Gallery: A New Chassis Means A Whole New IndyCar
(c)2012, Michael L. Levitt01introducing-the-dallara-dw12
The Izod IndyCar Series opens this weekend, when the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicks off the 15-race season. This year, all eyes will be on an entirely new chassis that features a host of performance and safety upgrades, plus the first new engines since 2005. Back in 2010, Dallara Automobili was selected to build a new chassis with enhanced safety, raceability and efficiency. The resulting chassis -- the Dallara DW12 -- is named after Dan Wheldon, the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner who was killed in a tragic accident during the final race of the 2011 season. Wheldon did much of the testing on the new chassis before its debut, so it's an especially fitting tribute. Teams have only had about three months to test the completed cars, though the reactions from a preseason run at Sebring International Raceway seem positive. "We’ve had one car and were on track at the end of January, and off we went," said Graham Rahal, who drives the number 38 Service Central car for Chip Ganassi Racing. "Technology-wise it’s a step forward." In fact, there are several steps forward, and we'll take you through all of them before the season opener. *Photo of Dario Franchitti: Michael L. Levitt, LAT Photo USA*
©2012 LAT Photo USA02start-your-all-new-engines
Start Your (All-New) Engines ---------------------------- Aside from the chassis itself, the biggest change to this year's IndyCar series is an entirely new lineup of engines. Yes, engines, *plural*. For the first time since 2005, there's more than just a Honda mill on tap, with Chevrolet and Lotus also supplying turbocharged V6s. All three have to meet new IndyCar rules that shrunk the maximum displacement from 2.4 liters to 2.2 liters, though Honda decided to go with a single turbo while Chevrolet and Lotus chose twin turbo setups. To add even more of a challenge to teams, variable turbo boost allows the engines to be configured differently depending on the race. *Photo: Honda/LAT Photo USA*
(c)2012, Michael L. Levitt03stop-stalling
Stop Stalling ------------- Rubens Barrichello isn't the only one moving from Formula One to IndyCar. This year's cars will be equipped with anti-stall technology, which has proven invaluable in F1 racing. Since IndyCars don't have their own starters, stalling on the track means a yellow flag and sending track marshals out to get the cars out of the way. Drivers have also expressed interest in using the system during pit stops. Unfortunately, [SpeedTV](http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-series-continues-to-develop-anti-stall-system/) reports that anti-stall may not be operational in time for this weekend's race. *Photo: Michael L. Levitt/LAT Photo USA*
Panorama by Neil Armstrong of the Apollo 11 landing site on the moon's Mare Tranquillitatis. Little West crater is at right; Armstrong's shadow and the Lunar Module Eagle are at left. Little West is roughly the size needed to hold the lower half of Duke & Niehoff's proposed inflatable habitat. Image: NASA04no-third-pedal
No Third Pedal -------------- Another F1-inspired update: A new pedal configuration that moves the clutch to the steering wheel. The DW12 also has a fly-by-wire throttle and carbon fiber brakes. *Photo: Scott LePage/LAT Photo USA*
05new-design-new-weight-distribution
New Design, New Weight Distribution ----------------------------------- The new car has a 40/60 weight distribution. Drivers have certainly taken note of how it affects the DW12's handling, and spectators will probably notice as well, according to [Racer.com](http://www.racer.com/racer-special-indycar-2012-questions-answered/article/232804/). Depending on how the cars are configured, what works on a road course may not win on an oval track, so many commentators are predicting a lively season. *Photo: Courtesy of IZOD IndyCar Series*
(c)2012, Michael L. Levitt06aerodynamic-improvements
Aerodynamic Improvements ------------------------ An entirely new design is intended to increase downforce from the chassis itself rather than the wings. The new design also addresses safety concerns, with a wider underwing, wheel fairings and rear crash structure to decrease the chance that a car will ride over another's wheels. *Photo: Michael L. Levitt/LAT Photo USA*
07secure-cockpit
Secure Cockpit -------------- That's James Hinchcliffe's number 27 GoDaddy.com car, and like all cars in the series it has a number of safety upgrades over the previous chassis. The DW12 has a longer and wider cockpit, which not only allows for easy extrication in the event of a crash, but also allows for the installation of 1.5 inches of Expanded Polypropylene foam under the seat and three inches behind it. It's an especially welcome improvement for taller drivers, who often had to sacrifice additional foam to fit their larger frames in the previous, smaller chassis. In addition, Zylon panels have been extended along the entire length of the tub to prevent intrusions. . *Photo: Paul Webb/LAT Photo USA*
(c)2012, Michael L. Levitt08when-all-else-fails-theres-hans
When All Else Fails, There's HANS --------------------------------- Alex Tagliani is holding a Head and Neck Support -- known as HANS. It's used across all forms of auto racing, from CART to NASCAR, and securely fastens the head to the neck to prevent a basilar skull fracture. In such an injury, a strong crash force causes the brainstem to detach from the spine, killing the driver. Unfortunately, the previous IndyCar chassis had been designed before HANS was mandatory, so a portion of the headrest had to be removed in order to fit the device. The new car remedies that problem, and the headrest can remain intact. *Photo: Michael L. Levitt/LAT Photo USA*
(c)2012, Michael L. Levitt09win-on-sunday-sponsor-on-monday
Win On Sunday, Sponsor On Monday -------------------------------- The drivers and team owners aren't the only ones excited about this season. Mouser Electronics distributes many of the components and connectors on board the new cars. According to Mouser's Larry Johannes, "We were intrigued and knew we had to be involved," so they became one of the primary sponsors for Tony Kanaan's number 11 Geico/Mouser Electronics car. *Photo: Michael L. Levitt/LAT Photo USA*
(c)2012, Michael L. Levitt10fast-fuel-efficiency
Fast Fuel Efficiency -------------------- Fueled by E85, the new cars are more efficient thanks to their lighter weight and smaller engines. *Photo: Michael L. Levitt/LAT Photo USA*
