Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon has completed two successful days of testing the 2012 prototype chassis at Iowa Speedway.
Wheldon drove almost the equivalent of an IZOD IndyCar Series race each day, and it was time well spent, according to IndyCar vice president of technology Will Phillips.
“I’m very pleased with how it went,” said Phillips, who is overseeing the initial phase of the testing program.
“We put in good mileage with no issues at all. We ran all sorts of aero configurations.”
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will play host to the next oval test of the 2012 car next week. Engine manufacturers will commence with their own on-track testing program in earnest in early October, and teams are scheduled to take delivery of their first chassis in mid-December.
“The tests are very disciplined with everyone involved,” said Wheldon, who will compete with the Toll Holden Racing Team in the Armor All Gold Coast 600.
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“We have several different manufacturers here that are testing their products: Honda, Dallara, Xtrac and several more so this makes for lots of different components that we need to test during our runs.
“Because this is the first test on an oval, there are measurements that have to be done. Things have to be tested and looked at after each given run so it is always good to be doing stuff like this. This program is very rewarding. The people involved in it, Bryan Herta Autosport team, has done a phenomenal job. The car has really evolved from our first test.
“We have some great manufacturers with a common goal to not only impress the fans with a new car but also build excitement.”
