Last December, it was announced that Dallara would continue to supply chassis and components for the IndyCar paddock. At that time, I deduce that this will lead to a continuation of the existing DW12 framework for at least a few more years. On Wednesday, IndyCar announced that the current DW12 framework will continue for at least a few more years. The series spec frame made its debut during the race in 2012.
The current framework will continue to run until at least the end of 2023 season, meaning every IndyCar race for twelve seasons will be run on the Dallara DW12 framework. The car is currently undergoing a second redesign. There was the original standard chassis aerokit, which was replaced by the manufacturer’s aerokit between 2015 and 2018. Since the 2019 season began, all teams have been forced to rerun the same aerokit. . Technically, the aeroscreen was added for the 2020 season, so if you count that, it’s been redesigned three times.
“I don’t feel urgent at all [to develop a new car]for no reason at all,” said series boss Roger Penske tell Racer. “When you think back, and I don’t know exactly how many cars are in use, but there are probably 60 or 65 cars, and it costs $600,000 per car to replace them, given the situation,” he said. Racing as intense as it is today, right’ doesn’t make sense to me. “
“We had safe cars,” continued Penske. “You have seen the accidents. You’ve seen what spray paint screens can do from a capability and safety standpoint, and this will continue from an IndyCar standpoint to make cars better.
“The next hill to climb is for hybrid cars to run. We are not going on vacation as we moved this back in 12 months. In fact, we’re doubling down on meetings with Chevy and with Honda to make sure they’re working together as a team to understand how this new hybrid system will be used by everyone. We will put more and more effort into getting hybrids ready.
“We’ve had a lot of trouble because of the supply chain and COVID, but what I love is that we just had a test run in Indianapolis, where both manufacturers ran over 600 miles, first time on the track. , with our new engine in a pretty impressive car. ”
Dallara has been with IndyCar as a chassis manufacturer for 27 years and has been the sole supplier of chassis to the sport since 2003. The previous frame, IR-03, played from 2003 to 2011 before retiring. With the previous car running for nine seasons, it feels like an old race car. DW12 has gone through 11 seasons and still has one more season to go.
Since IndyCar postponed the new 2.4-liter engine and hybrid powertrain to the 2024 season, Dallara had another year to develop that next-generation chassis. Since the teams are already testing the new 2.4-liter in an old chassis, I’d love to see all of these new components introduced piecemeal as they are built. It would be really great to see the 2.4-liter engine and/or chassis replaced for the 2023 season, with the hybrid system pushed back to 2024.
It’s clear that Penske is the most interested in the sport, so it’s not really surprising that he’s making the mistake of reducing costs for teams. I still question, however, whether the car will be able to withstand the rigors of racing in 2023 as those same teams continue to get faster with each passing year.
