Another in the line of Indy Lights announcements via Andersen Promotions came through on Thursday morning, in a wheel partnership with Motegi Racing for the series’ new 2015 chassis.
Release below…
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Andersen Promotions has confirmed another key component in the development of the Dallara IL-15 equipment package which will make its competition debut in the 2015 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. The company today announced a new technical partnership with leading high performance wheel manufacturer Motegi Racing.
Owned by Wheel Pros, one of the world’s largest suppliers of branded custom wheels, Motegi Racing has technical partnerships with teams in a variety of formulas including Formula One, Formula Drift and Global Rallycross. It will have a strong presence in this weekend’s Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, showcasing numerous partnerships including the pair of SpeedSource Mazda SKYACTIV-D P2 prototypes and factory SRT Vipers, all of the Ferrari 458 Italias in the GTD class, and the Alex Job and Patrick Dempsey Porsche GT Americas.
“We are very excited to enter into this new partnership with Motegi Racing,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “Motegi is highly regarded for its technology, expertise and quality, and their product will enhance the beauty of our new Dallara race car while providing outstanding performance. With our collaboration, we will be able to reduce wheel costs significantly for our teams and provide a state-of-the-art piece. I am extremely pleased with our arrangement.”
The Motegi Indy Lights wheels will be of mono-block forged aluminum construction made of Wheel Pros’ specially engineered and developed aluminum alloy with custom heat treatment, which has been proven in racing at the highest levels of GT sportscar and rallycross competition. Its particular characteristics increase the mechanical properties providing a light weight comparable to forged magnesium, but with the elongation and resistance to corrosion benefits typical of aluminum. It is also 100 percent recyclable.
The forged blanks will be produced in the United States and will be engineered, manufactured and finished in Italy at Wheel Pros’ racing division. Each wheel will be supplied with a standard aluminum valve, and specification for the product will follow ETRTO (European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) recommendations and TÜV test rules and certification. Offset and spoke profiles (caliper space) will be machined to custom fit the Dallara chassis configuration (front 10″ x 15″, rear 14″ x 15″).
The Motegi race proven proprietary TechnomeshT design will be used to provide the perfect balance of stiffness, light weight and air flow into the brakes. The Technomesh design features an ergonomic spoke shape to facilitate the grip of mechanics on the wheels during tire changes.
“This technical partnership underscores our commitment to the ladder system in U.S. open-wheel racing and the young future stars on their way to the IndyCar Series,” said Jody Groce, President of Wheel Pros LLC. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to introduce our forged aluminum wheel technology to the top level of the ladder after being already proven at the highest levels of sportscar GT racing with the Ferrari AF Corse GT factory team in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the factory Viper SRT in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and the Ford factory OMSE team in Global Rallycross.”
Testing of the new Dallara IL-15 featuring Cooper Tires and the Advanced Engine Research LTD. AER-P63 engine will begin in July. Long-term partnerships with industry leaders Performance Friction (PFC) on a brake package and Cosworth for electronics (looms, steering wheel and data system) were announced in November.