The "Delta Wing" Indy car

[indydog]

Do they really think this is the next step in Indy car design?

auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-inside-the-delta-wing-project/

[indycals]

I love it. We've had the same basic design for 30 years. The biggest complaint about Indycar racing was the lack of innovation - well, here's the first real innovation since ground effects.

[Calvin]

At least they are trying to come up with something innovative but as far as I can see 3/4 of people don't like it (From other forums)
I'm not getting bent out of shape or excited about it because I don't see it happening. Plus with todays safety standards....... well.....
But I did have fun watching the war of words going on today, on other forums. ;D

[indycals]

People are afraid of change. Over the years the majority has said they want innovation and now that they have it, they are afraid of it. I'd bet my life that if 99% of the people saw the car at an auto show and didn't know what it was, they would think it was cool. But God forbid that we should have something radically different at Indy - Indy must be like NASCAR and use stagnant technology and designs. *rolleyes* Like others, my only reservation is the narrow front track and how it will handle, but I trust that Ben Bowlby knows more about these things than I do, and if it corners well and races well, bring it on.

[Calvin]

Feb 11, 2010 0:41:17 GMT -5 indycals said:

I'd bet my life that if 99% of the people saw the car at an auto show and didn't know what it was, they would think it was cool.

Very true.

But......

Just to give my true 100% feeling about it.
If I was at the show walking through and didn't know it was an indycar I would most likely walk over, glance at it...say "wow thats something else"...then walk away.

But if I saw a chaparral 2k or a Mclaren or something like that I would be all over it for hours. Just because thats what I know. ( crazy human psychology at its best ;D going with what you know)

Most people are sentimental toward things. Which I hate to say but thats one of the reasons why Nascar is popular. Thats what I think. But I don't know, but I think most of us always think we have the answer to things. LOL

EDIT: When i'm talking about nascar, I dont mean just the cars but the whole sport.

[indydog]

Mike, I have nothing against change, I just don't like the design. Perhaps it's just to radical, but that's not what I think an Indy car should look like. Looks like some outta the Speed Racer movie. (which I didn't like either) I have nothing against a 4 cyllinder turbo either. Speed to me is not as important as the racing.
Personally, I'd like to see no ground effects and flat bottoms. Turn the clock back about 30 years to when Indy car racing was exciting.

I do like the new Dallara and Swift designs though.

[indycals]

Feb 11, 2010 1:01:54 GMT -5 Calvin said:

Feb 11, 2010 0:41:17 GMT -5 indycals said:

I'd bet my life that if 99% of the people saw the car at an auto show and didn't know what it was, they would think it was cool.

Very true.

But......

Just to give my true 100% feeling about it.
If I was at the show walking through and didn't know it was an indycar I would most likely walk over, glance at it...say "wow thats something else"...then walk away.

But if I saw a chaparral 2k or a Mclaren or something like that I would be all over it for hours. Just because thats what I know. ( crazy human psychology at its best ;D going with what you know)

Most people are sentimental toward things. Which I hate to say but thats one of the reasons why Nascar is popular. Thats what I think. But I don't know, but I think most of us always think we have the answer to things. LOL

EDIT: When i'm talking about nascar, I dont mean just the cars but the whole sport.

I'm as nostalic as anybody. My favorite period in racing is from 1964-1980. But the reason why that is my favorite is because of the radical development and constant change. Cars looked different every year. Look at a typical car from 1965 and compare it to 1972 - just 7 years and they are totally different creatures. Then look at a car from 1985 and compare it to today's Dallara.... not much different. Driver a little further back, noses a little longer and pointier, but basically the same car. That said, even though 65-80 was my favorite period - the racing - at least in Indy cars - sucked. Margins of placement measured in laps rather than seconds, cars constantly blowing engines. But nevertheless, that was the heyday of Indy car racing... in large part because of the constant change.

[macsparty]

While I can't exactly say I love it, I'm certainly not opposed to letting it take its shot. But what I can't seem to get my head around is the thought of 33 of those things taking the flag at Indy.

Now, I understand the economics of why these companies, including Dallara, Swift and Lola, want exclusive deals to maximize ROI, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. 3 or 4 Delta Wings going against a split field of Swifts, Dallaras and Lolas would be sweet. Unfortunately, not gonna happen.

[mrindy77]

It does not do much for me....33 of those is just another spec series. I agree with Mike about innovation but how does one foster innovation with 33 of the chassis.
The time period in which you refer was filled with innovation due to the fact you had guys chasing...it's a new track record....take away the speed limit you bring back innovation....and get rid of spec motors.
The delta fence dart appears to me just a larger billboard to plaster stickers on.

