INDY PRO SERIES CAR SPECIFICATIONS (Courtesy of IndyPro Series):
 
ENGINE PROGRAM:

Manufacturer: Infiniti
Capacity: 3.5 Liters
Configuration: 90-degree V8
Horsepower: 450 @ 8,200 RPM

Infiniti is the sole engine manufacturer of the Indy Pro SeriesT. The series uses a 3.5-liter racing version of the engine found in the Infiniti Q45 luxury performance sedan.

The Infiniti Q45 has always focused on performance in the highly-competitive premium luxury class, and one of its outstanding characteristics is its powerful 4.5-liter, V8 engine that produces up to 340 horsepower. The Q45 represents the pinnacle of Infiniti's performance technology. The fact that the Indy Pro Series selected this production engine to power its racing series is one of the best accolades one could receive. It is a testament to the Infiniti brand that the Menards Infiniti Pro Series can take its production parts to use on the race cars under extreme racing conditions at speeds in excess of 180 mph.

As Infiniti enters its 16th model year for 2005, the expanded lineup includes the QX56 full-size luxury SUV, Q45 performance luxury sedan, all-new M45 performance sport sedan, FX35 and FX45 premium crossover SUVs, G35 Sport Coupe and Sport Sedan,. This lineup has earned praise for its advanced technology, leading-edge safety features, lightweight and aerodynamic body designs, innovative styling and attention to comfort and luxury. A network of over 160 dealers in the United States supports Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan North America, Inc.

CHASSIS PROGRAM:

TIRE PROGRAM:  

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc.,  whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest  tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its customers in North America.

Fortunately, Indy Pro Series cars don't have to run in the snow. Aside from lacking a heater, their tires wouldn't measure up to the slick roads.

Follow these simple directions to get a look at Firestone tire tread depth:

Step A: Remove credit card from wallet/purse.

Step B: Examine thickness of card.

Step C: Note that tire tread depth on Indy Pro Series cars is about as thick as the card (3/32nds of an inch).

Step D: Be thankful your passenger car tires have more trend depth.

Fast facts about tires on Indy Pro Series cars:

-- Are 15 inches in diameter.

-- Are 10 inches wide and weigh about 30 pounds on the front and 14 inches and weigh about 30 pounds on the rear.

-- At any given moment during a race, the total area of all four tires that is in contact with the track is equal to about one square foot (about the size of a sheet of notebook paper).

-- At speed, tread area approaches the temperature of boiling water (212 degrees Fahrenheit). The tread actually becomes tar-like in consistency.

-- Are inflated with filtered air or nitrogen to remove moisture and computer balanced.

-- Ambient temperature can have an impact on tires.

Rules of the road

Indy Pro Series teams must pay attention to the number of tires at their disposal on race weekends.

The three sets Firestone tires provided to teams are aligned with race distances. Teams must take into account that the fixed number is for practice, qualifying and the race.

SAFER BARRIER:

Under development by the IRL and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility since 1998, the SAFER Barrier was designed to reduce the level of impacts by IRL cars.

The SAFER Barrier is constructed in 20-foot modules, with each module consisting of four rectangular steel tubes, welded together, to form a unified element. The modules are connected with four internal steel splices. Bundles of 2-inch-thick sheets of extruded, closed-cell polystyrene are placed between the concrete wall and the steel tubing modules.

In addition to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, more than 25 tracks which play host to auto racing events have installed the SAFER Barrier. As of January 2005, 11 of the 14 oval tracks on the IRL schedule had installed the system in all four turns.

Speedway and IRL officials, working with NASCAR and the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, continue to try to improve the barrier through test crashes at the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility in Nebraska and analysis of all crash data. Every time the SAFER is impacted, the developers look at the results, driver injuries, damage to the car, and damage to the SAFER system to determine if any modification could be made to improve those results.

Since its introduction, the SAFER Barrier has earned four major awards that has been presented to honor Tony George and the SAFER Barrier development team.

TIMING AND SCORING:

1. A radio transponder is installed on the side of each car, 33 inches from the tip of the nose cone.

2. Multiple cables buried beneath the track record each car's passing and transmit the data via a trackside decoder to the timing and scoring booth. The information is then fed to the TAG Heuer timing and scoring stand located in the pit lane at the start/finish line is a camera which takes a picture every ten-thousandth of a second. The camera played a vital role in determining the race winner at Kansas in 2004 when Buddy Rice edged Vitor Meira by .0051 of a second (below).

3. The information is assimilated and sent out to various entities, including all race teams, which are hard-wired into a network running along pit lane. The teams receive a general timing and scoring report showing lap times and speed, as well as a more-detailed data feed of passing and section data which allows for real-time analysis.

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SUSPENSION & WHEEL ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SWEMS):

The Suspension & Wheel Energy Management System has been required on every car since the 83rd Indianapolis 500. The SWEMS principle utilizes multiple restraints attached at multiple points to a car's chassis and suspension to minimize the possibilities of wheel assemblies becoming detached during high-speed accidents. The SWEMS was applied to rear-wing assembly in 2001.

WING CONFIGURATIONS:

During the 2006 season, Indy Pro Series teams will employ two rear-wing configurations. The rear-wing package varies according to track.

Superspeedway Wing

Short Track, Road & Street Course Wing

Consists of the standard mainplane with a top flap. The IRL-designated minimum flap angle varies according to track. The two-element wing increases downforce and drag and limits speeds.

SAFER INNOVATIONS:

2003: All cars are equipped with a device that measures and communicates the impact of a crash to rescue and safety workers on the scene. Controlled by Delphi's Accident Data Recorder, a light illuminates when a crash reaches or exceeds a pre-set threshold, informing safety workers that an injury is more likely.

2002: The SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) Barrier is installed in all four corners of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway prior to the beginning of practice for the 86th Indianapolis 500. Under development by the Indy Racing League and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility since 1998, the SAFER barrier is designed to reduce the severity of impacts by Indy Racing League cars.

2000: Collapsible steering columns are introduced.

2000: Delphi Accident Data Recorders are installed in all IndyCar Series cars.

1999: The Suspension & Wheel Energy Management System is required on every car for the 83rd Indianapolis 500. The SWEMS principle utilizes multiple restraints attached at multiple points to a car's chassis and suspension to minimize the possibilities of wheel assemblies becoming detached during high-speed accidents. The SWEMS was applied to rear-wing assembly in 2001.

1998: Attenuators are added to the rear of the Indy Racing League gearboxes to lessen g-forces in rear-impact crashes.

1998: Indy Racing League technical staff and Delphi Automotive Systems engineers develop a yellowlight warning system. When a caution is called on the track, a yellow light blinks in the cockpit, providing the driver with immediate notifi cation of the caution. The system is fi rst used at the 82nd Indianapolis 500.