The View From The Hairpin - 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series

[thehairpin]

Archive list: October 26, 2011

confirmed/highly likely - 26
chip ganassi racing - 4 (honda) franchitti, dixon, rahal, kimball
andretti autosport - 4 (chevrolet) m. Andretti, hunter-reay, conway, ?
Team penske - 3 (chevrolet) power, castroneves, briscoe
kv racing technology - 2 (chevrolet) kanaan, sato
newman-haas racing - 2 (honda?/lotus?) servia, hinchcliffe
dale coyne racing - 2 (?) bourdais, jakes
dreyer & reinbold racing - 1 (?) wilson?/beatriz?
Panther racing - 1 (chevrolet) hildebrand
a.j. Foyt enterprises - 1 (honda) baguette?
Hvm racing - 1 (lotus) de silvestro
bryan herta autosport - 1-2 (honda?) tagliani?, ? - second may be ovals only
dragon - 1 (honda?) tracy?
Conquest racing - 1 (lotus) saavedra?
Sarah fisher racing - 1 (honda?) carpenter - ovals only possible
michael shank - 1 (lotus) ?

possible - 12
sam schmidt motorsports - 2 (honda) pagenaud, newgarden?
Dreyer & reinbold racing - 1 extra (?) wilson?/beatriz?
Panther racing - 1 extra (chevrolet) ?
A.j. Foyt enterprises - 1 extra (honda) ? (four drivers in consideration)
hvm racing - 1 extra (?) ?
Bryan herta autosport - 1 extra (honda?) ?
Kv racing technology - 1 extra (chevrolet) viso?
Dragon - 1 extra (?) ?
Rahal-letterman-lanigan - 1 (?) ? (indy at minimum)
walker - 1 (?) ?
Kingdom - 1 (?) ?

indy 500 one-off possibilities - 3
schmidt - 1 extra (honda) - ?
Dreyer & reinbold - 1 extra (?) - ?
Andretti autosport - 1 extra (chevrolet) - patrick

tech alliance-only possibilities - 2
sh racing (team redline xtreme) (?)
afs racing (?)

[bud7486]

The #18 car had a lotus paint scheme at Las Vegas, I think thats probably confirmation of Dayle Coyne being with Lotus next year.

[AFColt]

The #18 car had a lotus paint scheme at Las Vegas, I think thats probably confirmation of Dayle Coyne being with Lotus next year.

It was due to Jakes wrecking and DCR borrowing replacement parts from KV Racing, as far as I know. DCR may full well be with Lotus, but I don't believe that particular item had any significance towards the fact.

[IB2]

The #18 car had a lotus paint scheme at Las Vegas, I think thats probably confirmation of Dayle Coyne being with Lotus next year.

It was borrowed from KV after fire...

[piercey]

I thought RHR was confirmed at Andretti for next year. Also, when did Servia get firmed up?

[etimh]

Any speculation on where Meira might end up? It would be great to see him get with somebody who could give him that elusive first.

[Threewide]

I thought RHR was confirmed at Andretti for next year. Also, when did Servia get firmed up?

Yes, he's fulltime with Andretti Autosport next year.

[Threewide]

Any speculation on where Meira might end up? It would be great to see him get with somebody who could give him that elusive first.

He's going to have to find money to be able to race. It won't be with any top team out there either.

[penskefan4ever]

Archive list: October 26, 2011

6 Teams are after Justin Wilson: If all of the rumors are true, Justin Wilson will drive for A.J. Foyt, Bobby Rahal, Dreyer & Reinbold, Michael Andretti, Michael Shank and a new Lotus team--built specifically for the 33-year-old Briton--next year.

[SEVista]

6 Teams are after Justin Wilson: If all of the rumors are true, Justin Wilson will drive for A.J. Foyt, Bobby Rahal, Dreyer & Reinbold, Michael Andretti, Michael Shank and a new Lotus team--built specifically for the 33-year-old Briton--next year.

I can confirm that I have heard about 80% of this, as well.

Lotus is also hearing the rumors that they may not answer the bell at the first race of the season. The rumor heard was they were going to ask Indy Car for a delay to May 1, 2012. I think they have the hustle on now that the HVM lease deal is in place and Lotus has made the financial commitment to finishing the engine sooner than later.

I still stand by the reliable rumor from a Ford source that they are waiting in the wings to take over Lotus in 2013 if the economic environment is right and Lotus needs to get out.

[piercey]

6 Teams are after Justin Wilson: If all of the rumors are true, Justin Wilson will drive for A.J. Foyt, Bobby Rahal, Dreyer & Reinbold, Michael Andretti, Michael Shank and a new Lotus team--built specifically for the 33-year-old Briton--next year.

He's for sure getting chased around. Midweek Motorsport posted an interview with him acknowledging he is at several doorsteps.

