LGH Racing

Starting in 2012, for the first time, the Indy Car series will have a fully functioning race car for ovals, road and street circuits. I must say, it looks like an actual American born open wheel championship car, which says a lot since it will be built by Italian race car manufacturer Dallara.

This week, it has finally seen life on track, at the hands of Dan Wheldon. You may not remember him, but I’ll freshen your memory. The Englishman won the Indy 500, his second, which was overshadowed by the guy who crashed the National Guard car in the final turn. Yeah, that was, and still is, his only race of the year, but if you ask me, he still landed an awesome job. And the huge wad of milk money sure helps, I’m sure.

If all of that seems like a lot of info… Buckle up, and strap on some attention. I have not even told you what is under the bonnet.

Switching from the loud, and almost stock car-ish V8 from sole provider Honda, the car will utilize a 2.2 liter V6 from Honda, Lotus, and… unfortunately, Chevrolet. Either way, they will go from sounding like a buzz saw to the distinctive and “Indy appropriate” whine the pre-split Brickyard fans are used to. In addition, the car will feature separate body work specifically for road courses and ovals, making the cars more responsive and handle less like, what is the word I am looking for, a canoe. This week was the first of three road course and three oval tests in which Wheldon will lend his knowledge toward developing. Good job, everyone!

Just in case you have not seen it yet, fear not. You can look it up on Autosport, or IndyCar’s website!