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INDYCAR: New Speed Records Part Of Bernard’s Plan
IZOD IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard knows where he wants to help take his series, and he’s ready to pick up some speed.
Brant James  |  Posted December 13, 2010  
It has been far too long since open-wheel racing had something to boast about when it comes to new lap records. With Bernard's plan, the Indy 500 could once again become a bastion for speed as early as 2011. (LAT)
Randy Bernard knows where he wants to help take the IZOD IndyCar Series. He’s ready to pick up some speed.

Appearing at the annual Performance Racing Industries show, the CEO said one of his key second-term objectives is bringing speed, specifically record-breaking qualifying speed, back to the Indianapolis 500 as a means of rekindling both the romanticism and allure of open wheel racing. Informal discussions have already begun on how to attack Arie Luyendyk’s 14-year-old record for the track’s Centennial Celebration this season.

“I want the record gone,” Bernard said. “I want to start being very vocal about that so we can start making some changes. It’s essential for us. Fans want to see it. I get goose bumps even thinking about it.

“We have to work with Honda. We have to work with Firestone. We have to take the proper steps on how we do it safely, but I think it’s doable in ‘11. I think for our 100th year, how better to celebrate speed? Some of the (Hulman-George) family has been very adamant about going for the speed record. It’s so right on. We have to go back to our roots.”

Luyendyk holds both the single- (237.498 mph) and four-lap average (236.986) qualifying records, set in 1996 in a Byrd-Treadway Racing Reynard/Ford Cosworth. Helio Castroneves won the pole last season at 227.970 mph, the highest speed since 2005. Speeds last eclipsed 230 mph in 2003, when Castroneves went 231.725 in the final year a 3.5-liter engine was used. Pole speeds in the high-220s since have kept with track officials’ desire for moderation, said Honda Performance Development technical director Roger Griffiths.

“I don’t think a number has ever been written as an official thing, but we’ve all had this number, that we’ve got to keep it under a 230-mph lap average,” he said.

Tom Sneva broke the 200 mph barrier in qualifying in 1977, and was the first to reach 210 seven years later. Rick Mears pierced the 220-mph line in 1988 and Roberto Guerrero reached 230 four years later.

Griffiths said after obtaining data from an unnamed IndyCar team that increasing power to reach the 240-mph plateau is “surprisingly achievable” with reasonable aerodynamic adjustments but would require a return to 3.5-liter engines and methanol instead of ethanol as a race fuel for the month of May. Griffiths said the main limiter for Honda is obtaining sufficient inventory parts left from 2003 to construct enough lease engines because “this is not something we want to spend a lot of money doing.”

“Is it possible? Yes,” Griffiths said. “Can we do is safely? Probably. Is it interesting? Yes, for sure. We’re all racers. We like to go fast. It’s got to come down to if it’s something we all really want to do and is it being done for the right reasons.”
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