~Robin Miller
Q: Yep, who cares if it's 227 or 217 at Indy? It's still faster than I can peddle and a good show. I think the bigger concern is the lost grip of the trailing car owing to big hole the rear punches in the air. I hope the answer isn't to find more grip. I hope it's what you've been advocating all along...more power less aero. Everyone might come to that conclusion when a huge number of cars are on the track together. And I wonder what impact that huge hole in the air has on the engine cooling of the trailing cars?
Kent Smith
RM: I stood down in the first turn and watched some of the test and I like the fact the cars were only going 210 or so through the corner – it’s still the blink of an eye but it might give the driver a chance of reacting. Everybody wants more HP but it won’t happen this year and nobody said anything about engine temps.
Q: In your last mailbag you mentioned that as long as 220 mph was approached last Wednesday, that would be enough for management. I agree that a new speed record is not important, however I think a little ``more” is absolutely needed right now. Marco was talking about how his 218.6 was achieved with a big tow and that Indy officials were “confident we can get to 220.” Meanwhile, on the same day a NASCAR press release comes out talking about how they are hitting 215 at Michigan (on the straightaways). Doesn’t this relative speed disparity “feel” like it needs to be larger (irrespective of the differences between the two tracks)? As an Indy fan I was somewhat embarrassed when those stories broke.
Michael Occhipinti, Plymouth, MI
RM: Considering a Cup car has at least 150 more HP than an Indy car it’s not really surprising. Of course to ever think a tin top could run within five mph of an Indy car anywhere is a bit of a kick in the crotch but 225 mph hasn’t brought many people out for Pole Day so as long as it’s in the neighborhood 220 that’s fine. When Tagliani won the pole last May it was great drama and nobody seemed to care about the speed.
Q: I understand why the series wants to set the ECU boost limit lower at ovals (especially high banked 1.5 milers). However, I think for Indy they should allow the same boost levels that they do for RC/SC races. I'm sure some Might say but, "they are concerned about reliability for that many miles at Indy." To which I would say, yes I know, therefore put the boost knob back in the car and make a driver make a decision, like in the old days, on when to really lean on the engine and when to cruise. This makes it as much a strategy game as a sprint, which Indy had always been before the dark years. I don't like limiting horsepower to A) artificially keep speeds down or B) to make the engines more reliable. I understand why at Texas they would do this to keep drivers from getting G-Load. However, let Indy be what Indy has always been, a test of man and machine to see who could go the fastest for the complete 500 miles. Rick Mears was a champion at Indy because of his patience and knowing the precise time to turn up the wick. I can't see how this is cost prohibitive this year even, what do you think?
Michael W. Miles
RM: Drivers controlling the boost was always interesting (if not expensive) and it did add an element of strategy. It’s been replaced by drivers being asked to save fuel before being allowed to run full rich and that’s not nearly as exciting. Engine leases and manufacturer control ended all the boost dialing but I really don’t think anybody can say it’s hurt the racing.
Q: Reading this week's mailbag and loving all the positive comments about the NBC Sports coverage. Just don't try the grid run during prayer time again. The competition on track was exceptional. Competition in the pits was also terrific. And they BOTH matter. That's what racing is all about. I'm even beginning to get used to the look of the DW12 even though I have been an early detractor. I have to say... the speedway bumper/bat wing/flux capacitor... looks kinda cool from certain angles in the images from Wednesday. The question is: what is the inside scoop from the drivers about passing at the Speedway? Realizing there were only a few cars on track and it was a testing session with pretty basic set-ups, any hints at how much battling we'll see on Memorial Day weekend? Only 51 days, 2 hours.
Alan Edmonds
RM: Not sure there’s an inside scoop just yet but keep this in mind: if they found a way to pass at St. Pete and Barber, they’ll be plenty here come Race Day. I’m just praying for more time this Sunday.
Q: I have two quick questions from your report on the test at Indy. Are these teams seriously supposed to test without an engine change? Given the potential for problems as Long Beach, why do the teams not get an engine change for testing at Indy? Also, do the drivers think we as fans are totally clueless? Yes, we can tell the difference between 215 and 230. I understand the point about someone dying at 225, but there are additional inputs there. Also, Dan's specific accident occurred when he slowed to about 165 mph, which is about corner entry speeds at Milwaukee. Please guys and gals, don't think your fans are as ignorant as most tin top fans!
