IRL to delay chassis decision

Randy Bernard

A decision on the next Izod IndyCar Series chassis might not be announced by June 30 as hoped and promised by series officials, chief executive officer Randy Bernard said this week.

"I don't want to jeopardize (potential) contracts just to make the June 30 date," he said. "But we'll have something to say by (the stated deadline)."

IndyCar's committee studying new engines and chassis — a seven-member group known as the ICONIC Committee — heard presentations from five chassis groups last week (Delta Wing, Swift, Dallara, Lola and BAT). Everyone involved with the process signed a confidentiality agreement requested by Bernard, and they have upheld it.

Bernard said he is more optimistic than ever that a new chassis program will be in place for 2012, the year the new engine configuration is adopted. IndyCar will use turbocharged engines up to six cylinders and 2.4 cubic liters.

In May, Bernard was "50-50" on the chassis being ready for 2012, but he was an optimistic "70-30" two weeks ago at Texas Motor Speedway. Now?

"85-15," he said of the latest odds. "How's that for a politician?"

Bernard would not comment on the possibility that IndyCar could simply announce chassis specifications and see which manufacturers choose to participate, a path used with the engines.

"I'm not ruling that out, but I'm not ruling it in, either," he said. Indy Star