[lance]

At first glance I thought it was a land speed record car, but I must say I love the shape . When I choose car to build, the first thing that usually catches my interest in it is the shape and color, who drove it or how it performed is not a big deal to me (most of the time). This would be a fun car to make a pattern of! Lance

[clm1545]

As a fan of open wheel racing, I don't see much "open wheel" in that thing. What I do see is lots of carbon fiber on the track after any minor bump. If we are going to continue with a spec chassis and engine, lets just keep what we have now. No matter what the car costs, the teams with the most money (we know who they are) are going to win. I don't plan on going to the 500 this year, there will not be a Milwaukee race, and I don't get Versis, so I guess what I think really doesn't matter.
Craig

[Deleted]

Mark...

The dang thing looks like a rolling dildo, then I saw who the prick was that wrote the story. I had to laugh, you mean Speed Vision Channel has sunk so low as to hire Robin Miller?!??!! Oh, have they fallen. Well, seems most perverts and loser fired from ESPN end up somewhere....

Best to you!

Russ

[bicv8]

i honestly was upset by this..... this is the worst idea since the 25 and 8 rule.... a new car that looks like a giant (expletive deleted) is not going to spur innovation and change... the only upside to this car would be condom companies lining up to sign up.... sorry but this is the ugliest and dumbest idea the irl has ever done.... i have been to the speedway every year for almost 20 years and i am only 25.... i would rather they close it all up and remember racing that see robocops dick in victory lane!........... i have been typing this out for the past 45 minutes and i just cant explain how upset this makes me and how this is the worst looking car i have ever seen..... please tell me this is a joke! its just repulsive!

[Deleted]

Dear bicv8...

I hear the words of my grandfather, ringing in my ears...."Opinions are like rectums....Everyone has one and some stink more than others!" I was like, "WTF!!!!!" until I saw who was behind the story. In the words of someone I really respect that actually works at the Speedway, "Robin Miller has never, ever let the facts get in the way of what he feels is a good story." I wouldn't worry until they actually build the beast and start to drive the ugly things. One thing I truly know about men that actually own Indy Car Teams is this....they won't waste money unless someone else is doing it first. Now if Roger Penske came out and said this is what I want!....I'd worry.

I remember the great broadcasting bonehead of all time, Sam Posey announcing that in the future drivers of Indy Cars would be lying in the prone position while driving Indy Cars. He got laughed out of Gasoline Alley for that one! Foyt just shook his head and laughed at Posey.

When, and if they actually start to build the beast, I'd worry....but frankly, the front wheel base wouldn't allow the car to turn. I'm like Micheal at Indycals....I truly love the period at Indy from 1960 to 1977...when chassis were different and drivers were king.

As for Robin Miller, I'll quote my hero Chris Econimaki..."I'm not deaf, I just choose to ignore you Robin." The man is a somewhat talented writer and also pound scum. I wouldn't waste my time wiping the human excrement off my shoe....Except for the stench, he's nothing.

Best to you!

Russ

[Deleted]

Let's keep this civil and on topic gentlemen.

G

[bicv8]

back on topic... that car is fugly and russ i hope your right!

[Calvin]

I know this is a no brainier but.....it makes you think how backwards racing is after 100+ years.

About 80 years of Motor racing has been teams innovating new cars to find speed.

In this day of age, its not the teams that innovate, its the Sanctioning bodies.

[Deleted]

Feb 11, 2010 14:17:34 GMT -5 @dukecador said:

Let's keep this civil and on topic gentlemen.

G

Okay, I'll bite. What in my post wasn't on topic or civil? Care to explain?

[Deleted]

It was only a reminder to everyone to keep things on track as I know how these kinds of topics have a tendency to go horribly awry.

G

[kitbash1]

I'm not afraid of change, but that car is FUGLEY!!!!! I can't see this thing on any oval or road course. Salt flats maybe, but any were else no.

[Deleted]

I can't see this as anything more that a pie in the sky design study barely past an art student level (I was one). I also can't see the narrow front track being able to make a stable turn in any direction. In short order there will be all sorts of hang-on devices to keep the tires stuck on the track.

Why the need to keep away from a sports car nose? Those have been in and out of fashion for open wheel racers through the decades.

All in all, I'm reminded of line drawings in car and mechanics magazines showing what the next hot set up will be next May but never turned a wheel on a track.

Dan Z