IRL to make chassis a competitive bid

The Izod IndyCar Series might end up with competition between its chassis manufacturers in 2012 after all.

Brian Barnhart, the Indy Racing League's president of competition, said this week the five interested groups — DeltaWing, Lola, Dallara, Swift and BAT Engineering — have been asked to explain their goals to team owners over the next few weeks.

"Then we're going to define the box of parameters a little clearer than what we have, and that will include a price point," Barnhart said. "Whoever says they will play under those parameters is who we'll go with."

Dallara is the only manufacturer in this year's series, and its new cars cost $680,000. The targeted price for 2012 is $360,000, a 47 percent reduction. But the latter price is driven by a manufacturer selling its products to all participants, otherwise known as exclusivity.

Barnhart made it clear the IRL prefers competition, which costs money for research and development. Therefore, he knows the manufacturer's price will increase.

"But how much?" he said. "If they say it will take $430,000 in a competitive environment, I'd probably take that because going from $680,000 now to $430,000 is still a $250,000 improvement."

If the cost associated with competition is too close to $680,000, the IRL will choose exclusivity, Barnhart said. Indy Star