IRL cars to race at DAYTONA?

[thebear]

There will be a "Test Session" on 26 & 27 SEP. Thebear will be participating as a marshal.

There is also a possibilty of a race in 2008.

[McKay]

No I don't believe it, the banking is way too high, the G-Force would be too much. Like when CART went to Texas only worse (2001)

[thebear]

Originally Posted by McKay

No I don't believe it, the banking is way too high, the G-Force would be too much. Like when CART went to Texas only worse (2001)

Click on the links in the my prior post. They will take you to the complete stories. They will NOT be using the "Tri-Oval". Only Speedway 3 & 4.

[kingfloopy]

It would be interesting even if they did only end up on the road course. I think that it would be interesting if they could figure out someway to race on the oval, but like it was said the banking and speed would be insane. Maybe they could work something out aero or engine wise to allow that to happen?

J.D.

[thebear]

Originally Posted by kingfloopy

It would be interesting even if they did only end up on the road course. I think that it would be interesting if they could figure out someway to race on the oval, but like it was said the banking and speed would be insane. Maybe they could work something out aero or engine wise to allow that to happen?J.D.

The sports car "Road Course" at Daytona is 3.58 miles and it includes all of the Speedway's Tri-Oval with the exception of of about ¼ mile from pit out to Speedway 1. That is where the cars `take the infield' and then return to the oval. The "Bus Stop" chicaine was added to the backstretch in order to slow down the cars prior to the entry to Speedway 3.

The only alternative to not using any banking would be the infield only. See 3, 4, 5 & 6 below. There is a l/h cutoff just before 6 that connects backto turn 3.

It is used by SCCA for drivers schools and is only about 1.6 miles.

Click HERE for a track map. Please note that the map is INVERTED and East is on the LEFT.

Speedway 1 & 2 are on the right, 3 & 4 on the left.

The road course turns/Flag Stations are numbered as follows:

1. Immediately after pit out (l/h)
2. half way 'round (still l/h)
3. East Horsehoe (r/h)
4. Kink (l/h)
5. West Horsehoe (r/h)
6. Entrance to Speedway 1 (l/h)
7. Entrance to the Chicaine (l/h)
8. Exit of the Chicaine/entrance to Speedway 3 (r/h).

I am not sure how they are going to get out of the infield at turn 5 and onto the backstraight. The map does not show all the new access roads or the recent tunnel under Speedway 1.

Watch this space for updates next week.

[drdisque]

The Indycars will not be using Speedway 1, they will be using the new motorcycle course that dumps back onto the oval at the beginning of the backstretch, then to the chicane, then 3/4 to the tri-oval and back onto the infield.

[McKay]

I get confused because not only is Daytona a 'Tri-Oval' but the bit at the start finish line is called a 'Tri-Oval'. Which bit do you people refer to?

[thebear]

Originally Posted by McKay

I get confused because not only is Daytona a 'Tri-Oval' but the bit at the start finish line is called a 'Tri-Oval'. Which bit do you people refer to?

The general configuration of the Speedway is caled a 'Tri-Oval' because of the piece at the s/f line wich is referred to locally as a 'Tri-Oval'. You are correct in both your statements.

I belive that the 'Tri-Oval' at the s/f was a first for any oval track and it is called that by the TV commentators when there is any `action' taking place on that part of the course.

[Hazza]

Gah! That Bike course is darn right stupid imho.

Not to mention dangerous, they race flat out through a tight corner that if they stuff up, they go headfirst into a wall. Crazy stuff.

I think thats the wall i'm thinking of to the left there in the background.



http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image...aytona/8/1.htm

[thebear]

Originally Posted by Hazza

Gah! That Bike course is darn right stupid imho.

Not to mention dangerous, they race flat out through a tight corner that if they stuff up, they go headfirst into a wall. Crazy stuff.

This picture would appear to be at the East end of the speedway and not the same as the proposed tests.

As mentioned earlier, "Watch This Space". I'll be there.

Incedentally, photos have been specifically restricted to "Credentialed Media" so the Marshals are out in the cold and my trusty Nikon willhave to remain in the car.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally Posted by McKay

No I don't believe it, the banking is way too high, the G-Force would be too much. Like when CART went to Texas only worse (2001)

Off Topic, but response caused by the posts on racing at Daytona.

Mr. McKay, this is not to insult you so do not take it as such.

I often wondered why high speed tracks, seemed to put such fear into many fans, nowadays, well oddly enough, a classic bike magazine I read recently explains it, at least to me; there is a huge, enormous difference in approaches to, and expectations in life.

In the magazine several gents rode GP and F1 motorcycles from the early eighties at Goodwood.
Two fellows were born in the very early eighties, and they said of Sheenes and Roberts bike respectively"
On Sheene's - The brakes don't work, and it is far faster than I thought it was, it must have been very hard to race."

On Robert's - "The brakes don't work, it is unbelievable, the race laps they cut with these bikes."

Now the other fellow was ten years older:

On Mick Grant's bike - " It is smaller than I thought it was, the brakes are ok. It is a long reach to the bars, but I like this bike.

The difference in attitudes show here, in just ten years, I can only imagine the difference in approaches on life twenty or thirty years makes.

The above are paraphrases as I do not have photographic memory.
Bob
PS - I think it is foolish if they race at Daytona, as it is more an act of desperation and France influence than anything else.

[drdisque]

Here is a map of the course the IRL will use at Daytona

[drdisque]

deleted

[thebear]

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

PS - I think it is foolish if they race at Daytona, as it is more an act of desperation and France influence than anything else.

I am a stockholder in "International Speedway Corp.", the owners/operators of Daytona International Speedway. Approximately six years ago at the Annual Meeting of the stockhokders I raised the following question "Will we ever see Professional Open Wheeled cars racing at Daytona?" I specifically mentioned Professional as SCCA's Regional & National races have various open wheeled classes. In addition, I did not wish to provide an IRL vs CART controversy.

