INDYCAR NEWS AND NOTES – Sept. 10, 2013

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

1. Firestone Tire Test lays groundwork for future 

2. Franchitti reunites with Clark’s Indy winner for Goodwood 

1. Firestone Tire Test lays groundwork for future: A two-day test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway involving six drivers/teams is part of the IZOD IndyCar Series’ official tire supplier’s short- and long-term objectives, according to Firestone Racing chief engineer Dale Harrigle.

“We’re laying the foundation for the future,” he said.

Firestone Racing periodically conducts testing of current and development tire compounds and specifications on the oval for future superspeedway events. The 2013 Indianapolis 500 tire was utilized as the baseline, and more than two dozen compounds and specs will be run on the 2.5-mile asphalt racing ribbon. Participating are reigning Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan, three-time race winner Dario Franchitti, Marco Andretti, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power and Justin Wilson. 

“Firestone never stops trying to give us a better product as a race tire,” Wilson said. “There are various things that they are working on, whether it be compound or construction. We’re just here to give them feedback on how something feels.”

Firestone is also working with INDYCAR regarding the introduction of aerodynamic configurations for IZOD IndyCar Series cars in 2015 and a potential assault on the qualification speed record in conjunction with the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2016.

“INDYCAR has come up with this plan that they want to slowly creep the speeds up at Indianapolis and we want to be on the forefront of that curve,” Harrigle said. “We want to be working with them to see what we need to do now to develop for the future years when the speeds increase. INDYCAR has kept us in the forefront of aero kits and we’ve been talking with them about how they think it’s going to affect the tire.

“We have a pretty good window to operate in. We’ll stay on top of it.”

Short term, Harrigle said Firestone Racing is seeking to “give the cars a little bit more grip” for the 2014 500 Mile Race scheduled for May 25.

“Tire performance was good this May and we think we can make it a little better,” he said. 

2. Franchitti reunites with Clark’s Indy winner for Goodwood: Dario Franchitti is happiest when he’s driving a race car. 

A student of the sport, Franchitti has grown to appreciate the history of those who came before him. That’s why he jumped at the chance to drive participate in the Goodwood Revival on Sept. 13. 

Franchitti will drive the Lotus 38 driven by Jim Clark when he won the 1965 Indianapolis 500 around the road course as part of the event’s tribute to Clark. Other drivers slated to participate in the Clark tribute include Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss and John Surtees

“It’s only a demonstration (lap), but I’m absolutely delighted to drive the Lotus 38 again,” Franchitti said. “It’s the 50th anniversary of Jimmy’s first world championship and (Goodwood is) going to be a great celebration of his life and what he achieved as a racing driver.”

It’s the second time that Franchitti has driven the car, which was conserved by the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, Mich. He last drove the car around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2010, but he’s looking forward to getting back in the car.

“To take the Lotus back to Goodwood and drive it in front of the British fans is going to be great,” Franchitti said. “There’s only one small problem. The car is designed to only turn left and Goodwood is 90 percent right-hand corners. 

“(Because of that) I won’t be pushing the limits by any means, but it’s going to be great let the British fans hear that four-cam Ford on full song.”

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The next IZOD IndyCar Series race is the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston presented by the Greater Houston Honda Dealers doubleheader on Oct. 5 and 6 at Reliant Park. Both races will be televised live by NBC Sports Network (3 p.m. ET on Oct. 5 and 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 6) and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius and XM Channels 211, www.indycar.com and the INDYCAR 13 App for most smartphones and tablets. The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Grand Prix of Houston on Oct. 5 at Houston’s Reliant Park. The race will be televised by NBC Sports Network at 4 p.m. (ET) on Oct. 6