All ready for the ninth round
The 2024 championship will make IndyCar history for the start ofit was hybrid of the top American open-wheel series, which recently announced the track debut of the new Chevrolet and Honda engines 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6. After the first tests carried out last year, the first race weekend in which the new engines will be seen in action will be the ninth of this season, i.e. the one Mid-Ohio scheduled from 5 to 7 July: “The strength of this uncharted partnership between Chevrolet and Honda has propelled this innovative project towards the starting grid in 2024 – declared the president of INDYCAR Jay Frye – The INDYCAR-specific hybrid power unit will bring an exciting new element to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with additional power and passing options. We can’t wait to see the beginning of this new era in Mid-Ohio.”
The new systems
The new engines have two components, namely the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) low voltage, and the Energy Storage System (ESS). The first, with a regeneration system that occurs by acting on the clutch shaft, accumulates power to be stored in the ESS. At that point, the drivers will be able to take advantage of extra energy on the straights alongside the already existing push-to-pass, which until the Mid-Ohio weekend will only be available to a limited extent and for a certain number of seconds, as in the last few races.
Unlimited push-to-pass
The novelty (among many) with this new system will be precisely in the push-to-pass, which will no longer be limited by the time available but based on how much energy will be able to generate through braking and deceleration during a lap . A system very similar to the one already seen in F1 with KERS, and which will also allow the drivers to be able to restart the engine in the event of a spin or stall of the car, thus reducing the probability of the Pace Car entering. Even before the official and definitive debut, the riders will carry out a final collective test in Milwaukee scheduled for June 11th.
“The introduction of hybrid technology offers the opportunity to integrate electrification technologies into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES – added Eric Warren, General Motors Executive Director, Motorsports Competition – During the development of any new technology, extensive analysis and testing is carried out to identify as many problems as possible. We support INDYCAR’s decision to carefully study test data and ensure that once hybrid technology is integrated, it operates and performs exactly as expected. This approach has given INDYCAR and engine manufacturers the opportunity to ensure the high level of competition continues uninterrupted.”
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