Lola has released additional digital renderings of its proposals for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series chassis. The British manufacturers two designs, for which initial renderings were revealed in February, are intended to offer a "total solution" package providing "attractive and aero performance balanced racecars that will deliver a return to close and gladiatorial racing," according to the company. The two versions are intended to offer chassis variety without sacrificing cost reduction objectives. Both styles of cars can be raced without technical advantage and with different engines, according to Lola, and common parts throughout will enable teams to switch upper surface styles should they choose to do so.
“After safety, improving the show is the next prime focus for our Special Projects team," Lola's Peter McCool explained last month. "The majority of the downforce will be generated by a large central under body. This allows us to reduce the size of the front and rear wings creating downforce, which is less susceptible to variations when following another car closely. Lola is drawing upon its vast experience of open-wheel design to ensure the cars look both spectacular and race in a close and exciting fashion.
“The Lola aerodynamics team have utilized its experience in many areas, particularly the under body design to find a minimum wake solution to promote more overtaking. In essence, what happens in the air coming from the back of a racecar at speed is, you tend to get two vortex rings falling off the back end of the car. The Lola IndyCar will almost eliminate these forces via the under body design and rear wing end plates at the back of the car. This, as our CFD study already shows, will minimize the wake and make its effect more manageable. Above all though it promotes better racing all-around, particularly in terms of giving ‘racing power' back to the driver.”