IndyCar to ditch airbox?

Although the photos are poor, there appears to be no airbox on either car.

Chevrolet- and Honda-powered cars ran together for the first time Dec. 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to gauge the aerodynamic effects of traffic as engine manufacturing development continues in preparation for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

However, as you can make out of these photos snapped with a handheld PDA, the cars were running with no airbox from what we can tell. Of course turbocharged cars do not need airboxes. We assume they were testing the car without airboxes to see if it improves the handling of the diabolical, poorly designed car. If so, this is a HUGE design change. Just how bad is this car to make this major of a change now? Removing the airbox has to totally change airflow on the back half of the car.

The turbulence side by side was minimal and a good tow was apparent when running behind each other, according to INDYCAR vice president of technology Will Phillips. Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing drove Honda’s Dallara chassis while Tony Kanaan (Dec. 7) of KV Racing Technology and JR Hildebrand of Panther Racing (Dec. 8) were behind the wheel of the Chevrolet car.

Both engine manufacturers ran the two days without any mechanical issues, and tests continued to determine the optimum weight distribution and oval aero configurations.

Both manufacturers will be on the Sebring International Raceway short course next week.