IndyCar

IndyCar is the name of a based in the United States single-seater auto racing organizer. The organizer was founded in 1996 under the name of Indy Racing League (IRL ) and carried this name until 2010. The organizer belongs Hulman and Co.. Boss of IndyCar since 2010 the American Randy Bernard.

IndyCar has been held since 1996, the IndyCar Series, which was from 1996 to 2002 as the organizers themselves Indy Racing League ( IRL). The IndyCar Series is the highest category in American Championship Car Racing. This position she shared between 1996 and 2007 with the CART-/Champ-Car-Serie, which was discharged from the CART and the OWRS. In the 2012 season, IndyCar aligns next to the IndyCar Series Indy Lights, Star Mazda Series and U.S. F2000 National Championship.

History

Secession

In November 1991, beating Tony George, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and the organizer of the Indy 500, the IndyCar series, a new structure with the creation of a new umbrella company, the Indy Car Inc. ago. The CART refused. In February 1992, the CART licensed the name " Indy " by the IMS, while George the Indy Car Inc. is founded. These two operations should in the future cause considerable problems. In the following years, the resentment grew at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The company complained about the declining importance of the 500 miles of Indianapolis in the IndyCar (CART ) series. In March 1994, George announced to set up a rival series to the PPG IndyCar World Series: the Indy Racing League. The CART protested unsuccessfully against the project. In September 1995, formed the competition series, while most IndyCar (CART) teams refused to participate in the Indy Racing League. In January 1996, the Indy Racing League organized under the control of USAC her first race in Orlando. The most important race of the season, the Indianapolis 500, was held not in the PPG IndyCar World Series, but in the Indy Racing League since this year. The resulting formula racing series taught until 2004 exclusively on oval tracks race.

Competition

Immediately after the establishment of the new series was the Indy Racing League, especially from teams that were only moderately successful in the IndyCar World Series. In the driver's field that traditionally represented the former Formula 1 drivers from all parts of America were missing. Accordingly, the series became public barely noticed, only the Indianapolis 500 had high viewing figures.

The big teams, however, remained first in the series after a trademark lawsuit now CART World Series called old. This was a problem for both sides: the CART teams lacked the top race in Indianapolis, which exceed the ratings of the other races many times; the Indy Racing League teams drove the rest of the season with virtually no spectators. This first some CART teams still tried to report to 500, but this was mostly dominated by only moderate success because the experience was lacking with the cars and double the development work proved to be too expensive for Indianapolis.

The great upheaval began with the 2002 season: Penske Racing, one of the most successful teams of the scene switched to the Indy Racing League. With the 2003 season, since the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series may use the name, then changed several top teams, including Chip Ganassi Racing and Andretti Green Racing. This lost the CART much of their substance; in the IndyCar Series but mainly just the losses were so laminated: Apart from three drivers of the two previous top team Panther Racing and Kelley Racing were at the end of the season on the first 13 championship courses only driver former CART teams. Nevertheless, the IndyCar Series could muster hardly the traditional 33 cars for the Indianapolis 500. As of the 2005 season, the IndyCar Series began for the first time at the city and round courses.

In subsequent years, the IndyCar Series came with respect to their popularity on the site, whereas it went down with CART: With great difficulty you could bring in the contracts stipulated with the track owners 18 cars at the start. The low point marked the 2007 season, in which there were varying rider line at almost every race.

In the meantime, the NASCAR was it grown into an all-powerful competitors: Their stockcar racing are all sold out and even the Indianapolis 500 rank among the audience expired.

Fusion

In February 2008, the Open Wheel Racing Series ( OWRS ), the successor organization of CART, discharged Champ Car Series was financially final at the end. In a as merger (Merger ) Act designated the remains were taken over by the Indy Racing League and part of the team joined the IndyCar Series. These were given by Tony George Dallara car free of charge. The Champ Car teams wore only have a final race in Long Beach with the Champ Car vehicles from which, however, was considered full points for the IndyCar Series (as well as the same time as taking place IndyCar Series race at Motegi, Japan, in which the "old" IndyCar Series teams competed ).

The newly emerged series was characterized by a certain optimism: 25 vehicles were on the season by going at the start, at the races live shown in one of the U.S. networks in Texas and Chicago 28 each - the best values ​​for a long time. Only the Indianapolis 500 with "only" 37 qualifiers ( starting 33 of them ) is considered the improvement in limits. The former Champ Car teams were inferior to the ovals first hopeless, but this improved as the season progresses. In the end, a season, won 18 races in a total of ten riders emerged, six of them for the first time in this series.

Change at the top of the Indy Racing League - renaming in IndyCar

In summer 2009, Tony George, founder of the Indy Racing League was relieved of his duties. This was due to the operational separation of the Indy Racing League from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jeff Belskus, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway took over as acting Managing Director.

In February 2010, finally Randy Bernard was introduced as the new head of the Indy Racing League. Bernard was previously Managing Director of the Professional Bull Riders Inc. In early 2011, the organizer was renamed in IndyCar.

Sanctioned race series

The Indy Racing League held initially only the IndyCar Series ( 1996-2002 Indy Racing League). Since 2002, the Indy Lights ( 2002-2005 Infiniti Pro Series, 2006-2007 Indy Pro Series ) is hosted by the Indy Racing League. Since 2010, the organizer is from the Star Mazda Series and the U.S. F2000 National Championship. All four race series form the Road to Indy.

Rating system

Unlike racing series that are organized by the FIA, are ranked in the championships of the IndyCar all qualified pilots, even if they do not finish the race. Points are awarded according to the placement on the end of the race, with all pilots receive points. Qualified pilots who do not start the race, receive half of all points.

In order for a race is considered, 50 % 1 round of scheduled race distance shall be completed. If this is not the case, the race is not included in the IndyCar statistics and redeemed already awarded bonus points.