Draft:Dallara iR-18
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|  |
| Category | IndyCar |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Dallara DW12 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Chassis | Carbon fiber monocoque |
| Engine | 2.2L twin-turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | Xtrac 6-speed sequential |
| Weight | Approx. 1620 lb (735 kg) (road/street config) |
| Competition history | |
| Debut | 2018 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
The Dallara IR-18 is an open-wheel racing car chassis currently used in the IndyCar Series in North America. The IR-18 was designed for speed on oval and road courses, with a focus on close wheel-to-wheel racing, plentiful passing opportunities, and some of the most exciting open-wheel racing in the world.
The car features two distinctly different aero packages: a low-downforce setup for superspeedways and a high-downforce setup for street and road courses. Power comes from a 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing upwards of 700 brake horsepower (bhp).
Development
[edit]The IR-18, also known as the "Universal Aero Kit" car, was introduced in 2018 to replace the Dallara DW12. Developed by Dallara in collaboration with IndyCar, the IR-18 modernized the look of the cars, simplified the aerodynamic configurations, and enhanced safety.
One of the primary aims of the IR-18 was to create a car that generated more of its downforce from underbody aerodynamics, making it easier for drivers to follow and pass one another on track. The Universal Aero Kit era replaced the separate Honda and Chevrolet aero kits that were used between 2015 and 2017.
Design
[edit]The IR-18 continues to use the core DW12 carbon fiber monocoque, but features revised bodywork:
- Sleeker sidepods and engine cover
- Reduced front and rear wing complexity
- Strengthened chassis and additional safety structures
- Introduction of the Advanced Frontal Protection (AFP) device in 2019
- Addition of the Aeroscreen cockpit protection device in 2020
The two aero packages are:
- Superspeedway Package: Minimal wing elements for low drag and maximum speed.
- Road/Street Course Package: Additional aerodynamic elements for high downforce and cornering performance.
Engine
[edit]The IR-18 is powered by 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines, supplied by Chevrolet and Honda Performance Development. These engines produce approximately 700 bhp, with an overtake assist ("push-to-pass") system available on road and street circuits to temporarily increase power output.
Competition History
[edit]The IR-18 debuted at the 2018 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, with Sébastien Bourdais taking the first victory in the new chassis.
Since then, the IR-18 has become the standard car of the series, with teams and drivers praising its handling characteristics, improved racing quality, and enhanced safety. Notable achievements include victories at the Indianapolis 500, championships across multiple seasons, and the platform’s continued relevance with minor updates.
Legacy
[edit]The Dallara IR-18 has helped bring the IndyCar Series back to a more traditional form of open-wheel racing, emphasizing driver skill, strategy, and close racing. It remains in use today and is expected to serve as the basis for future IndyCar seasons with incremental updates.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]External links
[edit]{IndyCar chassis}
The latest car to be raced in the IndyCar Series in North America, the IR-18 was designed for speed on oval and road courses. The spec chassis makes for close wheel-to-wheel racing, plenty of on-track passing, and some of the most exciting open-wheel racing in the world. Featuring two distinctly different aero packages—one low-downforce package for superspeedways and another high-downforce package for street and road courses—the IR-18 is built to perform in a variety of racing conditions. Under the hood, the powerplant is a 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces upwards of 700 bhp.
Development
The IR-18, also known informally as the "Universal Aero Kit" car, was introduced to replace the Dallara DW12 chassis that had been in use since 2012. Designed to modernize the appearance of the IndyCar Series while improving safety, performance, and raceability, the IR-18 features sleek, aggressive bodywork with a more traditional open-wheel look compared to the aerodynamic appendages of the DW12's original body kits.
Development emphasized creating a car that would be easier to follow in traffic, enhancing the quality of racing. A key goal was also to reduce costs for teams by providing a standardized aero kit, ending the manufacturer aero kit era (2015–2017) when Honda and Chevrolet supplied separate aerodynamic packages.
Design
The IR-18 retains the carbon fiber monocoque safety cell of the DW12 chassis but includes a number of updates:
- Revised sidepods and engine cover for improved aerodynamics and cooling
- Lower and repositioned front and rear wings
- Removal of previous front and rear winglets and "aero devices" used in the DW12 era
- Strengthened cockpit and chassis structure
- The addition of the "Advanced Frontal Protection" device in 2019, and later the Aeroscreen cockpit protection device in 2020 to improve driver safety.
Two aero configurations are used:
- Superspeedway Package: Low-drag design, minimized wing angle, optimized for top speed on ovals like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- Road/Street Course Package: Higher-downforce setup with greater wing angle and more aerodynamic elements to maximize grip for tight corners and technical tracks.
Engine
The IR-18 is powered by a 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine supplied by either Honda Performance Development (HPD) or Chevrolet. Both engines produce approximately 700 horsepower in standard road and street course trim, with additional horsepower available through push-to-pass on road and street circuits. For oval racing, engine output is adjusted depending on track length and regulations.
Competition History
Since its debut in 2018, the IR-18 has proven to be a highly successful platform. It has produced some of the most competitive seasons in IndyCar history, with tightly bunched fields, unpredictable race winners, and a mix of veterans and rookies battling at the front. The car’s versatility on ovals, road courses, and street circuits has made it a favorite among drivers and teams.
The IR-18 made its Indianapolis 500 debut in 2018, with Will Power winning that year's race for Team Penske. Since then, the chassis has become a staple of the series, with minor updates and continued use through multiple seasons.
Legacy
The Dallara IR-18 has cemented its place in IndyCar history as a car that brought the series back to its roots: close racing, driver skill, and pure competition. It remains the backbone of the NTT IndyCar Series today, providing a platform that challenges drivers while thrilling fans around the world.