IndyCar – Standing starts in Toronto and Houston

THEIndyCar will have three two-race events this season, with the Doubleheaders racing at Belle Island (May 31-June 2), Toronto (July 12-14) and Houston (October 4-6). Qualifying for the first race will take place on Friday according to the current format with a first session reduced from 15 to 10 minutes. In order to provide a strategic challenge, drivers will be able to freely use their tires unlike the classic format which limits teams to one set of tires per car. Qualifying for the second race will be contested the following morning in a 30-minute session. “We wanted to introduce Doubleheaders this year to improve the spectator experience over a race weekend”, comments race director Beaux Barfield. “We took this step and decided to add elements to our racing program that we had studied over the last few years. »

The organizers of the discipline have also decided to adopt standing starts for the first races in Toronto and Houston, with the second rounds retaining a traditional start format. “We are currently studying the possibility of adding a standing start in one or two races this season”, specified Beaux Barfield. “We would like to designate a location on the pit exit lane where drivers can practice standing start procedures during free practice. This would allow competitors to get their bearings and get used to the light system. »