2012 Indy Car

Buckterrier · 02-22-2012, 09:34 AM

Well guys what do you think? This is the, (almost), finished version of the Lotus Indy car that the Dreyer-Reinbold racing team will run. I have a family member that is associated with the team.

It will be an interesting season.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Thank God there's livery to hide how ugly that car looks.

ckissick · 02-22-2012, 09:55 AM

I don't think they care about ugly. They care about aerodynamics. Apparently, the most aerodynamic configuration is not very pleasing to the eye.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

will that team be at sears point this weekend testing with many of the other teams?

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

It's not just about aerodynamics. There's a lot of ugly in the new IndyCar design due to attempts at engineering in safety (note the barge boards and nearly-enclosed rear wheels, for example, which are meant to minimize wheel-to-wheel contact and interlocking wheels).

motion · 02-22-2012, 10:14 AM

FUGLY. I'll watch one race, just for morbid curiosity reasons.

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

Wheelbase looks stretched. Re-skinned old car and a compromise for stability issues?? Steering wheel is face planted to drivers visor. Ala NASCAR. Hope its not the same old major back injury crash laden machine thats wrecking more than the few cars the league has.

Also, no disrespect to Mr. Gurney but whats the latest on that whacky batmobile looking narrow front car and why?

League is scrambling for teams. Old N-Haas team seems out but back in as last ditch helper outer whatever. Even Bourdais might be back in a seat although for another team. Hmmm.

tchanson · 02-22-2012, 10:24 AM

Its better from some angles than others, but still strange overall.

On the plus side, its still better looking than a Daytona "Prototype".

Tim

URY914 · URY914's Garage

Spec racers suck.

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

Spec racers suck.

+1
Spec racers have a purpose but not in the big leagues. Enforce rules but let the engineers show creativity. If some manufacturer runs away, so what? Add some restrictions to close the gap but let the engineers have some fun. The same with powerplants, trans, etc.. Yes I know, this league can't afford it and ever since the screwed up divide, this formula has self destructed. Wish we could bring the old days back.

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

It's not just about aerodynamics. There's a lot of ugly in the new IndyCar design due to attempts at engineering in safety (note the barge boards and nearly-enclosed rear wheels, for example, which are meant to minimize wheel-to-wheel contact and interlocking wheels).

Exactly... but will encourage drivers trading paint.

herr_oberst · 02-22-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

It's not just about aerodynamics. There's a lot of ugly in the new IndyCar design due to attempts at engineering in safety (note the barge boards and nearly-enclosed rear wheels, for example, which are meant to minimize wheel-to-wheel contact and interlocking wheels).

All true, and Indycar has a ways to go to catch up (get it!) with 2012 F1cars when it comes to fugly, but they're getting close. . . .

Amail · 02-22-2012, 11:47 AM

What's with all the whining about ugly? Racing is not about being pretty. Go sign up on forums.mycrystaltiara.com if you're concerned about pretty.

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amail

What's with all the whining about ugly? Racing is not about being pretty. Go sign up on forums.mycrystaltiara.com if you're concerned about pretty.

Oh I see, isn't that about Danica in bikinis? Indy Car rode her good while it was supposed to be about racing. Go daddio go!

herr_oberst · 02-22-2012, 12:04 PM

Speaking for myself, the problem with fugly is, when I was younger, these and many other examples of pretty race cars really rang my bell, and I can't un-ring that bell.
(I know; the 312T is only a model)

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amail

What's with all the whining about ugly? Racing is not about being pretty. Go sign up on forums.mycrystaltiara.com if you're concerned about pretty.

Good point. The goal is to win the race, not have a pretty car. But if you're writing the rules, why deliberately write them to engineer an ugly car? It's spec racing right now. Why write the specs to mandate something ugly?

Did they not learn from the Daytona Prototype fiasco? Who in the general public lusts to have one of those bricks in their fantasy garage? But I (an average fan) would love to see a Ferrari 512, or Porsche 917, or Nissan R390, or Audi R18 (to continue the DP/prototype comparison). Pretty helps sell tickets.

Buckterrier · 02-22-2012, 12:38 PM

I totally agree about the spec racing concept, it sucks. At least Indy is compromising a bit. Yes they have the same tubs but I understand that there are 2 or 3 aero package manufactures that can submit their wares. So unlike crashcar that has the same everything Indy has different engines, (REALLY different engines), as opposed to different names and different aero packages.
Kinda spec racing with less specs

Amail · 02-22-2012, 12:42 PM

I may well be in the minority. I've been following F1 for years and have been happily oblivious to whether or not I find the cars pretty. I like the action, the noise, and wanting to curl up in a fetal position watching onboard video going thru eau rouge. I look for turn in points, track out points, and marvel at these guys hitting their apexes Every. Single. Time. That's what makes me watch racing.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

I watch racing for cool cars with interesting engineering. So spec racing is a fail. And F1 is forever tightening restrictions. I no longer watch. Just sportscars, which are now weird with the fins but not so bad as F1 cars.

GT is where it's at. But then you have balance of performance.

How about MotoGP?

Buckterrier · 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amail

I may well be in the minority. I've been following F1 for years and have been happily oblivious to whether or not I find the cars pretty. I like the action, the noise, and wanting to curl up in a fetal position watching onboard video going thru eau rouge. I look for turn in points, track out points, and marvel at these guys hitting their apexes Every. Single. Time. That's what makes me watch racing.

You have a point but think of it this way...
Would you rather have a smokin' hot chick in a bikini, (or good in bed), or an ugly one all things being equal?
Of course we all know about smokin' hot chicks. Somewhere someone is tired of their shyte.
So never mind, carry on