One of the more interesting comments out of that same interview: apparently rumor around the paddock is the Lotus might have the best fuel millage out of the 3 engines.

[Glenn]

He's for sure getting chased around. Midweek Motorsport posted an interview with him acknowledging he is at several doorsteps.

One of the more interesting comments out of that same interview: apparently rumor around the paddock is the Lotus might have the best fuel millage out of the 3 engines.

Best fuel mileage typically also equates to the least horsepower.

[piercey]

Best fuel mileage typically also equates to the least horsepower.

Considering Indy has come down to fuel for the last few years, I think that's something to consider

[Glenn]

Considering Indy has come down to fuel for the last few years, I think that's something to consider

You got me there! I hate Illinois Nazi's and fuel mileage races.

[aaron5572]

one of the more interesting comments out of that same interview: Apparently rumor around the paddock is the lotus might have the best fuel millage out of the 3 engines.

please dear god let that be true

[Mikemat5150]

Best fuel mileage typically also equates to the least horsepower.

Horsepower isn't everything. The Renault engine supposedly is down on power but good on fuel economy and look how good RBR is

[aaron5572]

they also have a tricked-out chassis

[martyrothrules]

Soooooo... with Rahal signed with Honda per Dave Furst who do we think is in the running for that seat(s)?

Justin Wilson
Paul Tracy - Honda connection
Vitor Miera
Buddy Rice
Jay Howard
Pippa Mann


I've also seen that Fuzzy's Vodka will be announcing their 2012 IndyCar plans next week.

[Muskie4041]

I'd love to see Baguette in the RLL seat.

[martyrothrules]

I'd love to see Baguette in the RLL seat.

Good call, I'm not sure why I forgot what he did with them in May. He seems to match Bobby's personality well.

[aaron5572]

It was due to Jakes wrecking and DCR borrowing replacement parts from KV Racing, as far as I know. DCR may full well be with Lotus, but I don't believe that particular item had any significance towards the fact.

Jimmy Jakes should be back with Coyne too. Dale really likes him and his dad is rich as hell.

[BretEarl]

The Lotus fuel mileage rumors go hand in hand with it weighing 20lbs less than the Honda and Chevy.

[aaron5572]

The Lotus fuel mileage rumors go hand in hand with it weighing 20lbs less than the Honda and Chevy.

In your opinion, why would the engine weigh that much less, I'm not really technical and was curious. What design trick would they be using?

[Racing Truth]

Soooooo... with Rahal signed with Honda per Dave Furst who do we think is in the running for that seat(s)?

Justin Wilson
Paul Tracy - Honda connection
Vitor Miera
Buddy Rice
Jay Howard
Pippa Mann


I've also seen that Fuzzy's Vodka will be announcing their 2012 IndyCar plans next week.

Whoa, Rahal full-time in '12? That's NOT small news, folks. Oh, and ditto Bread Boy for the seat.

[Glenn]

In your opinion, why would the engine weigh that much less, I'm not really technical and was curious. What design trick would they be using?

Judicious design, eliminating all unnecessary metal in the block and heads. Plastic where aluminum had been used. And you are right, 20 pounds is a lot, but of course it's only a rumor right now.

[WillMazeo]

Horsepower isn't everything. The Renault engine supposedly is down on power but good on fuel economy and look how good RBR is

That's more about the chassis than the engine IMO.

[penskefan4ever]

Soooooo... with Rahal signed with Honda per Dave Furst who do we think is in the running for that seat(s)?

He also said Newman/Haas is with Honda as well, that completes the Honda lineup now he said.

[aaron5572]

Judicious design, eliminating all unnecessary metal in the block and heads. Plastic where aluminum had been used. And you are right, 20 pounds is a lot, but of course it's only a rumor right now.

would the less amount of metal make it more susceptible to failure? (weaker?) I just can't understand how one could "outsmart" Honda and Chevy like that unless it would be a big gamble

[Glenn]

would the less amount of metal make it more susceptible to failure? (weaker?) I just can't understand how one could "outsmart" Honda and Chevy like that unless it would be a big gamble

You are right, it's very hard to outsmart the other guys. Maybe they have a smaller V angle on the block, even though, why wouldn't the other guys also do this? It does affect weight but possible at the detriment of increased vibration. I guess I won't believe it until I see it. But 20 pounds lighter engine would allow them to place the weight at a better location (since they will still have to meet the vehicle min weight).

[aaron5572]

You are right, it's very hard to outsmart the other guys. Maybe they have a smaller V angle on the block, even though, why wouldn't the other guys also do this? It does affect weight but possible at the detriment of increased vibration. I guess I won't believe it until I see it. But 20 pounds lighter engine would allow them to place the weight at a better location (since they will still have to meet the vehicle min weight).

very interesting, if its true it would be hilarious to see Simona with the best engine, hope it happens