Just How Fast Does the IRL Wanna Go?
The lap speeds achieved during the Indianapolis 500 approached 230 mph. Without looking I seem to recall one stop on the IndyCar tour speeds of 235 mph were recorded. (correct me that is incorrect)
The IRL has announced they will be boosting engine displacement for the 2007 season. The Honda powered rockets will go from a 3.0 liter configuration to 3.4 liters, a size the league last used during the 2004 season.
IRL spokesman John Griffin says the change is to extend the life of the engines (up to 300 miles is the claim) and “provide more torque for drivers on road and street circuits.”
All well and good I suppose, extended engine life saves everyone cash, but I wonder if that suggests the Series may schedule more road course events in the future. The current sched only has the IRL visit 3 road courses out of 14 events. If that is true, is it a move towards a reconciliation with CCWS and their all road course schedule? We’ll see when the 2007 IRL schedule hits the street.
Then there is the question of speed. It’s hard to tell what the increase of .4 of a liter will do until it happens, but I think it would be safe to guess 240 mph isn’t out of the question. So just how fast do they feel they need to go? Maybe some tweaking of the aerodynamics will also occur that will slow the top end speeds.
The first test of the engine figures to be late next month, Griffin said, perhaps at DIS if the series lands a testing agreement there. Can you spell 250 mph? Of course it could also mean DIS will be the sight of another road course event.
It’s all speculation at this point and something to watch as more rumors float to the surface on an open wheel merger and when the new schedules come out.
IndyCar, DIS, Daytona International Speedway, IRL, Honda, Sports, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
Care to recall their first attempt at Texas, and driver blackouts?
Wow.
Even without the increase, I’d rather be in a stock car without a plate at Daytona than be in an IRL car at anything other than a short track. And the speeds they run at Richmond has be on the bubble of saying screw that too. No thanks, I like my backside intact.
I had forgotten about the Texas thing.
I have always had the opinion that whether a fan is in the stands or watching on TV they can’t possibly tell the difference between say, 200 mph and 175 mph (or less).
Every time I get in a discussion about NASCAR restrictor plates and the best method to get rid of them is to cut speeds by 25 mph no one can reliably, and categorically
state they could tell the difference.
I can’t answer the question of what the change in oval speed would be, however, something has to be done for the cars in road course configuration. The lack of torque makes them look ridiculous when you watch on TV.They seem so sluggish coming out of the corners & under acceleration. A F3 or FAtlantic looks more credible.