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Frenchman Tristan Vautier, the 2012 Indy Lights champion and 2013 IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year, took the new Indy Lights IL-15 car out for its maiden full test at Mid-Ohio.
“It's a proper race car and definitely good step forward for the series,” said Vautier after a dozen laps on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course. “I love the sound and performance of the turbocharged engine, the drivability, the brakes. I'm very comfortable in the seat.”
The introduction of the chassis to competition next year will coincide with the 30th anniversary of Indy Lights. Vautier is scheduled to test August 12 and 14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and at the Milwaukee Mile later in the month.
Additional on-track testing, which will include Verizon IndyCar Series drivers to provide feedback, is scheduled for September.
The new car is about 180 pounds lighter than the current Indy Lights car with more horsepower.
The IL-15 mirrors the IndyCar Series' car supplied by Dallara with full-length anti-intrusion panels, side-mounted radiators to assist in energy absorption, a raised monocoque to protect the driver's head, a front wing span to reduce wheel-to-wheel contact and increased underwing width to also reduce wheel-to-wheel contact.
Paddle shifting and push to pass also are mechanisms shared with the IndyCar. And the Indy Lights car has an onboard starter - an attribute not on the current IndyCar.
Car specifications
Top Speed: 200 mph
Design: Carbon chassis and bodywork
Weight: 1,400 pounds
Length: 192 inches
Width: 76 inches
Transmission: 6-speed semi-automatic
AER-P63 engine
Engine: 2-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 450 horsepower plus 50 horsepower push to pass
Design: All aluminum
Weight: 230 pounds dry crated
Features: Carbon plenum, carbon inlet runner and trumpets and “drive-by-wire” throttle control
Electronics: AER with full active-knock control, ignition-angle learning, advanced boost control and integrated gear-shift strategies
Additional components
• Cosworth looms, data logger, dash, display and sensors
• Dynamic dampers
• Life Racing paddle-shift kit
• Tilton carbon clutch
• PFC brakes
• 2014 carryover items include gearbox internals (including ratios), dampers and springs
“It's a proper race car and definitely good step forward for the series,” said Vautier after a dozen laps on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course. “I love the sound and performance of the turbocharged engine, the drivability, the brakes. I'm very comfortable in the seat.”
The introduction of the chassis to competition next year will coincide with the 30th anniversary of Indy Lights. Vautier is scheduled to test August 12 and 14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and at the Milwaukee Mile later in the month.
Additional on-track testing, which will include Verizon IndyCar Series drivers to provide feedback, is scheduled for September.
The new car is about 180 pounds lighter than the current Indy Lights car with more horsepower.
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| Tristan Vautier, Indy Lights IL-15 (Photo: IndyCar) |
The IL-15 mirrors the IndyCar Series' car supplied by Dallara with full-length anti-intrusion panels, side-mounted radiators to assist in energy absorption, a raised monocoque to protect the driver's head, a front wing span to reduce wheel-to-wheel contact and increased underwing width to also reduce wheel-to-wheel contact.
Paddle shifting and push to pass also are mechanisms shared with the IndyCar. And the Indy Lights car has an onboard starter - an attribute not on the current IndyCar.
Car specifications
Top Speed: 200 mph
Design: Carbon chassis and bodywork
Weight: 1,400 pounds
Length: 192 inches
Width: 76 inches
Transmission: 6-speed semi-automatic
AER-P63 engine
Engine: 2-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 450 horsepower plus 50 horsepower push to pass
Design: All aluminum
Weight: 230 pounds dry crated
Features: Carbon plenum, carbon inlet runner and trumpets and “drive-by-wire” throttle control
Electronics: AER with full active-knock control, ignition-angle learning, advanced boost control and integrated gear-shift strategies
Additional components
• Cosworth looms, data logger, dash, display and sensors
• Dynamic dampers
• Life Racing paddle-shift kit
• Tilton carbon clutch
• PFC brakes
• 2014 carryover items include gearbox internals (including ratios), dampers and springs