INDYCAR names new managing director of engine development - MotorSportsTalk

INDYCAR has named veteran engineer Darren Sansum as new managing director of engine development. Sansum comes to INDYCAR off a stint with Toyota Racing Development, which has won consecutive manufacturer championships in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Sansum has also previously worked in INDYCAR in various capacities, including stints with Ford Motor Company, Cosworth Technology, and Ilmor Engineering.

“Darren is someone we targeted early on in the hiring process,” said Jay Frye, INDYCAR’s president of competition and operations, of Sansum’s hiring. “There is a lot happening within INDYCAR’s engine program, both current and future projects. Darren’s background makes him a perfect fit to lead our engine program today and into the future.”

"There is a lot happening within #INDYCAR’s engine program, both current and future projects. Darren’s background makes him a perfect fit to lead our engine program today and into the future." –@JayRFrye https://t.co/wI8zPAdsNu

— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) January 31, 2018

In addition to overseeing the competition between current manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda, Sansum will also help develop a new set of engine regulations for the Verizon IndyCar Series while the series looks to add a third manufacturer alongside Honda and Chevrolet.

“What excites me about this role is that it’s an opportunity to use my 25 years of engine engineering,” Sansum said of the chance to join INDYCAR . “It’s an opportunity to help develop the sport itself and it’s particularly pertinent that it’s with INDYCAR since that’s where it started for me and it’s the fastest category in North America.”

Follow@KyleMLavigne

In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Read more about SuperMotocross