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League releases objectives for new chassis, plus a look at Dallara’s three concepts for the project

With four chassis manufacturers battling for the chance to create the next generation of IndyCars, the Indy Racing League has released their objectives for the new machine, which is scheduled to debut in 2012.

Dallara, Delta Wing, Lola and Swift are the four groups in discussion with league officials about designing, manufacturing and supplying the cars to IZOD IndyCar Series teams. They’ll have a list of goals to check off from the IRL, including mandates to make the cars lighter in weight, have bigger space for sponsor logos, and cost-effective.

But the top priority for the new chassis is, as always, safety.

“Our drivers take the greatest risks in the world of sports driving Indy cars and it is paramount we have the best safety features designed into this next generation of cars,” said IRL president of competition Brian Barnhart in a press release.

Here is the full list of objectives from the league:

- Safe: The new chassis must adhere to the league’s already high safety standards while exploring new technology to improve safety in all aspects of the car.

- Raceable: The new chassis must continue to produce the exciting racing that has become signature of the IZOD IndyCar Series while not affecting other cars on track (i.e. less sensitive to the turbulence).

- Cost-effective: The league continues to work to reduce the cost of participation for teams in the IZOD IndyCar Series, which remains an important priority in this economic climate. The new chassis must have a price point that adheres to that goal.

- American-made: The new chassis must be built in the U.S., preferably at an Indiana-based facility.

- Less mass/More efficient: A lighter chassis with less mass that produces the same aerodynamic effect in an efficient way.

- Relevant technology: The league would like the new chassis to be relevant to the future of the consumer auto industry; innovative technology that is born on the racetrack and can translate to consumer cars.

- Modern Look: More space for sponsor logos, cars easily identifiable.

- Green: The Indy Racing League prides itself on its role in the greening of racing and wants to maintain its position as a leader in environmentally-friendly initiatives with this chassis.

We’ll get to see the Delta Wing prototype debut next week at the Chicago Auto Show, but Dallara, the league’s current chassis manufacturer, is set to roll out their concepts for the 2012 IndyCar tomorrow. 

One of Dallara's concepts for the new IndyCar chassis, set to debut in 2012.

What you’re seeing up above is one of the three concepts that the Italian manufacturer has come up with, “Concept 1.” It appears that they’ve taken elements from race cars in various racing series. You can see a longer, sleeker version of the “bubble” that has been on the Dallara since 2003, but also the Champ Car roll hoop and a Formula One shark fin that emanates from the engine cowling.

Judging from those elements, as well as the sidepods, this appears to be a more traditional design by Dallara. But that’s not all they had in their heads…

Notice the raised sidepods on this second Dallara concept.

Unless I am visually mistaken, the standard IRL airbox returns in “Concept 2.” But that’s a small matter compared to the bulked-up sidepods that gradually slope downward. It appears that increased sponsor signage is a main point with this car, which seems to strike a balance between the old (the airbox) and the new (the sloping sidepods).

Dallara's most daring of their three IndyCar concepts.

Finally, we have “Concept 3,” easily the most radical-looking of the Dallara bunch. The sidepods stretch all the way from the front to the rear, where its edges go right into the rear wheel barge that covers all but the top quarter of the tire! Also, check out the rear wing and notice that there’s no center post — from the looks of this, it appears the wing plates are attached to the body itself instead of being in their normal position.

From what I’ve been told, Dallara has made this car lighter and more efficient than their current chassis. Even more importantly for teams, they’ll be cheaper too.

I’ve only had a half-hour with these pictures, but as of now, I’m more keen on the second concept. I look at the first concept and all I can see is a hodgepodge of different elements that aren’t original. I like the cojones Dallara showed on the design of Concept 3, but I’m worried about that rear wing.

As for the second concept, I think it addresses a key problem in my opinion — the lack of ad space on IndyCars. If you’re going 200+ miles an hour, you need all the space you can get if you’re a sponsor. The cars are going so fast, not many people are going to catch the product being pushed. Now, NASCAR stock cars go pretty quick as well (if not as quickly as the IndyCars), but the boxy shape of their machines are nice, big ”rolling billboards.” There’s enough space on the stock cars to counteract the speed.

On Concept 2, I see two big areas for signage on the sidepods. The primary sponsor can go on the “slope,” while an associate sponsor that wants some decent air time can go on the lower surface that’s flat and curved. It’s a two-for-one that can help sponsors get a better chance of having a solid return of investment, which is pretty important for companies in this current economy.

However, even if Dallara does get the nod from the IRL, whatever concept they choose will be jeered if it isn’t safe and it fails to enhance the declining on-track product that we’ve seen in recent years. That goes for Delta Wing, Lola and Swift as well.

So what do you think of the Dallara concepts? Which one do you like the best and why? Feel free to leave your comments!