Wednesday, July 14, 2010

It's D(ecision) Day!

Not to speak in overly fatalistic terms (but I'm going to)...Also known as: the single most important day in the history of American Open Wheel Racing. This is the day that could make or break open-wheeling in this part of the world, and I think it's all pretty damn exciting. This July 14, we break down the walls of the Bastille and unleash a revolution upon the old guard of King Dallara XIV and Marie Honda-nette.

(Fortunately for our kind monarchs, there should be a place for them in our new order...nobody's head is being chopped off today)

Now, most people seem to think that this is a straight, put-'em-in-the-corners-and-fight competition between the five chassis manufacturers for the right to build everybody's car for five or so years -- much in the way Dallara has done for the past several. On the surface, that seems like a fair assessment, as a single supplier would theoretically create a healthy, wallet-friendly environment for IndyCar's cash-strapped teams.

However, there are two people who seem to believe we might be headed towards chassis "competition". (Competition is in quotes because I think it means competition on the track, and not open competition to outspend each other into oblivion.) Those two people happen to be the go-to sources on all things IndyCar: Curt Cavin and Robin Miller.

Cavin has said explicitly on his radio show that he believes Lola and Dallara, having the financial wherewithal and past experience that the others don't have, will be put against each other.

Miller has been a tougher nut to crack. First of all, if you listen to Miller's interviews (especially those with old buddy JMV on 1070 The Fan), I think it's pretty clear that he is well aware of the direction in which the series is going. Unfortunately, whereas Miller would blatantly out news of the old administration to the world because he obviously didn't like them, he's been keeping quotes from his good, sprint car-watchin' buddy Randy Bernard very close to the chest. His assessment on Monday's JMV show was, in essence, "The next IndyCar will be cheap, and I think a lot of people are going to like it." He also made mention of the possibility of ginormous European engine manufacturers having their ears turned towards Mr. Bernard -- exciting stuff!

I tend to believe the idea that there will be competition, a) because of what's been said by Cavin and Miller, and b) because this poster says "Future Car Strategy Anouncement"...that seems like something a little more than just a chassis being unveiled to me.

An initial round of photographs (including the entirely awesome stage setup...props to whoever designed that) can be found HERE. Announcement runs live on the always...er...reliable IndyCar live feed from IndyCar.com, and probably on some local Indianapolis news stations as well. Fallout forthcoming in four hours...

UPDATE!
The announcement has come and gone; Dallara "safety tubs" (or some such thing) with whatever body paneling, within cost and reason, that you'd like. I'm going to process some more info and reaction, then write a post. My initial reaction: totally dig it.

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