Delta, Bravo

I’m not a lot of things…

I’m not an engineer, aerodynamicist or a mechanic. I’m not professionally employed in the motorsports industry – either racing, writing or marketing. I suppose what I am is simply a passionate racing geek with an opinion and a blog. And though opinions may be like A**holes – I have one tonight that doesn’t stink.

Bravo, Deltawing – you’ve done it.

Ok, I may not be a lot of things, but truthfully my credentials go a bit beyond racing geek. I am a marketing professional with years of experience in sports and entertainment. I am also a hobbyist that has kart raced on since I was a young boy – most of which in a unique, road racing series. I study trends, people and popularity and I consider myself a student of my surroundings.

With all these qualifiers stated, I would officially like to commend the DeltaWing design on accomplishing the first step in what should be the most important goal for the IZOD IndyCar Series – bringing identity and relevancy to the sport we all love to watch. Now, let me be clear, do I believe at this time we will see 33 phalic-shaped batmobiles running around both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Road America (hint)?  No – not at all. But I fully do expect to see the spirit of this innovative design in the next-generation of Indy Car racing.

Understanding the objectives that the IndyCar Series demanded in the new car, to me, nobody embraced the spirit of their request more than DeltaWing Racing Cars.  Like everyone they put together a design that’s new, different, cheaper, faster, more efficient, usable and (allegedly) drivable. But more importantly, DeltaWing created something that the auto industry can study. Something kids can point to and think is cool. Something that the IndyCar Series can say is uniquely theirs and maybe even something that the rest of the world might care about again.

Years ago, the IRL made the strategic decision to follow the spec-racing “entertainment” formula of the marketing juggernaut that is NASCAR. Indy Car tried to shoehorn the NASCAR business model into its sport – and it failed. So here we are now, at the proverbial crossroads, wondering where we will we go from here?

Who knows – but wherever it may be, I hope it includes the innovative spirit of the DeltaWing, the sweet curves and lights of the new Swift design, the interchangeable nose box of the Lola submission and the, aaaaaa … cool colors … of the Dallara? Oh, and please throw in the sense of humor of The Silent Pagoda.

Whatever we’ll have, it’s great to see that IndyCar racing is news – even on the weekend of that “hole” Great American Race thing. We have exciting times ahead and I have a feeling that we will owe some thanks to the great minds at DeltaWing Racing Cars.