INDYCAR: Miller's Mailbag, 2.17

IndyCar

INDYCAR: Miller’s Mailbag, 2.17

In the three years I've done the mailbag, never have I seen the volume of mail we've received since the Delta Wing was launched in Chicago on Feb. 10.

Robin Miller | Posted February 17, 2010 Indianapolis, IN

Some see the Delta Wing as a wild but welcome departure -- just like the Lotus Turbine IndyCar, but many others fail to see how the radical 2012 machine will gain acceptance or improve the quality of racing. (IMS)

Hello open wheel types and thanks for all your questions. I intend to answer your questions every week during the season, so just . Don’t feel left out if I didn’t directly respond.

In the three years I've done the mailbag, never have I seen the volume of mail we've received since the Delta Wing was launched in Chicago on Feb. 10. Over 400 emails and counting and that's the majority of this week's reading. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to put your passion, anger and joy into words. I'm going to try and personally answer each question as I always do but here's some of the best ones.

Q: Please tell me that this Delta Wing nonsense is just a quick pipe dream for an engineer that's been having trouble sleeping lately. The thought of watching a tube with enclosed wheels attached to an airplane wing makes me think that the only thing left of OWR will be Formula 1. Are the powers that be in the IRL actually considering this type of car for 2012? If so, that's it for me, I'm done. I've had it with these moron's! I refuse to stay on board AOWR if this is what we have in store for the future. I was actually getting excited when I saw that Lola was making a pitch to the IRL about a new chassis design. I saw the potential ideas from Dallara and Swift and thought to myself: Okay, these are pretty cool....nothing special, but pretty racy looking in my opinion. When I was 10 years old my Dad took me to my first Indy 500 in 1969. I was immediately hooked on "open wheel" racing and have been ever since. What's going on here? Please tell me this radical new design will fizzle out in due time, please?

Steve Sporer, Chicago

RM: First off, it has to be funded, built and tested before it can be approved and we're looking at August to get a prototype on the track. If Brian Barnhart decides on a car (or cars) in May, it's going to be kinda tough to judge any of the designs since none will be operating before the summer. Many old schoolers like yourself hate the look and vow to quit watching if the Delta Wing is chosen but if the car owners and Firestone are pushing for it, how can IndyCar turn it down?

Q: Listening to comments about the Delta Wing not looking like a "proper" race car baffles me. These people haven't been watching racing long enough to remember when the roadsters replaced the sprint cars at Indy. They don't seem to realize that there was a time when racing embraced and encouraged innovation and courageous thinking. Smokey Yunick brought the side car, Mickey Thompson brought his later day streamliner, then Brabham came with a Cooper, and next thing you know all the drivers are sitting in front of the engine. Granatelli showed up with a 4 wheel drive gas turbine powered car and Parnelli nearly won the race. The rules defined the engine size, car weight and safety regulations; everything else was up to the designers and builders. Today's race cars are more like soap box derby cars than even formula vees, the regulations are so restrictive. We still have some of the best fabricators and engineers in the world born and bred in America, let's have them build our race cars.
Jack Norie, Desert Hot Springs, California

RM: Amen brother. A big part of Indy's lure and lore was innovation and taking a chance and that's exactly what needs to happen again if May is to be rescued and we're ever going to see 50 drivers going for 33 spots. If the rules could be written in such an open way that Dan Drinan and Joe Devin could use their skills to come up with a design for Indy to compete against Lola, Swift, Dallara, Panoz and the Delta Wing, we might be able to revisit history. Ben Bowlby's ideas about cheaper engines, controlling costs and making parts available to everyone is a good start in that direction.

Q: Wow, the first look at the new Hot Wheels models for 2012. Crap, you mean that's a race car? I'm so confused. Yes, I'm talking about the new Delta Indy experiment. No doubt it has elegant sculptured lines and would look good on a shelf along with other car models. However as I look at it, all it reminds me of is Mickey Thompson's misguided attempt at new concept designs for Indy racers. However, it does have a great tie in to Danica and Milka. It does have that feminine hygiene product look about it. Oh, by the way, I graduated on scholarship from Art Center College of Design as a Transportation Major. I really do have the credentials to be critical. I am a life long passionate fan of open wheel racing from front wheel roadsters to I guess, kit cars with 325 horsepower. Think the Delta Car missed it's calling. It would have been perfect for Malibu Raceway. With the Delta Car in sight, we are finally seeing the end to open wheel racing. Set one down beside a sprint car and tell me, which one is the real race car?

