Would IRL switch to 4-cylinder engine?
06/01/08 Another reader writes, I'm not so sure that very quiet electric race cars wouldn't be totally cool. For example, the dominating Audi R-10 diesel is almost silent but it's fascinating to hear the brakes, tires and aero working. When visiting an ALMS race I find myself wishing they were ALL that quiet so I could better hear those nuances.
When you combine that with the probability that electric cars are the future (no pollution with a nuclear source and an already in-place distribution system) IndyCar should look very seriously at electric as a powerplant alternative and, more importantly, to lead the way into the probable future. I've seen the all-electric "Killacycle" drag bike in action and it's spine-tingling to watch that thing blast down the track will very little noise. You still get a huge impression of raw power.
Quiet racing makes things safer for kids and more street-circuit friendly. It's also likely to help new fans understand what's going on in front of them. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to hear the PA system and talk to your buddy without yelling?
As a transition, how about a rules package that allows turbo diesels, turbo ethanols OR equivalent electric power? All major manufacturers are looking at each of those power sources right now and each could be easily tweaked for equivalency – boost for the turbos and amps for the electrics.
It's hard to imagine letting go of the roar of the pack, but I suspect that 33 silent cars whooshing around the Brickyard would be a fantastic spectacle. J.Chitwood, Marysville, CA
06/01/08 Another reader writes, I think the turbo four-cylinder formula may be a good fit for IndyCar racing. From the historical point view, you can always trace the turbo four legacy back to the legendary Offy. As for four cylinders being synonymous with economical more than performance, many younger fans equate Honda performance to their hot V-tecs four cylinder sport compacts. I read GM wants to push their Ecotec brand four cylinder as the new "small block" for performance tuners. When I think of four cylinder turbo racing motors, I think of the 80's BMW F1 1000+ hp turbo motor (If I am not mistaken it still holds the crown of F1's most powerful motor). Nathan, Dallas, TX
05/29/08 A reader asks, if electric cars are the way forward, what would I do if I wanted to take a long trip across country? Batteries won't provide that sort of range. Doug Day
Dear Doug, Current battery technology will only give you a range of 220 or so between charges (See related article on the Tesla sports car). And then how long would it take to recharge the batteries when you ran out. Rental car companies could be a source of internal combustion engine powered cars for those rare cases when you really need that sort of range. Maybe that will be the only way you will be able to drive an internal combustion engine car 20 or 30 years from now – by renting one – by law.
It's quite foreseeable that someday everyone will have electric cars for their everyday around town and to/from work means of transportation, all charged with electricity from clean Nuclear Power plants. That likely scenario must run chills down the spine of the big oil producers, the Arab nations (what else do they have besides oil, sand and bombs?) and the farmers growing crops for ethanol production. Mark C.
05/29/08 This article talks about the upcoming engine roundtable forum which will include IndyCar officials and teams, and senior figures in the US car industry. "We're targeting senior level automotive executives to come to Indianapolis and collectively determine the options and vision for the IndyCar Series' next generation," said Brian Barnhart in the article.
The goal for the IRL is to try to align their engine with the manufacturers goal of increasing fuel mileage, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and reducing engine pollutants. However, hybrids and electric cars appear to be the propulsion systems of the future to best accomplish those goals. Diesel engines were once thought to be a good solution, but with the cost of diesel fuel going through the roof (over $9 per gallon in the UK already) that option is quickly losing support.
The dilemma then for the IRL, is if electric engines are too quiet and hence not exciting, and the days of internal combustion engines numbered, what is the right engine formula? Some think a turbo 4-cyclinder engine may be the best combo for the next 10 to 15 years and until such time as the internal combustion engine dies a slow death. However, cars that use 4-cyclinder engines are typically 'economy' cars and trying to relate 'economy' to racing is a real quagmire. (See related Nuclear power plants and electric power as the way forward article).
The entire sport of auto racing could change dramatically should battery powered electric cars rule the road. A pit stop might mean swapping in a new battery pack instead of adding 30 gallons of fuel. As for the lack of noise, good luck. Remember when as kids we used to take a baseball card and clip it on the fork and the card would make noise as it hit every wheel spoke so our quiet bicycles made noise as we went by? Oh my.