Starting in 2014, IndyCar will mandate that all engines supplied to the IZOD IndyCar Series will utilize only twin turbochargers systems.
IndyCar mandates twin turbos for all engine suppliers in 2014
IndyCar Series officials have mandated that all engine suppliers will use twin-powered turbo engines effective the 2014 season.
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The decision doesn’t mean a whole lot for Chevrolet who returned to the Series in 2012 with a twin turbocharger powered by Ilmor Engineering. Honda opted for a single turbocharger for their house supplied power plant and will have to switch over before next season.
The turbocharger has been at the center of controversy at times with the Chevrolet twin charger appearing to have an advantage, especially on high speed ovals. When Honda took their complaints to turbo supplier BorgWarner, they did so without including Chevrolet in the conversation and the Turbogate played out ultimately ending with Honda receiving a modified the compressor cover for its charger.
Some drivers were still discontent, including Graham Rahal who said that IndyCar still needed to level the playing field. And with Thursday’s ruling, it appears they have.
The decision to mandate twin turbochargers across the board was confirmed after consultation in an IndyCar Engine Committee meeting. The plan according to an IndyCar new release was to further strengthen engine parity.
The timing of the switch is in line with the manufacturers’ first homologation update cycle for the 2.2-liter, direct-injected V6 engines supplied by both Chevrolet and Honda.
“In an effort for parity throughout the turbocharger range, mandating only a twin turbo system simplifies our efforts to ensure even closer competition,” IndyCar Competition Director Derrick Walker said in the release. “Both manufacturers displayed a willingness to use a common turbo spec for 2014, so it made sense to mandate a twin turbocharger that maintains the performance we’ve come to expect while keeping the technology relevant to the automotive industry.”
Engine manufacturer competition returned to the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2012 with Chevrolet and Lotus joining former sole supplier, Honda. Lotus has since left the Series with Chevrolet winning both the drivers and engine championship last season.
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