» Dallara chassis announcement for IndyCars

From a new chassis design by Dallara to a new facility to be built within a mile of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, today the IndyCar Series laid the foundations for its foreseeable future with the long-awaited announcement of the car design from the 2012 season.

Since the end of 2005 when Toyota withdrew its IndyCar involvement, all teams have been operating with a uniform Dallara chassis tuned to each type of circuit which has ensured a very level playing field, allowing the talents of each individual driver to shine.

Despite the improved chassis, individual driving ability will still be paramount, but the new-spec chassis will allow each team to design, modify and maintain their own front and rear wing concepts. While the richer teams will no doubt be able to maintain a higher standard of development, the flexibility of the new bodywork will allow all teams to devise their own setup ideas.

Known as the IndyCar Safety Cell, the cheaper tub is expected to encourage new sponsorship investment and new teams to continue the growth of the series. Just last week, the series announced a return to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway from 2011, and a new street race in Baltimore.

Article by Matt Lennon, Richard’s F1 IndyCar Correspondent.