CatManDo ( aka-Gary Daum)

RM: The Tampon Torpedo, it's kinda catchy, I'll suggest it to Ben. As I said on WIND TUNNEL last night, I don't know if the Delta Wing is the answer or if it will even get a chance to be the car of the future but, if you hadn't noticed, IndyCar racing is in big trouble. Not enough cars, sponsors, TV viewers or money (did I mention American drivers) so you can criticize Bowlby's design but the rest of his concept for trying to rescue racing from itself is pretty damn compelling.

Q: OK the future of AOW (Graham Rahal) needs a job and USF1 needs a second driver. Am I alone in seeing a no -brainer here? Is it too late for USF1 to reconsider Valles as it's #2 driver? Also, I really enjoyed reading young Mr. Rahal's comments on the Delta Wing car. To him, it's all about physics, design, function and opening up a boring spec series to some engineering competition. Amen to that. Say what you will or won't about the Delta Wing car, but the future of racing is green. It has to be. The economy and the environment will dictate this, whether us race fans want it or not. Race car design has always been at the forefront of what we end up driving to work everyday; be it horsepower, safety or economy. The Delta design recognizes this, AND takes advantage of this. Half the weight , half the cost, all the performance? Sign me and apparently Graham Rahal up. Will IndyCar design once more be the forefront of American automotive design and ingenuity? More importantly, will the folks at 16th and Georgetown take young Mr. Rahal's advice and listen when he says, "When was the last time IndyCar was relevant to all but a few people that had exclusive rights to design or build things? When was the last time a student decided he wanted to get his degree and go work in IndyCar? They don’t. They go into aviation, or to NASCAR because that’s where they can use their minds and their education. That’s where cool things are. This unlocks that door for people to join our series. It gets a whole new generation engaged where they haven’t been for so long.” A wise man for one so young, wouldn't you say Robin?

Rob Cupps

RM: USF1 is way too shaky for Rahal to think about right now but I like his attitude regarding a radical new car. Nobody knows if the Delta Wing can go around a tight corner or even get that chance and it's going to be a whole new learning curve. But he seems to say that 'I'm a racer and I'll figure it out as long as it makes for good competition.' When the rear-engined cars replaced the roadsters, A.J. and Parnelli had to adapt to a new world and they did.

Q: I love the DeltaWing concept. In my opinion, it is exactly the car that the IndyCar Series should embrace because the design could be iconic. In fact, I am convinced that embracing the concept would be a positive defining moment for the IndyCar Series. There are many great things about the NFL and NASCAR that IndyCar would be wise to emulate in their quest to rebuild its fan base but I think they could take a page out of Apple's book and utilize iconic and innovative design that connects with consumers and helps provide the brand a premium allure. Provided that the DeltaWing performs the way the simulations say it would, and was relatively economical to run, I think the DeltaWing could be to IndyCar racing what the iPod (and iMac and iPhone, etc) are to Apple. The other design ideas I've seen for the new car are good but none of them has the chance to ever be considered revolutionary and celebrated, let alone noticed, by the outside world. I can imagine a DeltaWing on display at the MOMA but I cannot say the same for the other concepts. Based on what you know, is there a good chance that the powers that be in Gasoline Alley will get this decision right and pick the DeltaWing as the next IndyCar?

Kurt, Friendswood, TX

RM: Good question. The IMS board controls IndyCar for all practical purposes so it's probably a question of getting the Hulman-George sisters to buy into the concept and then tell Randy Bernard to pull the trigger. You can't expect him to make a decision and why should Barnhart have a vote? If the new car doesn't cost the Hulman family anything, the state of Indiana is behind building the prototype, Firestone endorses it and the car owners want it, that would seem to be enough to carry the day. But, as I said above, how can anybody decide anything until they see the car run?