Bill France, Jr. replied to my question with one word, "NO". There was no discussion or explanation offered.

There has been a multi-year relationship between NA$SCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I believe that the IRL at Daytona is just the "natural progression of dollars" rather than a "France Family" influence.

BF, Jr has not been as involved in the day-to-day operations but I am sure his `shadow' is felt.

[kingfloopy]

I think a lot of it is that they want to bring more events to Daytona. It used to just be a couple of Cup events, but now they have all three major NASCAR series, bikes, Grand Am, and IROC events. Money is obviously the main contributor in all this, but I think some of it is that they want to show off Daytona.

J.D.

[thebear]

Originally Posted by drdisque

Here is a map of the course the IRL will use at Daytona

From my earlier post and revised as indicated:

The road course turns/Flag Stations are numbered as follows:

1. Immediately after pit out (l/h) Should be a real test of "cojones" and brakes. The track at this point is wide enough for two racecars, if they respect each other.

2. half way 'round (still l/h)

3. East Horsehoe (r/h)

4. Kink (l/h)

5. West Horsehoe (r/h)The turn is now a l/h and has been moved halfway between 4 & 5 and goes along the West side of "Lake Loyd"

6. Entrance to Speedway 1 (l/h) The turn is still l/h but enters the backstretch about ¼ mile past the exit of Speedway 2.

7. Entrance to the Chicaine (l/h) Note: The illustrations of the chicaine are incorrect on BOTH images. It was revised so the r/h swerve to return to the original part of the track has been moved closer to the entrance of the chicaine. This prevents drivers fron retaining too much speed during the r/h transition. It also requires constant maintenance by the Marshals and the Speedway in order to clear the accumulated grass and dirt from the track.

8. Exit of the Chicaine/entrance to Speedway 3 (r/h). Note: Flag station will probably be on the OUTSIDE of the track so as to provide some visibility around Speedway 3.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally Posted by kingfloopy

I think a lot of it is that they want to bring more events to Daytona. It used to just be a couple of Cup events, but now they have all three major NASCAR series, bikes, Grand Am, and IROC events. Money is obviously the main contributor in all this, but I think some of it is that they want to show off Daytona.

J.D.

You might be correct.
I do not know how old you are, but do you remember when Daytona Speed weeks, in a sense, went from the bike race, running a myiad of classes, each very different from the other, finally through to the Daytona 500.
The first months of a year, Daytona was constantly on a racing fans mind.
Bob

[McKay]

It wasn't fear at a high speed track, I just was under the impression that it was impractical, due to what happened back in 2001, with drivers passing out and crashing into the walls. I'm all for high speed.

[kingfloopy]

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

You might be correct.
I do not know how old you are, but do you remember when Daytona Speed weeks, in a sense, went from the bike race, running a myiad of classes, each very different from the other, finally through to the Daytona 500.
The first months of a year, Daytona was constantly on a racing fans mind.
Bob

I don't think I'm quite old enough to remember it directly, but I do know what you're talking about.

J.D.

[skycafe]

The photo Hazza presented is the exit of what is called turn two on the infield, there is indeed a wall behind all the crash padding further back in the left of the photo, and then a straight into the right 'dogleg,' turn three.

[skycafe]

Correction!!! I meant horseshoe intead of dogleg....

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by McKay

It wasn't fear at a high speed track, I just was under the impression that it was impractical, due to what happened back in 2001, with drivers passing out and crashing into the walls. I'm all for high speed.

I don't think you'd have to worry about that - while the banking in the corners at Daytona is seven degrees higher (31 compared to 24 at Texas), one has to remember that the corners at Daytona aren't as tight as those at Texas, so I don't think the G-forces will be that much higher (might even be lower).

Not to mention they wouldn't come into turn three at top speed anyway, given the chicane towards the end of the backstretch.

So no, you won't have to worry about drivers passing out etc

[thebear]

In no particular order, here are some details gathered Monday & Tuesday:

All chassis running in these tests are Dallara.

Marlboro/Penske is represented by Sam Hornish Jr. driving a car fitted with next year's 3.5L V-8 engine and running E98. That's 98% Ethanol an 2% Gasoline. The gasoline was added so the Ethanol could be legally transported across state lines without being taxed or running afoul of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms.

Target/Ganassi is represented by Dan Wheldon & Scott Dixon running this year's 3.0L V-8 engine and fuel (M90 - 90% Methanol & 10% Ethanol).

Andretti/Green is represented by Tony Kannan and Marco Andretti. Kanan's car has the 3.5L engine and is also running E98.

Panther Racing is represented by Victor Miera running this year's 3.0L V-8 engine and fuel (M90 - 90% Methanol & 10% Ethanol).

All IRL cars are fitted with a red light on the driver's left sidepod. In the event of a crash this light will blink if the "Black Box" recorder establishes that certain impact criteria have been exceded. The purpose of this blinking light is to aid in triage when there is more than one car involved in incedents.

There is a possibility that the potential 2007 "Spring Training" date would be the weekeend following the Rolex 24hr race. This weekend is open as there is a space before "Speedweeks" begin.

More news possible on Wednesday.

[luke]

Meira and Hornish crash lol.

[rustyfan]

Details about the second day of testing is up at the SpeedTV.com site. Really sounds like the possibility of a race in 2008 has picked up speed in the past few days, and I think making it a part of Speedweeks 2008 would be an excellent idea.

Originally Posted by luke

Meira and Hornish crash lol.

Not too surprising, really - it's a completely new track to everyone and as the drivers get more comfortable and start to push harder, they are bound to get into incidents.