The Ladder Report: Feb. 22 Edition
by JOWT Blog on Feb 22, 2010 11:46 AM EST
in Ladder Report
6 comments
I was planning to write this edition last night, but I couldn't pass up watching the USA vs. Canada Olympic hockey game. I know that Tony is a huge hockey fan as well, so I'm not too worried about the delay in posting this week's Ladder Report.
Without further ado, here is a quick recap from the junior formula world.
Lola Keeps Indy Lights in Mind: Last Monday, Lola introduced their 2012 IndyCar concept which featured a common chassis for the Indy Lights and IndyCar series. I'm not necessarily a huge fan of the Lola design but I definitely like the idea of commonality between IndyCar and Indy Lights. I'm hopeful that this ideology--- if accepted--- will help bridge the gap for up-and-coming drivers looking to make the jump from Indy Lights to IndyCar.
Team Moore Releases Junior Strous: Just over a month ago, Junior Strous signed with Team Moore Racing for the 2010 Indy Lights season. Then, just last week he was released from his contract by Team Moore Racing. The details of this event have been kept very quiet.
Team Moore Signs James Hinchcliffe: The same day that Team Moore released Junior Strous, news leaked that the team would be signing James Hinchcliffe for the 2010 Indy Lights season. The official announcement came the next morning and stated that James would indeed fill the second seat at Team Moore Racing. His teammate this season will be Adrian Campos Jr.
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If you missed the first edition of The Ladder Report... you can read it here.
For much more on the junior open-wheel racing scene, be sure and visit JuniorOpenWheelTalent.com and follow JOWT on Twitter!
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on Lola....
Anyone besides me think the reason Lola wants to do the IndyLights also is because it’s the only way they can meet the cost requirement the IICS has put out?
TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....
Had the same thought...
To me there’s no way that they can supply a car almost identical in many respects to the current one at a 50% discount without proving that the current price is price gouging.
You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
Pop Off Valve - A greasy hot tenderloin of IndyCar goodness!
Cost control
I’d think that the final cost of goods sold will drop dramatically when they are produced in a domestic facility. Mr. Dallara has pledged to move manufacturing to Indianapolis, and Lola has recently announced similar intentions.
That negates currency fluctuations, reduces labor costs and erases shipping concerns.
Good point
The question remains, though, how a 50% or greater cost reduction can be achieved even with domestic manufacturing. Also unclear: whether the IRL factors in engine lease/purchase into that cost-reduction goal or, indeed, if they’ve even thought about it (considering how rushed their press release was, I’m not convinced they have specifics in mind).
You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
Pop Off Valve - A greasy hot tenderloin of IndyCar goodness!
Chassis cost only
I believe one of the additional stated examples on the cost control side is elimination of the need for different suspension “kits” for road course vs. oval course.
As for engines, that cost cannot be estimated by the IRL until they specify one. Last bit of info I read was that there were two manufacurers in discussion, and Honda has stated their preference for V6. So I don’t believe any projected costs have been publicly discussed by the IRL for engines: just the expectation that service like can be extended.
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