| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Ligier_AL
champcarguru
Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 1912
Location: Mid-West
|
 Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:08 pm Post subject: Lotus back to Indy ??? |
 |
|
| Racecar-Engineering wrote: |
Team Lotus to enter Indy 500
by Sam Collins
Famous marque to return to Indianapolis with Dallara-Honda's in 2010
In what could be a precursor to a 2012 chassis supply deal Lotus is set to enter this years Indy 500 under the ‘Team Lotus USA' banner.
Motorsport Director Claudio Berro told highly regarded British publication Motorsport News "the Indycar dream is very real for us. We are talking to an existing team about forging an alliance. The American marketplace is very important for Lotus and there is a pedigree and history at the Indy 500. When people think of Lotus they think of competition and racing, it is important that we get back to putting that message across. The Indycar programme is a big project and we need to join with an existing team to begin with, because that is the easiest way in terms of logistics. We only have a few weeks to sort the deal out because the start of the season is very close. The reunification of Champ Car and Indycar makes it much simpler for us and it is an area we are excited about. To run the Honda engine is not a problem in the first instance, even there we have history. The Indy 500 is iconic and it will only do the Lotus brand good to be there." A further announcement will be made next month.
If the team does return this year it will almost certainly be with a Dallara chassis and Honda power but in 2012 it is thought that the famed English manufacturer could run a car of its own design. Whether this would be part of the 2012 spec chassis programme or not is unclear.
Whilst Team Lotus has form at Indy taking part many time between 1963 and 1970 winning the race in 1965. The Team Lotus name was last seen in modern racing during the 1994 Formula 1 World Championship and the last full works Lotus Racing programme was in the FIA GT Championship a few years later. Whilst the lotus Racing F1 team has no formal connection with road car manufacturer the two are working closely together and Lotus parent Proton is part funding the grand prix team. F1 Team Principal Tony Fernandes enigmaticaly said "Well Proton obviously owns Group Lotus and the idea behind this is that we will have more synergies with Group Lotus. Who knows, one day could be all reunited." |
http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/cars/443868/team-lotus-to-enter-indy-500.html
Wow! That would be great if it happens.
_________________
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
seabass
champcarmanic
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
Posts: 696
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
So Thomas Sheckter and Mike Conway in D&R cars badged "Team Lotus"? Big deal?  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Fuzzy15
champcarguru
Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 1622
Location: Baker, CA - entrance to Death Valley = aka BONNEVILLE
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
^ Looks like KVRT are going to go with "Team Lotus USA" and James Rossiter driving.  
_________________
  >> ...we don't need thought control... ...you're just another brick in a wall... = Roger Waters |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Danziger69
champcarguru
Joined: 19 May 2004
Posts: 1131
Location: Tago Mago
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Racer.com wrote: |
Lotus confirms IndyCar Series plans
Lotus has confirmed it will return to the Indy car scene this year.
Although full details are yet to be confirmed, it is expected a Lotus-branded team will run two Dallara-Hondas in the full IZOD IndyCar Series season under the "Team Lotus USA" banner, in a partnership with an existing team. Team Lotus USA will have no links to the Lotus-branded F1 team that is making its debut this year.
Autocar reports that Lotus, which has also concluded a partnership arrangement with Cosworth, is believed to be considering a bid to supply engines when the new Indy car chassis and engine formula begins in 2012. The Lotus/Cosworth partnership includes the supply by Cosworth of high-performance engines based upon existing Toyota powerplants for future Lotus cars, and the assembly by Cosworth of racing engines for all motorsport activities which are based on Toyota powertrains. The first application of these race engines will be for the V6 engine in the new Lotus Evora Cup racing car. A turbo V6 is believed to be one of the top contenders to be the new Indy car engine specification.
Lotus entered the Indy 500 between 1963 and 1969 with its own chassis powered by Fords, winning the event with Jim Clark in 1965. |
So "Team Lotus USA" are planning to back KVRT's car #32 (James Rossiter) and car #5 (Takuma Sato). And later on supply new turbo engines to IndyCar under the name "Lotus/Cosworth" (based on Toyota engine). I'm fine with that.
_________________
 <= Aston-Martin RULES !!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Steppenwolf7
champcarguru
Joined: 24 Nov 2004
Posts: 1001
Location: Ege Bamyasi => Where the streets have no names
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Fuzzy15 wrote: |
^ Looks like KVRT are going to go with "Team Lotus USA" and James Rossiter driving. |
That's what it looked like even few days ago, but now Rossiter went back home and Moraes is back with KVRT in the #32 car. Which means that we won't see that cute gold trim again this year. And it also means that the "Team Lotus USA" was/is a wet dream.
And now the rumor is that "Team Lotus USA" wants James Rossiter and Graham Rahal as their drivers - "when" and "how" and "what team" are the three questions that shall never be answered. Sooooo, let's forget about this fantasy.
_________________
  They think they've got me by the balls... their hands aren't big enough ?! = Bernie Ecclestone |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
KarnEvil9
champcarguru
Joined: 25 Oct 2004
Posts: 1805
Location: Brain Salad Surgery at Fillmore East in NYC
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Autosport wrote: |
KV secures Lotus alliance for Sato
By Matt Beer
KV Racing Technology has announced a technical and commercial tie-up with the Lotus brand that will see Takuma Sato's Indycar run in the famous green and yellow Lotus colours from the second round of the championship in St Petersburg.
Sato's Dallara-Honda will carry Lotus-Cosworth decals as part of the new alliance with Group Lotus, which has also allowed Tony Fernandes' new Formula 1 team to use the Lotus title this year. KV co-founder Kevin Kalkhoven is also a co-owner of engine firm Cosworth.
Lotus was last seen in American single seater racing in the 1960s, with Jim Clark winning the 1965 Indianapolis 500 for the marque.
"Racing has always defined Lotus and on many occasions in motorsports history Lotus' numerous innovations have re-defined racing," said Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar.
"It's only fitting that as the Lotus Racing name re-enters Formula 1, we will also race and innovate again in IndyCar. The Lotus name will, once again compete in the top two open-wheel racing series for the passion and enthusiasm of car fans around the globe."
Sato added: "This is fantastic news for everyone. It is exiting for me to be a Lotus driver and I'm really looking forward to great success with this new project." |
Looks like Rossiter got shafted, and now Jimmy Vasser is saying that KVRT won't expand beyond 3 full-time cars this year.
_________________
  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BimBo29
champcarnut
Joined: 04 Aug 2007
Posts: 2070
Location: Riverdale, Hell's Kitchen, Greenwich Village, Lower Eastside, Astoria, Flushing, Jones Beach, etc.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
