Q: Continuing the topic mentioned in the last RACER Mailbag last week, Honda Twin Ring Motegi is an engineering marvel. Turns 1 & 2 at Gateway are reasonably comparable to Turns 3 & 4 at Motegi, however right next to the Motegi turns there is a drop of about 500 feet so they put up a steel wall rather than a catch fence. I would guess that wall is at least 30 feet tall. This wall begins at the entry to Turn 3 and ends at the exit of Turn 4, and is probably 8 to 10 inches thick with a frame and sheets attached to either side of the framework — in front of which is the SAFER barrier. There are probably four to six windows for photographers and officials for observations as needed.
These walls are perfectly smooth there is no chance of tangle, so debris is not going to create a hazard. There was no advertising attached to the wall; however, I suppose if necessary there might be a chance of making that work. While I am sure that this arrangement wasn’t cheap, the maintenance would be zero. It would seem to be worth trying to make that work here.
It would not work at Indy at this time. However, if something clear could be developed that would eliminate the distortion as curves create going around a corner, it could be possible. Our safety needs to keep getting better and better.
Glenn Timmis
MP: Thanks for sharing, Glenn. I only got to Motegi for the finale, but was able to walk around most of the oval and was mesmerized by it.
Q: I have some questions about the Nashville street race. How is IndyCar going to work with the NFL on scheduling? They can’t set the race for a weekend that the Titans will be at home. Or at least, I don’t think they want to do that.
My other question is, how much concern does IndyCar have going up against University of Tennessee football and Titans football with those seasons in full swing by mid-September? The South loves football, so I would imagine some of the potential race fan base will be either on the road attending those games, or watching the football at home instead of going to the street race.
Tony, Atlanta
MP: It would be the event’s promoter and the city to do the scheduling dance with the NFL, not IndyCar, and I’m confident they’ll be able to ensure the Titans are playing an away game next year. If someone likes football and likes IndyCar, there’s one chance to see IndyCar in TN and many opportunities to see NFL or college ball in TN. Conflicts are the norm so, as Juan Pablo Montoya likes to say, it is what it is.
Q: Is it possible that another reason Andretti went after Ericsson is because of his F1 experience? Theoretically if Andretti does get a F1 seat, Ericsson could be a good partner with a Herta or Kirkwood in bringing up the team. Thoughts?
Jeff Smith, State College, PA
MP: Ericsson’s F1 experience was of zero interest to Andretti, as I understand things. They first approached him after he won the Indy 500, so their draw involved his big-time success and his ability to continually run towards the front of IndyCar races. If Andretti Global gets its place on the F1 grid, it will have a ton of options with younger drivers with more recent experience.
Q: I am curious to know your opinion on what Arrow McLaren has been able to find in its cars/chassis/engine package so much more quickly than other teams? They seem to be able to squeeze out more on a consistent basis. And what is the timeline for a new Dallara chassis, especially give the added weight of the new hybrid system?
David Sandlin
MP: I’ll be honest and say that I don’t know what you’re referring to with Arrow McLaren. Arrow McLaren has been the biggest disappointment of all the major teams in 2023, having gone winless across 14 races. They have one pole from 14 rounds, two fastest laps, and are routinely the third-, fourth-, or fifth-best team on most race days. It’s Ganassi, Penske, Andretti, and now RLL who fit what you’re describing more than Arrow McLaren. That being said, they could easily be on pole and win this weekend, but they have not been better than any of the top teams at getting more out of their cars at a faster rate.
There is no timeline for a new chassis, unfortunately.
Q: Just an FYI concerning IndyCar dropping the second Indy road course race and substituting Milwaukee. I attended the Gallagher road course race in August, and in the ticket envelope was the renewal form for 2024 with a 8/28 deadline. So it would appear the race will continue in 2024, but maybe a different date. Of course, IndyCar could still cancel the race and do credits or refunds. But…
Bill
MP: Thanks, Bill, I’d heard about that from a few local friends in Indy. Can’t wait to once again be the least important series at the Brickyard event.
Q: I may have jumped the gun with my reply to Ryan in West Michigan about paddock access at Mid-Ohio and being able to get access for his son. As I was reading my reply to Ryan I realized that Xfinity races that I attended at Mid-Ohio had very limited paddock access. During those events only NASCAR-affiliated personnel or people who somehow were able to purchase passes before the event were permitted in the main paddock area.
Not even support series drivers, cars, or their personnel were permitted to go through the main paddock to access the pit lane for their events. They all had to access the track/pits through the false grid area, which is the long way from the upper paddock to the track. The upper paddock was also open to all spectators. In hindsight it appears that NASCAR stupidity, not Penske regulations, may be the reason a paddock pass was unavailable for the combined weekend at the Indy road course.
By the way, I quit attending NASCAR-sanctioned events two years ago. I don’t appreciate their spectator restrictions, let alone all of the needless yellow flag time.
Dan, Mansfield, OH
MP: Thanks, Dan. I still stand by what I wrote last week: IndyCar needs to develop a welcoming, kid-friendly plans for all of its events.