INDYCAR Names Will Phillips Vice President Of Technology
Phillips will oversee the direction and implementation of the technical rules package for the next generation of IZOD IndyCar Series car and their enforcement starting with the 2012 season. Additionally, Phillips will chair the INDYCAR Engine Committee, a group of representatives from IZOD IndyCar Series engine manufacturers that meet several times a year to discuss goals and emerging technologies while developing a roadmap for the future.
"We're very excited to have someone the caliber of Will join the team," said Tony Cotman, project manager for the 2012 car. "It's absolutely imperative we hire the best engineers possible as we build for the future. Will's focus will be solely on the 2012 vehicle although he will attend several events in 2011. This is just the next step in further building a talented, driven team as we prepare for the debut of the next generation car. We continue to actively seek experienced personnel to enhance the technical staff, with an engine expert and aerodynamicist expected to follow."
"I'm looking forward to working with Brian Barnhart, Tony Cotman and the entire technical team to foster the rules for the 2012 car," added Phillips, who has extensive Indy car and sports car engineering experience with manufacturers such as Reynard and March Engineering and teams such as Herdez, de Ferran Motorsports and Highcroft. "This is a very exciting and challenging project that any engineer would want to be part of and I'm looking forward to helping it come to fruition."
Phillips, 47, of the United Kingdom, most recently served as engineering director for Patron Highcroft Racing in the American Le Mans Series, which won the LMP championship in 2010. He also has held senior engineering positions in North American racing with de Ferran Motorsports, PacWest Racing, Herdez Competition and Rocketsports.
At Reynard, Phillips was responsible for the design, development and delivery of the Reynard 02S sports car. Additionally, he contributed to chassis design and development for March's 1989 & 90 Porsche Indy, the 1991 Fondmetal Formula One car and 1992 Venturi Larrouse Formula One car.
As a race engineer, Phillips has worked with current IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alex Tagliani in addition to Danny Sullivan, Scott Sharp, Nigel Mansell and Teo Fabi among others.