I vote for Evolution.

228 is probably more like it at Indy. Pole was what 225ish? There were tow laps almost averaging 230 I think? I get the point, but I don't think the 10mph is THAT big a deal, at least not to me.

I would go with evolution as well. Not F1 and not the dallara of today.

brundle - 17 December 2009 02:31 PM

Andrettifan - 17 December 2009 02:00 PM

RM says in his mailbag that the IRL is leaning toward the evolution while the car owners favor the revolution. I think the league may need to listen to their participants on this one, otherwise there may not be any league.

I think the other side of that coin is that if they do something too radical (like the Breedlove-type thing) they will alienate a lot of fans, too.

Speaking only for myself - Indycars should be BEASTS. They shouldn't be three-wheeled motorcycles with fenders. They shouldn't be land-speed-record missiles. They should be INDY CARS. Everything I've heard about this Delta Wing gizmo turns me off (except for the cost-cutting). Granted, I haven't seen it yet, but the idea smacks of overreaction and complete desperation. For me, it needs to retain some Indy Car DNA - if it's too different, is it really an Indy Car anymore?

very much agree with your response. cost cutting is important and if Dallara or Swift are in the game of producing a new rolling chassis at a reduced cost as Cavin mentions, i'm all for it. Would much rather see an evolved car.

Besides open wheels, where's the DNA between the 50's IndyCar AKA roadsters and today's IndyCars?

Everyone sure is afraid of change around here.

jcmark611 - 17 December 2009 04:52 PM

Everyone sure is afraid of change around here.

I think the motorsports world as a whole is conservative when it comes to changes. MotoGP is struggling to make bikers happy when it comes to engine size, NHRA is trying to be safe but no one likes the 1/8 mile runs, NASCAR has issues with the COT, and F1 struggled with fans over the introduction of an all V8 field a few years back.

I'm just glad we're in agreement that whether its evolution or revolution - change is good and needed.

Dallara has a proven, safe, fast track record. They want to be involved and said they are willign to open a new factory just for the IRL (in the US?). If they can match the 140k price points (wich is way dirt cheap for a top level race car btw) AND provid a lighter, more nimble, more attractive car then i think it would be stupid to move away from that.
the league needs stability and i think Dallara offers a great package and support. If Swift can match what Dallara offers it seems that the door is open for them to join the party as well.

Hard to comment on the Delta Wing without seeing it and knowing more about it, but Robin said Barnhart is against it so it must be good!

jcmark611 - 17 December 2009 04:52 PM

Everyone sure is afraid of change around here.

I'm surprised.
I expected revolution to be a clear winner.

It's not that I'm afraid of change but that picture attached to Cavin's article scares the hell out of me. A closed cockpit with 3 enclosed wheels and a dorsel fin sucks, so anything "similar" to that would not be good.