Q: Thinking about Honda’s announcement, it seems like they’re more interested in the hybrid/electronics part of the equation and don’t care as much about the combustion engine. (Probably an oversimplification.) For me, the interesting part about the entire thing is, it seems to be similar to Ford and GM’s interest in F1. Again, an oversimplification, but both of those brands seem more interested in the testing/R&D for the electronics than the combustion engine itself. So maybe that is the direction IndyCar should go: Have Ilmor build a stock engine that allows manufacturers to bolt on their electric components. Almost like an “aero kit” for engines.
Maybe this gives Honda, GM (who are already trying to do it in F1) and others in F1/FE/etc some incentive to join the party to test more of their electronics? Rules could be written that allow as much freedom as desired (especially if you want to have parts that could work in multiple series), but put some BoP in to keep it fair (e.g. max speed of XXX or electric output limited to things I don’t understand).
I know that for some of the older fans, this sounds awful. I get that many grew up on the powerful V8s, brand affiliations, etc. But those days are gone, and to be honest, for fans in my age bracket (<40), we’re less concerned about that.
Or, IndyCar could bring innovation back to the 500 and say, “Screw it, build whatever you want, as long as it fits in the car. We’ll put a BoP on you to ensure things are fair, but you pick whatever you want, Hybrid, V8s, full electric, hydrogen, McDonald’s french fry oil…”
Randy Williams
MP: I love everything you’ve observed and suggested, Randy.
Q: Amid all of the anguish regarding Honda’s warnings and Chevy/GM and IndyCar’s responses about “spec” engines it is forgotten that the “golden” (and much beloved) roadster era was essentially a spec series. The cars were knockoffs of Kurtis and Watson designs. The engines were almost always an Offy that was an upright or lay-down configuration. These are generalized recollections, but I seem to remember that the racing was pretty good.
Greg
MP: Indeed, just as the IndyCar racing today is generally excellent and close. Same with Champ Car when it went to a spec Cosworth formula where Lolas and Reynards were in use and when it went to the spec Panoz-Cosworth package in 2007 that rates as the favorite IndyCar for all of those who drove it.
Q: My memory needs some context for the timeline. What came first: IndyCar stopping the 2.4L engines and then Honda deciding to run theirs in IMSA? Or had Honda already planned to use the same ICE in both series before the cancelation was announced?
To add what Pat said in the Dec. 20 Mailbag, the Caddy GTP remote control car is a joint promotion for the latest Forza Motorsports video game. In fact, it’s the cover car on the box art. Just imagine…
Gabe, NW Indiana
MP: The Acura ARX-06 hybrid IMSA GTP car had been testing for many months before the joint decision by IndyCar, Chevy, and Honda was made to halt the 2.4L IndyCar motor move for 2024. In fact, we were at Daytona for a December 5-7 hybrid GTP test where the same Acura/Honda 2.4L motor was in action when RACER got wind of the change of plans.
Q: Any word yet on Dale Coyne’s seats to be filled? Or even the other A.J. Foyt seat for 2024?
Keith
MP: The Foyt seat is the one of intrigue; I haven’t heard anything to suggest DeFrancesco’s out of the picture at Coyne, but I also haven’t been chasing it over the holidays, so I might be out of the loop on any changes there. I need to make calls to both teams right around the time you’re reading this.
Q: What is it going to take for IndyCar management to share its vision for the future with its fans? IMSA and NASCAR seem able to do it regularly. The Jay Frye Mailbag a few months ago should have been a good chance for him to tell us what the thinking is at HQ but he didn’t seem to feel like talking. Come to think of it, do you know if anyone in IndyCar’s leadership reads the Mailbag to check the pulse of what fans are concerned about?
Dennis West
MP: No clue, and oh yes, it’s read at the home office.
Q: The problem with auto racing right now is that horsepower suitable for racing just isn’t hard to get anymore. We can buy 700hp street cars with reasonable drivability on the street. So rules packages just get weirder and weirder, and now we’re freaking out because something F1 did nine years ago (hybrid) got delayed and Honda is threatening to leave.
You guys are right that IndyCar has a chance to lead here, but it has to look different. I would argue that close racing matters, and horsepower competition doesn’t. If IndyCar wants to save the sport and actually lead the industry, it needs to focus on what the industry cares about, and I think it can do this without being beholden to industry demands, because it won’t require huge costs. It needs to have completely open competition on fuel efficiency in such a way that still produces close racing.
I can’t know all the problems with this idea, but here is where I would start in my ignorance: cap peak horsepower (750?), cap integrated horsepower under the RPM curve, cap fuel volume (apply same volume to liquid fuel, batteries, whatever), set a minimum weight, and specify a location of the center of gravity for the total power unit (including fuel). Then the kicker — make sure all of these numbers can be hit with a small block Chevy crate motor. Then let teams run whatever they want, within reasonable safety guidelines.
The idea is to create a homologation setup that results in close lap times and let fuel efficiency be the differentiator. Depending on how yellows fall anyone could still win, but teams with better power units will be rewarded in the long run. Small teams will save money compared to the current situation if they can buy a small block Chevy, particularly if the numbers don’t push it to the ragged edge. And I suspect auto manufacturers will like the opportunity to demonstrate what they care about (efficiency) in the world’s largest race. Who doesn’t want to see a Tesla IndyCar?
Maybe this requires an engine cradle and/or a new chassis, maybe not. Maybe it’s too bold and too stupid. I don’t know.
John
MP: Well, everything Elon touches turns to gold, right? (Kidding.) Happy New Year, John.