devilmaster
07-29-06, 10:21 AM
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/15151654.htm
Champ Car's new ride
SERVIA EXPECTS MANY PASSES ON IMPROVED DOWNTOWN TRACK
By Darryl Matsuda
Mercury News
The 2007 Champ Car chassis was unveiled to the public for the first time Friday night at the drivers' VIP party at the City Hall Rotunda.
Billed as the car that will take racing into the future, the Panoz DP01 will be built in the United States by Elan Motorsports. It is slightly smaller and lighter than the current Lola chassis.
The appearance is similar to the Lola, but with some hints of Formula One. The slimmer nose resembles that of the old Concorde supersonic jets. The louvered vents on the sidepod are another Formula One styling cue and are supposed to provide better cooling.
Mechanically, the car incorporates another Formula One feature: the sequential gearbox is controlled by paddle shifters behind the steering wheel instead of a shift lever.
The new car also features an on-board starter, something lacking in current Champ Cars. With an on-board starter, a driver can fire up the engine on his own if he stalls.
Aerodynamically, the car is supposed to work better in traffic, which should help create closer racing and more passing.
The car unveiled Friday featured a paint job by racing artist Troy Lee.
• Even with the track improvements, the subject of passing in Sunday's Champ Car race generates a range of opinions.
Champ Car's new ride
SERVIA EXPECTS MANY PASSES ON IMPROVED DOWNTOWN TRACK
By Darryl Matsuda
Mercury News
The 2007 Champ Car chassis was unveiled to the public for the first time Friday night at the drivers' VIP party at the City Hall Rotunda.
Billed as the car that will take racing into the future, the Panoz DP01 will be built in the United States by Elan Motorsports. It is slightly smaller and lighter than the current Lola chassis.
The appearance is similar to the Lola, but with some hints of Formula One. The slimmer nose resembles that of the old Concorde supersonic jets. The louvered vents on the sidepod are another Formula One styling cue and are supposed to provide better cooling.
Mechanically, the car incorporates another Formula One feature: the sequential gearbox is controlled by paddle shifters behind the steering wheel instead of a shift lever.
The new car also features an on-board starter, something lacking in current Champ Cars. With an on-board starter, a driver can fire up the engine on his own if he stalls.
Aerodynamically, the car is supposed to work better in traffic, which should help create closer racing and more passing.
The car unveiled Friday featured a paint job by racing artist Troy Lee.
• Even with the track improvements, the subject of passing in Sunday's Champ Car race generates a range of opinions.