2019 Indy Car

DS Techeetah is a Chinese manufacturer.

BHW

 

Yes Techeetah is Chinese but this is in association with French manufacturer Citroen: DS is the luxury brand of Citroen like Lexus for Toyota. Citroen and DS are marketed in China but not in the US.

www.dsautomobiles.fr

 

Hybrid technology had to happen in Indycar. It was inevitable. Makes me sad, as I suppose I and just old school when it comes to racing. Nothing sounds as good as a screaming non-electrified F1 car, and I still haven't fully embraced the turbo V6 sound of an Indycar. But, no one in Indycar really cares about my opinion.

 

Welcome to 2019. It isn't about what you want. It is about shoving something down your throat. It is why the sport has never recovered. This was supposed to be design for a new generation of fans. I don't see them getting the attendance or ratings of the previous product. Not only was the target market missed, but you sent your previous fans walking. Somehow the marketing department of ICS didn't hit the target on either count. If they think that the hybrid technology is going to fix the problem they have another thought coming. ICS is simply following the herd. In 5 years every racing series will have this technology. Where is the breakout for this series that will separate it from the rest? It is just another heat and serve product.

 

ICS is at the mercy of the OEM manufacturers. If they feel the need to have a hybrid to market it to consumers then they are going to direct that. Doubtful any series would want something that will be more expensive and complicated but of course they need to have manufacturers behind the series. Judd or other specialty brands aren't enough to hype a series and get any fan interest. Unless you had multiple manufacturers say "I'm not interested in hybrid technology, let's go with fast, loud, screaming engines" and sign up then this is how it was always going to go. Seems a reasonable compromise with what they have discussed.

 

why don't we just go back to Offys?!?!?!

cost controlled, no manufacturers, and all the geezers will be happy as pigs in slop!

 

While we're at it, why don't they go back to Marmon Wasps?

Seriously guys...

BHW

 

Your first sentence says it all. Remember one thing....sooner or later you run out of OPM. Then you are up **** creek without a paddle. ICS better figure out how they are going to compete when the manufacturers coffers run dry. And they will run dry.

 

Corrected that for you

 

Ha! Thanks!

BHW

 

But if a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it...does it make a sound?

If no one watches - who cares how many manufacturers? I watched a few laps of Formula E, and seriously would have rather watched paint dry. LAME!

 

Formula E=Formula Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

I have a can of Glidden White for application on Saturday. Say, 1pm and you bring the beer?

 

McLaren partners with Arrow SPM for full-time IndyCar program

https://racer.com/2019/08/09/mclaren-partners-with-arrow-spm-for-full-time-indycar-program/

 

https://racer.com/2019/08/09/where-does-the-mclaren-deal-leave-arrow-spms-current-drivers/

https://racer.com/2019/08/09/meyer-shank-considering-options-after-mclaren-spm-union/

https://racer.com/2019/08/09/arrow-mclaren-sp-chevy-deal-shifts-indycar-manufacturer-balance/

https://racer.com/2019/08/09/mclaren-open-to-adding-third-2020-indycar-for-alonso/

 

This is outstanding news. McSPM! I have much higher hopes than this year's fiasco. At last, they will be involved full time. I am sorry for Hinch though, while the team may want to keep him, he's so tied with Honda I assume he'll end up elsewhere, possibly a 3rd seat at RLL along with Rahal and Sato. He's Honda's official spokesman in Canada and he's the best PR savy driver in the series. I think Honda will move heaven and earth to keep him.

SPM, like RLL, are a not quite top team. You've got Penske, Andretti, and Gannasi at the top, while SPM and RLL aren't quite playing at that level they are clear of the Foyt's, Carlins, Coyne's. Hopefully McLaren have had time to lick their wounds, learn some humility and will make a great partner for SPM.

Now let's start a rumor that McLaren will become the third engine supplier!!! That is a joke in case humor doesn't come over the internet.

 

Hinch put out a statement

 

Good news. Not the strongest partner for McLaren but definitely good for Indycar.

 

Looks like Hinch is going Chevy. I wonder how much that will cost him in sponsorship dollars from Honda.

 

Aaaahhh, but maybe, juuuussst maybe, with a little help from Gil..........
https://racer.com/2019/08/09/interview-de-ferrans-plans-for-mclarens-indycar-program/?utm_source=smg&utm_medium=wasabi&utm_content=recirc-auto-related
Here's hopin'..... :fingerscrossed:

 

A half baked apology for an event that should have never happened. Take your ego's out of overdrive gentlemen. You blew it big time. Accept the fact you were ill prepared and overestimated your capacities. Now you simply are working off of those who put in the work. I hope your results garner similar outcomes. You missed the basic concept of what a "team" is.

 

Tp - I'm a bit surprised. Zak did so months ago.

 

Hmmmm....remind me, please....I don't remember when Offies were mandated.
And, what makes you so sure, how many decades of technology later, they wouldn't be good power sources anyhow?

Marmon? If they were still around and allowed to build and enter cars (along with anyone else),,,,,that would be fantastic.
Look at the variety of the rest of the entries that first year.... http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/race.php?raceid=20000

 

It's like the saga never ends. Now we simply move to an established team and rely on their expertise for the results. It is a plus for SPM, but i do not see them offering nothing more than a competitive ride. They work too hard not to win the 500 for themselves. This simply is a heat and serve operation under the McLaren name.

 

What I still don't get is, if McLaren is a major automotive manufacturer on the world stage now and
competing in the market place against the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Acura NSX, etc. then why/how
is it that they don't have a go at Indy Car racing on their own?

Likewise, they've got McLaren badged engines in their road and GT racing cars but in F-1 they're
hooked up with Renault now and Chevrolet in Indy Car. You don't walk into a McLaren dealer
and ask to see the Senna Renault or P1 Chevy now do you?

BHW