IndyCar – Dixon will debut the Aeroscreen in winter testing

It is not only in Europe that single-seater championships are innovating to protect the driver's head. While Formula 1 will introduce the Halo in 2018, theIndyCar proposes another solution, called Aeroscreen and revealed for the first time on Friday.

The Aeroscreen is reminiscent of an airplane cockpit look, and for good reason; the appendix was developed by the American company PPG, specialized in the protection of fighter planes. The window made from Opticor proved to be more resistant, lighter and stronger than the polycarbonate used in previous tests. “The Aeroscreen is the result of a methodical process, explains Jay Frye, president of competition for IndyCar. We placed emphasis on creating a visually beautiful safety room and which can operate in all conditions. »

The Aeroscreen has been in the works for more than two years. The Italian workshops of Dallara, manufacturer of the IndyCar chassis, tested a miniature version on a tunnel. These last months, Gabby Chavez (Harding Racing) carried out static tests in the Dallara simulator.

Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) will be responsible for carrying out the first tests with this safety element on February 8 in Phoenix. The four-time champion of the discipline will mainly have to account for the driver's vision at various times of the day (afternoon, sunset and night under the circuit floodlights). No date of implementation in racing has been leaked.