IndyCar implements Champ Car version of Push-To-Pass
The following quote is attributed to Jay O’Connell, Vice President Technology for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing:
“Push to Pass will increase the ability to pass an equally fast (lap time) car on the straights which should make the racing more competitive and exciting. I am pleased to see this feature added as we head into a series of five road and street course events because it gives the driver significantly more power when activated to overtake another car. Since Push to Pass allows more turbocharger boost for a specific time, the existing electronic boost sensors are well placed to monitor the new feature and keep it fair for all the competitors."
[Editor's Note: Now all we need are standing starts and IndyCar's morphing into 100% CART/Champ Car will be complete, but with 25% of the sponsorship, 25% of the attendance and 25% of the TV ratings. But hey, some call that progress.]
06/27/12 Push to pass will return to the IZOD IndyCar Series for the five remaining road/street course events on the 2012 schedule, beginning with the Honda Indy Toronto on July 6-8.
The overtake assist feature, introduced to the series in 2009, allows a driver to add turbocharger boost and additional RPM with the press of a button on the steering wheel to complete a pass.
"It will be similar to what it was in the past because we know that model worked," said Will Phillips, vice president of technology, INDYCAR.
The additional boost is added for a pre-determined amount of time which will be determined by INDYCAR depending on the circuit. The sanctioning body will also determine the total amount of time available, recharge time and any delay in the system prior to each activation, though the engine manufacturers may adjust the settings below the requirements to optimize their engine's performance.
Push to pass will not engage until a certain throttle position is reached and will disengage if the driver lifts or presses the button again.
As part of the introduction of push-to-pass, the base turbocharger boost level will decrease to 150 kPa. When the system is engaged, the boost increases to 160 kPa on the 2.2-liter V6 engines supplied by Chevrolet, Honda and Lotus.
Teams will have the opportunity to test the system during the event weekend on the streets of Exhibition Place before the Honda Indy Toronto.