DIETER VANSWIJGENHOVEN: For the aspiring single-seater racer looking to go electric, the new ERA Championship could provide an affordable answer.

NEW REGULATIONS: As Formula 1 prepares for widespread regulation changes designed to make racing more exciting and sustainable, PMW speaks to the teams for behind-the-scenes reactions to the new framework.

CORVETTE C8.R: After three generations of front-engine endurance cars, the factory-backed Pratt & Miller-run Corvette Racing team switches to the higher downforce, mid-engine C8.R for the 2020 season.

SEAN SEAMER: Supercars CEO Sean Seamer has a lot on his plate – with fallout from aero testing, controversial new teams and departing manufacturers just some of the many issues to be dealt with.

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IndyCar announced this month that it is planning to improve cockpit safety for all drivers with the introduction of a titanium piece in the cockpit of its cars, which will be tested on April 24, 2019, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The USA series’ single-seaters are smaller and less sophisticated than F1 cars, but with their 600hp, twin turbocharged, directed-injected V6 engines, they are still exceptionally quick. Acceleration for an IndyCar is around 0-60mph in about 2.8 seconds with maximum speeds of up to around 220mph (354km/h).

Inevitably, with that speed comes risk. IndyCar’s organizers have received criticism for not reacting quickly enough to concerns over safety. A crash last year that left Robert Wickens with both legs broken, a broken arm and a spinal injury led to calls for the more rapid introduction of safety improvements.

Frontal protection

Indycar and Dallara have been developing and testing the titanium advanced frontal protection piece (AFP) since 2012. The AFP is designed to flick debris away from the drivers, keeping them safer while the car is in motion. It is 3in high and 0.75in wide and is placed directly in front of the driver. The introduction of the AFP is seen by most commentators as a temporary measure while Indycar continues to develop a windscreen.

A windscreen made by USA-based firm PPG Aerospace was tested at the ISM Raceway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year, but PPG has said it is not ready for use yet.

This work mirrors changes in F1, which last year introduced a halo protection system to the cockpit to better protect drivers. A halo-type device has been considered for IndyCar, but was found to be incompatible with the current version of IndyCar’s chassis.

Other changes

F1’s plans for a new car in 2021 include the aim to increase downforce generation in the car’s design to encourage closer, more exciting racing. Data obtained by F1 shows that a car loses up to 50% of its downforce when stuck behind another car.

There are concerns over safety that such a change would make, but correctly engineered with safety in mind, the gains in performance and close-quarters racing could be significant. The FIA is testing new designs over the next two years to arrive at the 2021 car.

Is IndyCar following where F1 leads in safety? The answer is that engineers involved with both race series are still discovering new aspects of how their cars interact with the track and how they drive every day. More safety improvements for both series are bound to happen.

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RACE Performance will debut Europe’s first Ford Mustang GT4 in the British GT Championship this season. The Lincoln, UK-based outfit, which is known for its involvement in Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Britcar, rallying and rallycross, is now expanding its domestic program.

In December, driver Sam Smelt – who contested the British Touring Car Championship last season – tested the Mustang at Donington Park. The 22-year-old previously worked with team principal Ryan Connolly in BTCC.

“I’m delighted to be making the step up to British GT with Sam, the Mustang and entire RACE Performance team,” said Connolly. “Having engineered Sam in the BTCC last season I can see what an unbelievable talent he is, and I truly believe GT racing will suit his smooth and refined driving style perfectly.

“Our initial testing in the Mustang showed that car and driver are a very capable pairing and I’m very much looking forward to demonstrating that to the fans, the public and the championship. My staff and I have been involved in the championship for a number of seasons as supplied staff for other teams, but to put this together as RACE really is something very special for me.”

The competition arm of Multimatic engineering – Multimatic Motorsports – which co-developed and build the car on Ford Performance’s behalf, have confirmed two further Mustangs will be involved in the British GT this season.

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Ricardo is a world leader in the development and manufacture of bespoke and off-the-shelf transmissions for top-tier motorsport and high-end automotive applications. The company showcased a number of transmissions at the show including Formula E, GT3, LMP1 and the very latest WRC gearbox developed for the championship-winning M-Sport Ford Fiesta. Steve Blevins, Project Manager at Ricardo, was on hand to tell us more. 

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Already proved in motorsport with outings at Pikes Peak 2018 and in Electric GT’s adapted Tesla, as well as high-performance applications such as Dab Motors’ Yamaha Yard Built ‘Alter’ XSR900, Bcomp’s full flax lightweight bodywork offers uncompromising performance and is up to 30% more cost-efficient compared with carbon fiber. Christian Fischer, CEO at Bcomp, tells us more.

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