Q: I just viewed the piece on the DeltaWing Project and let me tell you, it is a piece, of what, I am not sure. This is what we have been waiting for? My outrage is barely under control. It looks like something out of "SpeedRacer" (or worse, the adult store). All we need now is to have AJ as Pops, Milka as Trixie, and Weldon as Speed. Paul Tracy would be a great Racer X, though. If this is the future of American open wheel racing I am thankful that I don't get VERSUS any more on DirecTV. At least Swift, Lola, and Dallara have penned cars that look like they should. I say let them all build a car for the series. If it ends up that only one car builder is selected then I will never again pay attention to Indy racing (I have been having difficulty paying attention since the second race of "re-unifiction"). I am tired of spec machines with spec engines running on spec tires. Oh yeah, the engine better have a turbo.

Paul S, Arizona

RM: Let's be clear about something: Ganassi asked Bowlby to come up with a car because IndyCar was doing nothing about costs and giving no information about a direction for 2012. You can be upset with Ben's design but I do not see how you can't embrace his overall concept of much cheaper cars and engines being built in the USA with a global V-4 turbocharged engine that just might entice a few major manufacturers to IndyCar. I think most open wheel fans agree with you, give us some variety and if a car builder is interested in playing, let him play.

Q: Is there any way fans can influence bull-riders or bull-shippers with no knowledge or appreciation of Indy car to see the Delta Wing adopted AS SOON AS POSSIBLE? This beautiful throwback to the uncompleted 1955 Keck Mystery Car, the Belond Streamliner and the Sumar Streamliner, and the wingless 1968 Lotus 56 STP Turbine heralds the most exciting motorsports design revolution since the Chaparrals. No one but Jim Hall ever made a good looking car with wings. Wings have no application to street cars. F1 cars have been butt-ugly for the last 20 years. I may be the last person who likes the look of the current car (compared to F1 it is elegant) but after three or four too many seasons it is boring even to me. If the IRL races Delta Wings, F1 will look SOO yesterday. F1 (and the crooks in the FIA) would be forced to copy it. Indianapolis could return to its rightful position as the temple of the fastest and most exciting cars in the world.

Frank Dalton

RM: Whether your theory is correct remains to be seen but obviously Bowlby and the owners feel like there's a huge void in motorsports creativity and this is a big opportunity to get people paying attention to Indy cars again. I'm sure Randy Bernard will hear from some of the fans because I plan to send him this mailbag.

Q: The Delta Wing is downright FUGLY! The front end looks like a cross between a topfueler and Bonneville streamliner. The ass end looks like it was stolen from the wreck of a early 80's Gurney Eagle with a vertical FIN instead of a wing. The narrow front end will push bad and the looooong narrow "tub" portion will flex. An engine that is a non-stressed part of the chassis is sooooooooo 1966. To top it off, a 50's style fin will cause cross wind instability. This car would make the IRL an even bigger laughingstock than it is right now! Yippieyea, first we get "Bronco" and now this bunko piece of junko!

David Sutton

RM: That adjective has appeared in several emails so many people agree with your assessment. I don't know how you can be so sure of all the flaws but I think we all wonder if it can go around a fast or slow corner. But Bowlby didn't come down in the last rainfall so maybe he's got some things figured out. One of the big stories of the year will be the first test.

Q: Well, what do you think? I personally love it and as Vasser stated, you might flip through channels and see those cars and have to stop to watch. I have read a lot of negative comments, but I think that's a small and narrow view. So what if it's "radical", maybe the IRL could use some radical.

Keith, Rockford, Ill.

RM: Regardless of what you think of the design, Bowlby's overall plan has a lot more positives than negatives. Yes, it is a culture shock but IndyCar's culture needs a major facelift and if the Delta Wing helps reduce costs, opens up competition and bring in new teams and manufacturers, that's all good.

Q: I am for anything that will bring technology and competition back to the forefront in Indy Car Racing. Aesthetics aside, the Delta Wing concept seems to be a step in the right direction toward achieving these goals. I only have one question – how does the steering work? I suspect that “full torque vectoring active technology” enters into the equation. From the photos and videos I’ve seen, it doesn’t appear that there is enough room in the wheel wells to allow the front wheels to turn side-to-side. Is the car vectored through the corners using a differential that provides asymmetrical torque to the rear wheels…or is this perhaps a four wheel drive system? If so, one would assume that “active technology” means the car is controlled via a computerized “drive-by-wire” system. If that is the case, I certainly hope that the system has redundancy built into it. Otherwise, the car will become a missile if there is a system failure. Can you provide some insight into how this rocket sled is steered?

