IndyCar Engines on Second Thought

Comments from some of you have led me to rethink my initial position on the IndyCar engine spec announcement for 2012.

I confess that I know very little about the technology that makes Indy cars go. Frankly, technology for its own sake does not interest me. What does interest me - and what I believe is far more important than the spec itself - is technology's impact on three crucial marketing questions.

1. Does it enhance on-track competition?
2. Will it significantly reduce the cost of entry to correspond with the product's market value?
3. Does it increase the probability of adding American drivers who might be more easily sold to U.S. motorsports consumers?
Speedgeek addressed the first point quite persuasively, in my opinion.

Personally, I could see IndyCar allowing 4-cylinder engines and/or engines that come in under 2.4 liters extra boost pressure, a larger air restrictor or extra fuel flow. They kind of left that door open in the announcement... To my mind, this relatively open spec for small displacement turbo engines has been the way to go all along for the 2012 car, and to me it sounds like they're picking the route that will spark the most interest from manufacturers and fans alike.

Citizen John addressed my second and third questions. As usual, he brought relevant facts to the discussion.

Provided they are interested in participating, Mazda is one of few marques who could answer the call for 2012 with an existing product. Their 2.0L MZR-R sports car engine, now in its fourth year of service, already uses alternative fuels... without the restrictor, reaching the stated ceiling of 700 hp would not be an issue.

And my favorite part.

While the 2010 version of an MZR-R lease agreement is still being debated, it could be similar to what MAZDASPEED offered in 2008 and 2009: a three-year lease for one engine, including all electronics and ancillaries, for $60,000 the first year, $50,000 the second and $40,000 the third. With two or three engine rebuilds added in the $35K apiece range, you still walk out the door around the $150K range each year.

The prospect warms my heart.

Therefore, I shall reserve judgment as the circumstances evolve. If Speedgeek and Citizen John are correct, then it could well be that IndyCar is effectively utilizing the 2012 spec to address its ample marketing challenges.

We can hope.

Roggespierre

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