IndyCar team owners voted unanimously to reject the proposal to add different aero kits to the cars for 2013. Aero kits, designed to increase visual differences between cars, were rejected for 2012 as well.
The kits were part of the original IndyCar ICONIC Committee new car proposal; the idea was to have manufacturers create unique bodywork to add brand identity. Right now all cars use identical Dallara bodies.
“We’re all in agreement that nobody wants new aero kits next year because it’s not really necessary right now,'' Dennis Reinbold, co-owner of Panther/DDR Racing, told IndyCar.com
We’ve got a really good race car right now and the competition level is good so it’s just an extra expense we don’t need.'’
The kits would cost $75,000 per car, and teams would need to buy several kits in case of accident damage. The basic car, projected to cast $385,000, actually costs teams between $500,000 and $600,000, so owners are already struggling with tight budgets.