Michael McGill, San Diego

RM: This is from Ben Bowlby: "The front wheels steer the car; they have up to 23 degrees of steering angle each way – slightly more than the current IndyCar has at present. The differential, located in the gearbox, has the capability to actively control relative rear wheel speed (but not the average speed, which would be traction control and this is not part of the differential’s functionality). This effect can be described as torque vectoring or torque steer. This is not essential for achieving steering of the car or cornering but it is probably the most consistent way of altering the balance of the car and can be driver controlled with a position switch in the cockpit that alters the sensitivity of the torque vectoring. To be clear – the rear wheels do NOT steer and do not create the force required to steer the car."

Q: You should have warned us about the Daytona 500 Trophy/1958 Firebird concept car being the future of open wheel racing. NASCAR should have a field day with this 50-year old design that only Beaver Cleaver could love. Open wheel racing is dead, this car has fenders! Bronco Bernie with the keys to the series, Graham with no ride; Road America being commandeered by stock cars; and just when you thought the Danica hype machine could not get any bigger....This is a series that definitely test your devotion. Can you ask what Mario thinks of the Harly J. Earl concept car design? If he says to give it a chance, maybe I can too.

The vengeful S.O.B. in Vermont, Ernie Connell

RM: Agreed, open wheel fans (the ones that remain) have been subjected to some very trying years during the past 15 and many left in 1996 and have never returned. Could this Delta Wing car bring them back or create a younger demographic? Who knows until you try. But that's why I'd like to see all four designs get the green light.

Q: After looking at the new Delta Wing machine, I am even more convinced that the answer for Indy Car is to merge with the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and use the current ALMS P1 configuration as the 2012 car for Indy Car. Multiple manufactures, multiple engines, more fans, more sponsors, etc. Will need some work to conform to ovals but that should be doable. Your thoughts on a bold, but inexpensive direction that Indy Car could look toward?

Terry, Lafayette, Ind.

RM: It seems like a natural to marry the two series because both have shaky car counts and their fan base is pretty much the same, I think. ALMS was about the last bastion of technology in this country so I'd be all for it, providing the costs could be brought in line with the true value of the product.

Q: After hearing your hints at how radical the Delta Wing prototype would be, I couldn't wait to see it. My first thought when I saw it: YES! It is crazy-different, but that's exactly what American open wheel racing needs right now. I was shocked to see how many of the well-known IndyCar bloggers (and fans in the forums) truly hate the design. I guess some people just can't handle that much change -- like when the engines moved from the front to the back, or when cars started sprouting wings, or when a car with a jet engine showed up at the Speedway. The Delta Wing prototype is the only one that offers true innovation and a new approach to our sport - the other designs are just evolutions of the same basic car we've had for what, 30 years now? I really hope they choose it. I do have two questions: How likely is the Delta Wing prototype to be selected by the IRL? If it is not selected, will the owners supporting it (Ganassi, Penske, Andretti, etc) form their own series, or have they already threatened to do so? Thanks for always being cranky and speaking your mind!
Ramon, Culver City, Calif.

RM: I think if Tony George was still in charge, the Delta Wing would have already been given the OK. As I stated in an earlier response, the IMS board controls the IRL so it may very well come down to the Hulman-George family vote or at least their "suggestion." I said a few months ago the last thing we need is another war and I imagine it could come to that but hopefully it won't. TG said once there was an ocean of car owners out there but we all know that today there's barely a small pond.

Q: Where do I start? Well I was never so optimistic waiting for the internet to show me the future yesterday. Ok now I saw it and want a Roadster with an Offy up front! I can’t believe current car owners paid money to develop this and some “bought and paid for drivers” are acting like they’d like to try and drive it. I call BS!I think what I have seen from the other “real” chassis manufactures is some logical progress, and they will respond again I am sure. What we need is for them to “all” be involved again as it was before the spec car era. And hey don’t forget that Gurney Eagle era when we had 30 of those things too and it got a little stale. But then we had the drivers to fall back on.

Depressed Dave

RM: Actually, Chip Ganassi has paid for everything up to this point but the Delta Wing LLC is supposedly going to be owned by the car owners. I do think Dixon, Dario and Graham want to drive it, I'm just not sure for how long or how fast until we see it perform (if we see it perform). The toughest thing to see right now is with so many owners just scrambling to field a car, how will they have the money to fund a prototype? Yes, the more the merrier, be it cars or engines.

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Robin Miller

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