The NTT Data IndyCar Series came to an end last Sunday at Laguna Seca, but a new chapter for the series is starting this Wednesday.
In a press release sent out on Monday, INDYCAR confirmed that it would be hosting its first test for the new Aeroscreen technology that was developed by Red Bull Racing this Wednesday at the Brickyard.
The test will last from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET and does not appear to be televised or live streamed anywhere by the series, officially.
IndyCar to test aeroscreen technology on Wednesday at Brickyard
INDYCAR announced in May that it had partnered with Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT) to design the Aeroscreen for that is set to be used on cars during the 2020 season.
The goal is to make the cars safer to drive and reduce the risk of injury to drivers from debris that comes into the cockpit area from the racing surface.
This is the second phase of INDYCAR’s objective to further enhance driver safety in their series’ cars.
INDYCAR debuted the first phase earlier this season at the Indianapolis Grand Prix with the Advanced Frontal Protection (AFP) device, which was used throughout the season to help deflect debris away from the cockpit area.
The AFP was essentially a small add on to the front of the car right in front of the cockpit and can be seen in the picture below.
The design from RBAT is a, “Poly carbonate laminated screen that will include an anti-reflective coating on the interior of the screen, anti-fogging device through an integral heating element and possibly tear-offs.”
All of those add-ons are said to be produced by third-party companies that are integrated with both INDYCAR and RBAT.
Wednesday’s test will be the first of three on-track testing sessions that are scheduled for the Aeroscreen set to take place in the first three weeks of the month. Other dates for testing the new technology includes Barber Motorsports Park on October 7 and Richmond Raceway on October 15.
The 2020 IndyCar Season is scheduled to once again open up with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg which is tentatively scheduled for March 15.
The full 2020 schedule can be found here.
