DeltaWing Submits 2014 Indy Lights Proposal

It started out as an open-wheel concept, morphed into a sports car project and, if IndyCar's Firestone Indy Lights Series accepts their proposal, the consortium behind the wild DeltaWing chassis is prepared replace the antiquated Dallara Indy Lights chassis that debuted in 2002.

SPEED.com has confirmed the DeltaWing's oversight group, comprised of its designer, Ben Bowlby, Dan Gurney's All American Racers, ALMS founder and Elan Technologies owner Don Panoz, IndyCar, NASCAR and GRAND-AM team owner Chip Ganassi and Highcroft Racing owner Duncan Dayton, has joined the array of constructors vying for the the contract to supply the new-for-2014 Indy Lights car.

AAR was responsible for the construction of the first DeltaWing chassis which raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, but Panoz, who sits atop the DeltaWing program, has repeatedly expressed his desire to mass produce the unique car through his Georgia-based Elan Technologies firm.

Reached by SPEED.com on Friday, Panoz would not comment on the status of the proposal while ongoing talks were taking place with the series.

"We are not at liberty to discuss any negotiations we have underway at this point in time regarding any expansion for the DeltaWing program," he said. "DeltaWing Racing Cars is certainly very keen to investigate future opportunities for the car and interested in talking with teams, promoters and series, both here in the US and internationally."

If Elan receives the Lights contract, it would represent its second chassis on the Mazda Road To Indy ladder, complementing the Mazda-powered USF2000 Championship cars it currently manufactures.

Tony George Jr., son of Indy Racing League founder Tony George, took over the Lights series earlier this year and has spearheaded the 2014 new-car process. More at Speed.com