IZOD IndyCars get a reverse gear
A reverse gear supplied by promotional partner Xtrac will be incorporated in cars for the nine road and street course races this season, which kicks off March 14 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and be available to drivers in need through the paddle shift system.
So say Dario Franchitti is challenging for position and goes into Turn 1 on the St. Petersburg (Fla.) circuit too hot and spins. Now he potentially could back up a bit and be on his way without losing much time to the field.
"I think it's a great idea," said the reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion, who has joined Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe at chilly Homestead-Miami Speedway for two days of Firestone Racing tire testing. "Hopefully, it will cut down on full-course yellows and it will take some pressure off the safety team, too."
Drivers will retain six forward gears. The kit won't be applied for the eight oval events.
"We've been making updates every year (changing gear size, adding the paddle shift system) and it just happened to be the right time to put the gear in the car," said Kevin Blanch, the IZOD IndyCar Series technical director. "It doesn't make any of the parts obsolete; you just add the new kit. It's on the drop gear side, so when the crew is making gear changes it doesn't interfere. It just stays in the car the whole time. indycar.com