By SEMA News Editors
INDYCAR Sets Date for Hybrid Debut
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has confirmed the launch of its new hybrid power unit for later this year.
Developed by INDYCAR, Chevrolet and Honda, the hybrid unit will pair with the 2.2L, twin-turbocharged V6 engine used by the series and make its competitive debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during the Honda Indy 200, July 5-7.
The hybrid system is made up of the low-voltage (48V) Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and Energy Storage System (ESS)--consisting of 20 ultracapacitors--both of which fit inside the bellhousing, located between the engine and gearbox. During regeneration, acting on the clutch shaft, the MGU builds power to be stored in the ESS. The additional horsepower is deployed through the same motor generator on driver demand.
In competition, options for automatic regeneration via braking or throttle position and manual regeneration via selected steering wheel paddles and buttons will be available. Deployment of stored energy will only be available manually through a latching button, similar to the existing Push to Pass system, according to INDYCAR.
While available to use in addition to the traditional Push-to-Pass system on road and street circuits, the two systems will come with different rules. Push-to-Pass will still have a restriction on the amount of time per use and total time used throughout a race. Rules for the hybrid power unit will limit the amount of energy deployed per lap and will be based on track length. Used in combination on road and street circuits, the added boost will provide an additional 120 hp for a total of 800-plus hp. Additional horsepower is expected in the coming years as hybrid unit development continues, the series said.
A full-field test of INDYCAR's power unit is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, at the Milwaukee Mile to allow teams to finalize implementation ahead of the July debut.
For more information, visit indycar.com.
NASCAR to Launch In-Season Tournament on TNT Sports in 2025; Prime Video to Feature Seeding Races
NASCAR has announced it will hold a first-of-its-kind in-season tournament for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025. The seeding for the bracket-style, head-to-head event across TNT Sports' full five-race schedule will be set by results from the final three races that will air on Prime Video.
"The idea of an in-season tournament has been discussed within the NASCAR industry and as we started to focus on adding promotional elements that drive interest throughout the season, we were excited by the opportunity to leverage the marketing weight of Amazon and TNT Sports to bring this concept to life," said Brian Herbst, NASCAR SVP, Media and Productions.
All drivers are eligible for the seeding races, which will take place during the final three races of Prime Video's coverage of the NASCAR Cup Series. The top 32 drivers based on the seeding events will become eligible for the in-season tournament competition. Bracket seeding will be established by the best finish in each race over the three races, with the tiebreakers determined by the next-best finish, followed by season points position.
The tournament kicks off with the first event in the TNT Sports portion of the NASCAR Cup Series season. Drivers will compete head-to-head with the higher finishing driver of each race advancing over five rounds. The winner of the tournament will receive a $1 million prize.
For the complete details, visit the NASCAR announcement here or visit nascar.com.
Acura Integra Type S Competes in One Lap of America
Two Acura engineers recently competed in the 2024 Tire Rack One Lap of America behind the wheel of the Acura Integra Type S, the first time the high-performance model has participated in the eight-day cross-country road rally that covers 3,500 miles and includes timed events on nine racetracks across the Midwest.
The Acura entry was driven by Justyn Bobinski, a brake and vehicle dynamics test engineer at the Honda North American Automotive Development Center, and Nick Amato, who performs brake verification testing at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant.
The Acura race team is part of the Honda of America Racing Team (HART), which consists of Honda associates across North America. The HART program provides associates with motorsports experience, while also transferring vehicle performance learnings into the development and manufacturing of next-generation Honda and Acura products. The HART One Lap of America team is supporting the Victory Center, an Ohio-based organization that provides programs and services to cancer patients, survivors and their families.
Bobinski and Amato used One Lap of America to further test the performance, handling, and durability of the Acura Integra Type S under extreme conditions. The Type S variant featured a turbocharged 320hp 2.0L engine, a six-speed manual transmission, a dual-axis front suspension design and four-piston Brembo front brakes. For the competition, the only modifications from stock were a racing seat and roll cage for safety, CarboTech brake pads, Red Line Oil, and a custom "careers.honda.com" livery.
Additionally, Acura engineers Tyler Chambers and Chad Gilsinger piloted the 600hp "one-and-a-half" Acura NSX Type S in the event, towing the rear half of another NSX custom fabricated into a trailer, which carried spare tires, tools and fluids.
For more information, visit acura.com.
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