Closed cockpits part of the answer?

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Permalink Reply by Gary Lee Cox on November 22, 2011 at 2:39am

Ganassi: Time for change in IndyCars

He [Chip Ganassi] also joined those who have suggested enclosing the cockpits, something the FIA has also investigated for Formula 1, with the aim of creating "a bubble the driver sits in much like a fighter jet pilot, a canopy."

http://www.racer.com/ganassi-time-for-change-in-indycars/article/21...

 

 

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Permalink Reply by RaceFan on November 22, 2011 at 10:47am

Certainly it could be done. Nothing unusual about putting a roof on a race car. Could even have some roll bars under there.

It was tried at the INDY 500 in 1955

[IMG]http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/LateSummer/2011-11-06_0904.png[/IMG]

 

But then 42 years this country landed men on the moon, but can't do that today.

So maybe a hard top INDYCAR is not possible.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Lee Cox on November 23, 2011 at 2:31am

Ryan Briscoe posted on Twitter: "I'd like to see future IndyCar/Open wheelers with closed cockpits one day, like modern Le Mans LMP1 cars have today."

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Permalink Reply by Gary Lee Cox on November 28, 2011 at 6:33pm

Ryan Briscoe advocates closed cockpits for IndyCar's future after death of Dan Wheldon

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96280

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Permalink Reply by RaceFan on November 28, 2011 at 10:15pm

If the new IndyCar looked anything close to those photo shop pictures, it would certainly

create some renewed interest in a tired old series.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on November 29, 2011 at 12:19am

Looks good for Bernie's series.  Bad idea for Indy. What happens when you can't get cockpit open? Get the " jaws of life" out.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Lee Cox on November 22, 2011 at 3:21am

http://www.iacoski.com/portfolio/fx-i1-modern-f1-closed-cockpit-con...

 

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Permalink Reply by Gary Lee Cox on November 23, 2011 at 2:33am

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Permalink Reply by Gary Lee Cox on November 23, 2011 at 5:46am

Some pretty cool Indy car closed cockpit concepts.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dansanfy13/page2/

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Permalink Reply by Michael Eugene Johnson on November 23, 2011 at 11:19am

no, they should remain open. I think a closed cockpit would be a huge overeaction to a freak accident (not the accident itself, but the fact that Wheldon's head hitting the catch fence is what likely killed him). I say increase safety yes, closed cockpit no!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Linda Willareth on November 23, 2011 at 11:36am

In a TV interview, I believe Mario Andretti nixed the closed cockpit idea--besides, just what would this cockpit glass be made of--is there really anything strong enough to withstand high impact?  Regarding the old school fences--that, too, is another difficult item to address.  As Thanksgiving approaches, in memory of Dan Wheldon, hug your family and give a million dollar smile to someone you meet on the street--just for the heck of it!  Dan left a terrific legacy of happiness!

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