Chris Graham, Langhorne, PA
RM: Good question. The ideal situation would be test engines but the manufacturers aren’t equipped for that right now so the teams had to tip toe through the test. A few were asked if they wanted to stick around for another day but nobody is going to risk losing an engine or getting a 10-spot penalty for changing. And I think you would be surprised how many people who attend the Indy 500 couldn’t begin to tell the difference between 215 and 230.
Q: One thing I noticed from the interviews after last week's test at Indy and from other tests of the new car on ovals is that the drivers seem to constantly complain about the balance and how loose their car is. I also notice a lot of complaining about how the car responds in traffic. Is it just me or does it seem these drivers are so overly dependent on downforce and having a car that's perfectly balanced? It makes me wonder if the real problem is that the drivers are just not used to actually having to "drive" a car that is loose. Maybe it's been too many years where the drivers would just hold down the throttle wide open on the big ovals with all that downforce and anything else is "scary" to drive.
John Baadilla
RM: There’s no doubt today’s drivers are downforce dependent – especially the old IRL guard. But Dario, Helio, TK, Dixon all came from CART and Power, Servia, Wilson, RHR and Rahal ran 800-plus HP in Champ Car so those guys all know something about the ragged edge. Their complaints were legit in the early tests and even Dan Wheldon (as brave as anybody) said it was impossible to drive after his first test at Indy so the car needed some major modifications.
Q: With AFS and Conquest teaming with Andretti and the (credible?) announcement that Jean Alesi is running with Newman Haas, is there anyone else out there with a DW12 beyond the full-time teams? Are there any potential surprise entries possible for the 500 (i.e. Greg Beck)?
Will McCarty
RM: Mike Shank has a car and wants to run at Indy if he gets a sponsor and an engine (maybe with PT) and Davey Hamilton is a possibility. Beck is interested, just not sure he can do anything this year.
Q: I know no one wants to "kick" Lotus in this situation, but honestly Robin, what's going on? Will they last past even the Indy 500? Are they committed and liable for the supply at least for 2012? Or did they setup a company for this engine deal which they can close in a day. Are Honda and Chevy capable to step in if needed?
Sebastian (not Bourdais)
RM: I think if you took a straw vote of the Lotus teams they’re all pretty concerned and why wouldn’t they be? But it’s not a case of John Judd not delivering it’s the home office although Randy Bernard says Lotus swears it’s committed. (And a lot of people swear at Lotus). Since Honda and Chevy are providing 14 engines apiece for Indy, I would say yes to your final question.
Q: In your latest column, Will Power said: "Can you imagine if he (Bourdais) was driving for our team or Ganassi"? My question is simple. Why the heck isn't he? He's a four time champ. He beat this year's presumptive favorite like a drum in CCWS. He can drive (and win) in pretty much anything; LMP, V8 Supercars, IROC. He's conceding 50 HP with an underpowered engine (Lotus), from a borderline joke of an operation (Dragon), and is running near the front of the field on sheer skill and will. But he's like a one-legged Chuck Norris in a butt-kicking contest. No matter how awesome Chuck is, the one-leg thing will eventually catch up with him. So why isn't Penske or Ganassi or Andretti camping out on this guy’s doorstep to hire him? Is it the Le Mans thing? Is it him wanting to be (gasp) actually PAID for driving (and winning)? Is it a personality/ego thing? Has he been a bit of an arrogant jerk at times? Sure. Show me a great racer (Rick Mears excluded) who hasn't been. Frankly, I'm almost to the point of putting on my tinfoil conspiracy hat, and wondering if there is a concern from the series that adding someone with Seabass' ability to the juggernauts at Penske or Ganassi would destroy any competitive balance that the series is trying to achieve. I'm all for the underdog, but the series (at least to me) has always been about the best drivers gravitating to the best teams. It's time for gravity to kick in, and Seabass to get a top ride. What say you?
Steve Kornya, Maitland, Fla.
