evaluate the possibility of holding an event in the city in 2011. Promoter and owner of FAZZT Race Team Andre Azzi is optimistic and believes that the IRL brass is keen about having a urban race held in the old city with a similar style to the Monaco Grand Prix.[42] The circuit would be established on the lower part of Quebec, in the Old Port and Bassin Louise. Randy Bernard said that the event is a possibility for the 2012 schedule.[43]
- A revival of the Cleveland race was discussed for years.[44] It would have involved a unique twin race weekend, with one race Friday night on a new oval layout, and a second race on the traditional road course layout.[45][46] Due to lack of local business support as of August 2010, the target date is 2012.[47][48]
- Officials at promoter Mi-Jack Promotions are confident that the Grand Prix of Houston will be part of the 2012 schedule.[49]
- The league is exploring a race in Qingdao, China. The inaugural event would be a street race, and later editions would move to a proposed 400,000 to 500,000-seat oval/road course facility.[50][51][52][53][54] Terry Angstadt stated on August 27, 2011 that the race had a 90% chance of happening in 2012.[55]
- Terry Angstadt traveled to Porto Alegre, Brazil on November 25, 2010 and discussed with local authorities about a second Brazilian event in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost Brazilian State. The race could be called "GP Mercosul", after the Common Market of South America.[56] The race reportedly would take place on March 12, 2012 as the season opener.
- In addition to the China and Brazil races, IndyCar is interested in possible futures races in Qatar and in Mexico City, as well as a former Formula One venues in Europe.[57]
Discontinued races
- The Indy Japan 300 will not return in 2012.[58]
- The series will not return to the Milwaukee Mile in 2012.[59]
- The series will not return to New Hampshire in 2012. [60]
- The series will not return to Kentucky in 2012. [61]
Teams and drivers
All chassis are composed of a Dallara "IndyCar Safety Cell" base and aerokit in 2012. All team will run Firestone tires.
Jean Alesi (R) will attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 for a Lotus-powered team.[62]
Team and driver
- Team Penske: Team will utilize Chevrolet engines beginning in 2012.[24]. Penske Racing has confirmed there will be no driver changes and the 3-car lineup of Will Power, Helio Castroneves, and Ryan Briscoe will return full-time in 2012.[63]
- Chip Ganassi Racing: Team will utilize Honda engines in 2012.[64] Owner Chip Ganassi confirmed that there will be no driver changes and the entire 4-car team will return in 2012.[65]
- Andretti Autosport: The team will utilize Chevrolet engines in 2012.[66]Marco Andretti will be in the third year of a 4-year contract with the team in 2012[67][68] RC Cola has signed a multi-year agreement to sponsor Marco Andretti's #26 car starting in 2012.[69] Ryan Hunter-Reay signed with Andretti Autosport through the 2012 season.[70] Owner Michael Andretti told Marshall Pruett the team's goal is to again field four full-time cars in 2012 and they are close to completing funding for two as of August 2011. Driver Mike Conway has expressed interest in returning in 2012.[65] 2011 driver Danica Patrick's will leave the team to compete in the Nationwide series full-time along with limited Sprint Cup Schedule.[71] The team announced on August 26, 2011 that GoDaddy will return as a primary sponsor through 2013, with the car and driver to be revealed at a later date.[72] Speed had reported before the final race of 2011 that Dan Wheldon was close to signing a deal with Andretti to replace Patrick in the #7 GoDaddy car, but he tragically lost his life in the season-ending race in Las Vegas.
- Newman/Haas Racing: The team expects to field two full-time entries in 2012 with an outside chance of a third car. Oriol Servia and James Hinchcliffe are both expected to return and are close to achieving the necessary funding.[65]
- Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Owner Sam Schmidt would like to expand to a full-time 2 car team in 2012. The team will run Honda engines in 2012.[73] Simon Pagenaud tested with the team in 2011 at Mid-Ohio and is believed to have signed a contract to join the team in 2012.[74] 2011 Driver Alex Tagliani will be a free agent in 2012.[75] The 2011 Indy Lights champion Josef Newgarden, who drove Lights cars for Schmidt, is working with the team to try to become a FT driver in 2012.[76] The team has secured backing from sponsor Bowers & Wilkins through the end of the 2012 season.[77] The team may continue to work with AFS Racing in 2012.[65]
- A.J. Foyt Enterprises: 2011 driver Vitor Meira and the team mutually agreed to part ways after the 2011 season[78] The team will run Honda engines in 2012 and will retain ABC Supply Company as the sponsor of the #14 car.[79] The team is seeking funding for a second full-time car in 2012. Bertrand Baguette would be close to signing with the team.[80]
- Panther Racing: 2009 Indy Lights champion J. R. Hildebrand signed a multi-year deal in 2011 to drive the #4 National Guard car for the team.[81] Owner John Barnes said the team is "pretty close" to adding a second full-time car in 2012, but will run a second car in the Indianapolis 500 "for sure".[65]
- KV Racing Technology: The team will run Chevrolet engines in 2012. Driver Tony Kanaan has signed a multi-year contract to return to the team in 2012.[66] The team plans to have 3 full-time cars in 2012 and Vasser says "I think you'll see a lot of familiar faces". The team may work with SH Racing again in 2012.[65]
- Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: The team plans on running two cars full-time in 2012; at a minimum they will have one car. The team hopes to field a third entry at the Indianapolis 500.[65]
- HVM Racing: Owner Keith Wiggins confirmed that Simona de Silvestro will return as a full-time driver for the team in 2012, and he is "quietly confident" that they will expand to a two-car team in 2012.[65] The team will be the anchor team for the new Lotus engines in 2012.[82]
- Dale Coyne Racing: Owner Dale Coyne confirmed that the team will return with 2 cars in 2012 and that he has funding for the 2-car program.[83] He would like James Jakes to return and Sebastian Bourdais to run a full season with the team in 2012.[65]
- Conquest Racing: Eric Bachelart confirmed the team will have at least one full-time car in 2012. He would like to add a second.[65]
- Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: The team antipicates running 2 full-time entries in 2012. The cars will be powered by Honda engines.[84]. The team has already purchased 2 DW12 chassis and may add a 3rd car for the Indianapolis 500.[85]
- Bryan Herta Autosport: The team has budgeted money to buy two Dallara DW12 chassis and plans to run at least one full-time car in 2012, with an outside shot at two.[65]
- Sarah Fisher Racing: The team's goal is to run one car for the full season with the ultimate goal of expanding to a two-car team. Driver Ed Carpenter has left to form his own team.
- Dragon Racing: Jay Penske says the team will definitely run one car full-time in 2012 and they are seeking sponsorship to run a second.[65]
- MSR Indy: The team is owned by Mike Shank, AJ Allmendinger, and Columbus area businessman Brian Bailey. The team will use Lotus engines.[86]The team has purchased an DW12 chassis with the goal of running a full-time IndyCar program in 2012, and will take delivery of their chassis on December 15th.[87]
- Ed Carpenter Racing: Driver Ed Carpenter and his stepfather Tony George have formed a new team, Ed Carpenter Racing. Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka has signed a 3-year agreement to sponsor the team and Carpenter will be the full-time driver in 2012.[88]
- Davey Hamilton Racing: Driver and Indy Lights team owner Davey Hamilton is attempting to put together a team for 2012. Hamilton will not be driving the car.[89]
- Highcroft Racing: The team is searching for sponsorship to join the series in 2012.[65]
- Dyson Racing: The team is interested in joining the series for 2012.[90]
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{{cite news}}
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