The challenge for each Indy Car Team is the same every year. Design and
develop a race car that is safe, durable, and
competitive in different racing conditions. Durability is required to
complete the sixteen race schedule. In addition, cars must meet the
demands of four different types of racing circuits, each course requiring
a different aerodynamic
and mechanical setup.
Street:
A narrow, temporary course ranging from 1.6 to 2.1 miles in length, with
tight turns and a long straightaway. The Long Beach circuit (lap record
108.198 mph), tests the durability of the gearbox, braking system and
low speed acceleration.
Road:
Laguna Seca Raceway (lap record 112.296 mph), is an example of a road
course with hills. A road course is a wide open track that ranges in
length from 1.9 to 4 miles. It has both slow and high speed corners and
wide enough for passing. The suspension system, downhill braking and
power are stressed on this type of course.
Short Oval:
Phoenix International Raceway (lap record 172.804 mph), is a one mile,
long oval track. Short straightaways and banked turns are
characteristics of this type of track. The short oval tests the
suspension and aerodynamic setup of the car.
Speedway:
The speedway is an oval track with banked turns and long straightaways.
The one lap record at the Michigan International Speedway (2 mile oval),
is 234.275 mph. At Indianapolis (2.5 mile oval), the record is 232.618
mph. High, sustained speed requires aerodynamic efficiency.
The job of the team engineer
is to prepare a competitive, safe car that can be adjusted quickly. Alan
Mertens, Galles-Kraco car builder and race engineer says, "You spend
the whole year chasing a moving target, but that's the definition of
development of motor racing, it doesn't stand still very long."
Feedback is provided by onboard telemetry,
driver input, and mechanical failure. Information gained from an accident
is also used to develop stronger, safer cars. Currently, the Indy Cars are
considered to be the safest race cars in the world.
Championship Auto Racing
Teams (CART) is the governing body which sets safety rules and regulations
for Indy Car World Series competition. CART is also responsible for
organization of events and the car and engine specifications. A technical
inspection is required for each car before racing to insure all rules are
observed.
1994
Indy Car Specifications:
- Chasis:
weight= 1550 lbs. Weight
distribution 45% front and 55% in rear.
rear wing
height(Speedway)= 32"
rear wing height
(Oval/Road)= 36"
- Engines:
Turbocharged 4-cycle
overhead camshaft with a maximum of 8 cylinders with 4 valves per
cylinder. Illmor,
Chevy, Ford and Honda reflect these specifications. These engines
produce 750-800 horsepower at 12,800 rpms with a top speed of 240
mph. Car performance = 0-60 mph in 2 seconds and 0-100 mph in 4
seconds.
- Fuel:
Valvoline methanol is
required. Each fuel tank can hold a maximum of 40 gallons of fuel
and each car must have a minimum fuel efficiency of 1.8 miles per
gallon. Methanol is used for safety reasons. It is not as explosive
as gasoline. To minimize refueling
hazards (1.1m mpeg movie) each entry must have a three-man
refueling team. In addition, shutoff valves are required at both
ends of the fueling hose.
- Tires:
Each team is allocated
28 tires per car per race, (200 miles), or sixty tires per car in
500 mile events. The wheels are cast magnesium 15" in diameter
and 10"-14" in width. Heating of the tires is prohibited.
Tire heating equipment is costly, and places a financial strain on
teams seeking sponsorship. This CART regulation helps maintain a
competitive balance in the series.
- Chasis Construction:
The chasis is
constructed to afford maximum protection to the driver. Carbon
fiber, aluminum or a combination of both may be used to build
the chassis. All new designs must undergo primary and secondary
impact testing.
Saftey rules and regulations
have challenged engineers to become more inventive as the cars have become
more complex. This has forced teams to concentrate on the total
aerodynamic package of the race car. Bobby Rahal (Rahal/Hogan Racing)
explains, "When something is designed, you must take into account the
discipline that it's being used for and how you'll enhance that. The
chassis and aerodynamics are inseparably linked. There's no question about
it." Reduction in engine size is a good example. The 1993 Chevy Indy
V8/C is a much more compact, streamlined version of the older, Chevy V8/A.
The size of the engine has been reduced, to limit drag
on the car. The net effect improves the aerodynamics of the car, and
results in improved car performance. Team designers consider aerodynamic
efficiency to be the most important element in developing a competitive
race car. |