RM: Timing more than anything. Seb was supposed to be a factory driver for Peugeot again this year before it pulled the plug a few months ago. None of those teams you mentioned had any seats available and his deal with Jay Penske was more last resort than anything. No conspiracy and Bourdais would win his fair share with Ganassi or Penske but he wouldn’t be unbeatable. He complained a lot in Champ Car but I’ve really been impressed with his attitude the past two years and his willingness to make the best of tough situations. He’s a pro on every level.
Q: What's the best guess as to how much power Lotus is actually missing? Any
deficit they have will be magnified at IMS, so is there any hope of any updates coming by the beginning of May? Obviously they started late, but do they have financial constraints also?
Don Hopings, Corning, NY
RM: I was told by someone with pretty good connections that Lotus was 50 HP down and John Judd immediately called to dispute that number so it’s up for debate I suppose. But Dario said Bourdais’ Lotus/Judd was a rocket coming off the corners at Barber and he was impressed. I believe there will be another update for Indianapolis but only Lotus knows its financial future.
Q: We keep hearing more and more about the Lotus engine being down 50 horsepower to the Chevy and Honda engines. Since the specification for these engines were "fixed" a short time before the season opener in St. Pete, how is Lotus going to find the extra power they need to be competitive? Will IndyCar make some allowances to them for a handful of changes that will get them closer to being competitive?
RK Siler, Flower Mound, TX
RM: I asked that question a long time ago and was told that nothing would happen for at least the first four races because a manufacturer that did its homework and was beating the competition shouldn’t be penalized. And that’s totally understandable. However, if Lotus was to be 10 mph slow in practice/qualifying at Indy I would hope IndyCar steps in and gives those teams some help. Lotus wasn’t their choice (except for HVM), it was their only option and it’s not fair to be handicapped.
Q: I was very encouraged by the race at Barber. I expected no passing at all there, but the race turned out to be one of the best I've seen in years (along with Iowa last year). It was interesting watching the ticker showing the positions. I did not notice one unqualified driver out there, and really accomplished drivers out of the Top 20. I really like what I see from Pagenaud and Newgarden (I'm a Tennessee boy, too - Go Josef!). Never a big Bourdais fan (too much whining), but that guy is obviously a real talent. I hate the stupid street courses. People that attend those things don't give a crap about racing. If these cars and tires can pass at Barber, they can pass at Laguna Seca and other true road courses. We need all of the good ones, and ditch these stupid street races. To not be racing at Road America with these new cars is crazy. I'd like to hear these engines sound meaner, and have 100 more HP. Add a 100 HP push-to-pass boost that is available only 3-5 times per race, and you'd have something. Meanwhile, looks like Group Lotus has pulled the plug on F1. Obviously, F1 is the best possible way to burn huge amounts of money. What does it mean? Maybe plugging that money hole will leave the IndyCar engine project viable? Or does it signal the very end?
Keith, Indy Baking Powder League, 2016!
RM: Newgarden and Sarah Fisher’s team have been the pleasant surprise so far but Pagenaud hasn’t surprised anybody who’s watched him since 2006. Trust me, there are lots of hard core open wheelers at Long Beach, Toronto and even Baltimore had many old-schoolers so I disagree with your analysis on street circuit fans. We all want to see Elkhart Lake back on the schedule with ALMS in 2013. We’re all waiting and wondering what the future holds for Lotus.
Q: Something I had not seen written anywhere although possibly I just missed it was a comparison of RHR bringing out the red flag in qualifying Saturday to Sato's car not even bringing out a local yellow during the race. I'm not even sure what I think the final decision should have been as I'm all about green flag racing however in an era where we hear all about safety and consistency it was hard to understand what the difference between the two were. Also crossing my mind is how the Will Power camp would've thought about the situation had they not won the race. What are your thoughts?
David Camp
RM: I guess if RHR spun and hit the guardrail where he did, it could happen to somebody else and that’s why it went yellow (and you cannot improve your time through a waving yellow) so it was a bad break for Will but (as Townsend Bell pointed out in the NBC qualifying show) that’s what happens when you gamble and wait until the last minute. Sato’s car was not in harm’s way and Beaux Barfield is trying to stay green as much as possible so I think it was a good call. If Will hadn’t won I’m sure there would have been some bitching but that’s racing isn’t it?
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