Yesterday was the first day of practice for the running of the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 27.
Pole Day, which determines the fastest of all drivers/cars entered, is this Saturday.
Here's a :46 youtube of a day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year, shot from one of the outstanding vantage points Indy offers: the Stand E Penthouse on the outside of Turn 1. You see the cars coming down the Brickyard's main straightaway, into the first turn, and through the short stretch toward Turn 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=m0Evb5y8LWk#!
All the chassis are new and of the same design this year: Dallara DW12s (the DW stands for the late Dan Wheldon). IndyCar's engine formula is also new this year: displacement is set at 2.2 liters, and they must be 6 cylinders; engine manufacturer choice is between Honda, Chevorlet, and Lotus; Honda employs a single turbocharger on their 2.2L 6, while both Chevorlet and Lotus employ twin turbos on their respective power plants; boost level for all engines is limited @ 130 kPa (kilopascals). All the entries ride on Firestone Indianapolis 500 Firehawk tires and are fueled by Sunoco blend of methanol and ethanol.
Two of the many stories headlining this month of May at the Speedway are the rookie debuts of ex-Formula 1 stars Rubens Barrichello Jean Alesi.
Here's some shots of the new DW12s at speed during the first day of practice yesterday; note the addition of massive bodywork at the rear of the car:
http://media.indianasnewscenter.com/images/indy_151277275.jpg
http://cmsimg.indystar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BG&Date=20120512&Category=SPORTS01&ArtNo=205120377&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Indy-500-Newgarden-fastest-Day-1
http://assets.speedtv.com/images/article_assets/110/1107971/1107971_article_img_xlarge1.jpg
http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/05-May/~/media/IndyCar/News/Standard/2012/05-May/5-11-Video-ROP-Drivers-Talk-Std.jpg
http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/05-May/~/media/IndyCar/News/Standard/2012/05-May/5-12-Aerokit-Rules-Announcement-Std.jpg
The backview of these new chassis is quite a unique look, especially when you view them straight-on; I can't find a shot I'd like to show you precisely highlightning that uniqueness, but here's one from an earlier IndyCar race this year that gives you an idea:
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/04/29/042912-IndyCar-Sao-Paulo-Brazil-OB-G7_2012042916243797_600_400.JPG
And for Moorcheeba - Dancing With The Stars and 3-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves at speed yesterday at IMS:
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/13/051312-MOTOR-AM-G2_20120513123053865_600_400.JPG
Pole Day, which determines the fastest of all drivers/cars entered, is this Saturday.
Here's a :46 youtube of a day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year, shot from one of the outstanding vantage points Indy offers: the Stand E Penthouse on the outside of Turn 1. You see the cars coming down the Brickyard's main straightaway, into the first turn, and through the short stretch toward Turn 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=m0Evb5y8LWk#!
All the chassis are new and of the same design this year: Dallara DW12s (the DW stands for the late Dan Wheldon). IndyCar's engine formula is also new this year: displacement is set at 2.2 liters, and they must be 6 cylinders; engine manufacturer choice is between Honda, Chevorlet, and Lotus; Honda employs a single turbocharger on their 2.2L 6, while both Chevorlet and Lotus employ twin turbos on their respective power plants; boost level for all engines is limited @ 130 kPa (kilopascals). All the entries ride on Firestone Indianapolis 500 Firehawk tires and are fueled by Sunoco blend of methanol and ethanol.
Two of the many stories headlining this month of May at the Speedway are the rookie debuts of ex-Formula 1 stars Rubens Barrichello Jean Alesi.
Here's some shots of the new DW12s at speed during the first day of practice yesterday; note the addition of massive bodywork at the rear of the car:
http://media.indianasnewscenter.com/images/indy_151277275.jpg
http://cmsimg.indystar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BG&Date=20120512&Category=SPORTS01&ArtNo=205120377&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Indy-500-Newgarden-fastest-Day-1
http://assets.speedtv.com/images/article_assets/110/1107971/1107971_article_img_xlarge1.jpg
http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/05-May/~/media/IndyCar/News/Standard/2012/05-May/5-11-Video-ROP-Drivers-Talk-Std.jpg
http://www.indycar.com/en/News/2012/05-May/~/media/IndyCar/News/Standard/2012/05-May/5-12-Aerokit-Rules-Announcement-Std.jpg
The backview of these new chassis is quite a unique look, especially when you view them straight-on; I can't find a shot I'd like to show you precisely highlightning that uniqueness, but here's one from an earlier IndyCar race this year that gives you an idea:
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/04/29/042912-IndyCar-Sao-Paulo-Brazil-OB-G7_2012042916243797_600_400.JPG
And for Moorcheeba - Dancing With The Stars and 3-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves at speed yesterday at IMS:
http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2012/05/13/051312-MOTOR-AM-G2_20120513123053865_600_400.JPG
