Dallara will supply the universal aerodynamic kits which will be introduced to the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2018.
IndyCar had drip-fed a series of images of the new bodywork since January, with full sketches released a fortnight ago, but no supplier had been confirmed.
Now, however, Dallara will again supply the aero kit for its own IR-12 chassis, ending the practice for the last three years of each manufacturer producing their own bodywork.
There will, however, continue to be separate kits for superspeedways and road courses/street circuits/short ovals.
“This has been a collaborative effort from multiple parties, including input from our paddock and fans,” said IndyCar president of competition and operations Jay Frye.
“Dallara has been a great partner, and we couldn’t be more enthused with the look, the safety enhancements and the performance objectives of the 2018 car.”
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IndyCar has stressed that a key element of the design process was to arrive at an attractive car, then reverse-engineer performance and safety features to fit the look.
Dallara CEO Andrea Pontremoli reiterated that ideal at the announcement of the supply deal.
“2017 marks the 20th anniversary of our presence in IndyCar, and it is a great honour for us to continue our partnership with the Verizon IndyCar Series,” said Pontremoli.
“Our main goal for the new aero kit was to work on the style, trying to maintain the American essence of the car and the series keeping a good level of performance and safety.”
Dallara has been the sole chassis supplier to IndyCar since 2008, having first supplied safety cells in 1997.
Testing for the new aerodynamic kits, which IndyCar claims will generate more downforce from the floor and thus reduce turbulence for following cars, will commence in the northern summer.
As part of the announcement, IndyCar confirmed that superspeedway testing will begin at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25-26, with the road course/street circuit/short oval specification on August 1 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
This year’s series continues this weekend with a 600-mile race at Texas Motor Speedway on June 9-10.
Click here for more renders released in May.
VIDEO: New IndyCar bodywork
Silver: Superspeedway, Red: Road course/street circuit/short oval
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