2012 INDYCAR Series Concept Cars Unveiled
Click Here for 2012 Concept Car Photos
05.10.11 - SPEEDWAY, IND. – Behind the gleaming paint scheme and bright studio lights of last night’s 2012 INDYCAR car unveiling on VERSUS is the little-known Motorsports Technology Center situated in the heart of Speedway, Ind. The secured facility, located at 1180 Main St., is currently serving as the temporary home of Dallara Automobili, the IZOD IndyCar Series Safety Cell manufacturer – ensuring that the assembly of each new race car and management of the prototype testing takes place in the shadows of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“It was important to Dallara and the Town of Speedway that each step of this process take place right here in Speedway,” said Scott Harris, executive director of the Speedway Redevelopment Commission (SRC). “Dallara’s commitment to our Speedway community is already apparent, and we anticipate its future operations here on Main Street.”
The SRC-owned Motorsports Technology Center is the temporary home of Dallara. The SRC anticipates entering into a formal lease with Dallara through September 2011 with a three-month renewal option during the construction of its permanent home on Main Street. Dallara and other suppliers will begin prototype assembly and engine testing at the Motorsports Technology Center by the end of August 2011.
“We’re very excited to see our new car further develop right here in Speedway, Ind.,” said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series. “As we continue to celebrate our 100th anniversary milestone for the Indy 500, it is also imperative that we continue to prepare for the future of our sport. We are proud of all the work being done to move forward with the new Dallara facility and Motorsports Technology Center in preparation for the debut of the future car.”
Dallara was selected by INDYCAR in July 2010 as its safety cell manufacturer for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series. Dallara has been devoted to the business of designing, building and supporting some of the world’s most competitive race cars for the last 40 years. Dallara cars have won the Indianapolis 500 10 times and the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship 12 times, with more than 170 victories since 1998.
“There is nowhere else in the world like the Town of Speedway,” said Andrea Toso, head of Research and Development and U.S. Racing for Dallara. “This community is completely dedicated to the history and tradition on which it was founded, including its base in motorsports and innovative technology. Dallara as a company, and as the creator of the INDYCAR car of the future, will be right at home in Speedway.”
Dallara will open its only facility outside of Parma, Italy, on Main Street in Speedway later this year. The facility, which will include an automotive production area, a quality control and technical section, an engineering center, an interactive area, a restaurant and a state of the art driving simulator, will also serve as the home of Indy Racing Experience. Despite the rainy weather Central Indiana has experienced this spring, full construction is expected to begin at the end of the month.