DeltaWing wants to be the 2014 Indy Lights chassis

In May the Indy Lights series, the top feeder for IndyCar, put out an RFP from manufacturers interested in constructing a new chassis for 2014 to replace the 10-year-old Dallara currently in use.

According to reports, hands were raised by "five or six" companies that included Dallara, Mygale, Swift and Mugen. Also among the submisions, according to Racer Magazine, is the group behind the DeltaWing sans Nissan, which was a collaboration specifically for Le Mans composed of the designers, Dan Gurney's All American Racers, and Elan Motorsports Technologies (the home of Panoz). Remember, the DeltaWing was originally created as an IndyCar chassis proposal.

The DeltaWing would certainly fulfill part of the first requirement of the new Indy Lights chassis, that it have a "forward-thinking, sophisticated and exciting formula." The necessity for paddle shifting, upgraded data systems and alternative fuel considerations sounds easy enough but we don't know what alterations the car might need to satisfy some of the other specs, such as adaptability to the variety of circuits "with a minimum of facility-specific parts," the ability to fit a "broad spectrum of drivers and seating positions," and "improved aerodynamic performance that must also allow for enhanced sponsor placement opportunities on the car." Overall, Indy Lights authroities would like to acquire a manufacturer-badged engine and see top speeds bumped up a bit as well.

Not that the deadline for submissions has passed, the entries are being considered and it's said that a decision could come in the next two months.

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Ducati and Audi team up to attack Pikes Peak

Audi and Ducati. Two powerhouses in their respective realms, and as of recently the motorcycle brand belongs to Audi AG as part of Lamborghini. Inspired, perhaps, by the freshly forged relationship between he two companies, Audi has decided to examine how much the two share in their pursuit of glory at Pikes Peak by taking it on in tandem.

Of course, cameras were in place to capture the action as the hill-climb-ready RS5 and Ducati Mulitstrada took on all 12.42 miles and 156 tuns of the climb together. The stupendously high production value allows the you to take in the new, fully-paved course in all its glory.

You can watch the full 14,110-foot dual ascent below.

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Ryan Hunter-Reay explains his IndyCar's $25,000 steering wheel

Ever wondered why there are so many buttons on F1 and IndyCar steering wheels?

Road & Track decided to get the answers from a man who uses one every day: IndyCar points leader Ryan Hunter-Reay. The basic controls include a push-to-talk button that allows the driver to communicate with his crew, plus toggles for push-to-pass, water for the driver, and a pit-lane cruiser button that caps the IndyCar's speed. The latter is protected by a guard so it's not inadvertently activated, which happened to Hunter-Reay last year in Brazil.

Watch the video below to see Ryan Hunter-Reay explain the wheel to his race-winning ride.

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This is what 4,500 hp worth of V8 Miatas looks like

A strange thing happened at this year's Flyin' Miata Summer Camp. The crew hosts a day of seminars covering everything from new products to a timing belt how-to, and this year, a total of 11 V8 conversions showed up in the same room. There are many ways to pull over 400 horsepower from a Mazda Miata, but few are more entertaining than plopping a honkin' American V8 behind the headlights.

The shop routinely plays host to Keith Tanner's delicious Targa Miata as well as the company's NB development mule, Elvis, and his NC sister, Betty, but with six customer cars with FM V8 conversions on hand plus two homebrew specials hanging about, the total hit an all-time high.

No one's throwing out any specific numbers, but estimates put the final horsepower figure at around 4,500 ponies. For perspective, you'd need to amass around 27 stock NC models to crest the same number. Cue the mad-scientist laughter.

This year marked the 15th Flyin' Miata Summer camp, and fans of the brand trekked from as far as Maine and Florida for five days of on-track shenanigans, group drives and seminars by the FM staff. Check it out below as well as a full gallery from the shindig.

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Valentino Rossi leaves Ducati, heads home to Yamaha

After an undeniably unsuccessful two-year relationship with Ducati, motorcycle superstar Valentino Rossi has decided to take his talents back to Yamaha, the team he left at the end of the 2010 season for what he hoped would be greener pastures.

The deal signed by Rossi will see him wearing Yamaha blue for two years the 2013 and 2014 seasons and teaming up once again with Jorge Lorenzo, the 25-year-old Spanish rider who won the World Championship in 2010 and is currently doing the same for 2012. Though Lorenzo is undoubtedly an extremely gifted rider, Rossi is a fan and sponsor favorite and is sure to help Yamaha bring in some much-needed sponsorship dollars.

As to who will be filling Rossi's vacated saddle at Ducati, rumor has it that the Italian team is most interested in Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso. If that's the case, he will be paired up with American Nicky Hayden, who has been with Ducati since 2009. Dueling press releases, one from Ducati and the other from Yamaha, can be found below. Suffice it to say, the 2013 MotoGP season even without Casey Stoner is shaping up to be rather interesting.

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Flyin' Miata gets the documentary treatment

It's been nearly a year since Flyin' Miata took two cars to the Targa Newfoundland. As you may recall, I got to tag along and do my best to get the supercharged Grand Touring entry as lost as possible. While we were there, one very dedicated film crew followed us from stage to stage, thereby documenting our various triumphs and defeats for a feature-length film. Packed with lots of in-stage footage, interviews with crew as well as fans of both Flyin' Miata and the Targa Newfoundland, the show finds itself on footing with the likes of Truth in 24 and From Dust to Glory.

I spend a bit of time on screen trying to explain what it's like to drown under a league of time-speed-distance calculations, but don't let that be a deterrent. The movie does a stellar job of conveying exactly what it's like to compete in one of the most unique motorsports endeavors on the planet. You can check out the preview for Racing the Rock below or head over to Flyin' Miata to purchase your DVD copy. Keep an eye out for it to show up on iTunes and BluRay later down the line.

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2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Practice Day 3 saves the best for last

For the first two practice days of this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb, we spent our time on the bottom third of the mountain, first checking out the new contenders of the Electric Division, including Monster Tajima's E-Runner, and for the second day catching up with the old and new faces of the Unlimited and Time Attack classes.

For the third and final practice day we headed up the mountain to the middle section of the course that encompasses many of its switchbacks. Our decision was two-fold, first to continue following the diverse selection of Unlimited and Time Attack cars, and second to take in what we consider the most beautiful section of the mountain. This portion of the road is undoubtedly the most dangerous with few guardrails and sheer drop-offs, but it's also the most visually stunning. Standing well above the tree line and just below Devil's Playground, named for the lightning bolts that jump from rock to rock during thunderstorms, one can see a large portion of the course hundreds of feet below. It's a scene that's unrivaled in any form of motorsport, enhanced further by fantastic Colorado sunrises that usher in each day's practice session.



The competitors didn't disappoint those in attendance, blasting up each switchback at a furious pace, although it was evident that some cars were showing signs of struggling in the thin air of the higher elevations. Paul Dallenbach and Frenchman Jean-Philippe Dayraut continued their battle for fastest time in the Unlimited class, although it looks like the Frenchman currently has a slight edge on the Colorado native. While Dallenbach's home-built twin-turbo race car surely has more power, Dayraut's Dacia Duster looks to have the edge in handling.

Rhys Millen looked dominate in the Time Attack division in his 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and while results have yet to be posted from today's session we're confident he's at the top of the charts. Assuming Millen doesn't suffer any of the problems that plagued him over the last few years, he's a sure bet to set a new record in the class come race day.

You can see our photos from the third practice day of this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the gallery above, and check back next week for Sunday's final race results.

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