Aug 17

Written by: The Commish
8/17/2010 7:12 PM 

Robin Miller and others got one of their wishes this week as celebrated smart, practical, fair and "get's is" champ car expert Tony Cotman was named as the leader of the team that will help IndyCar navigate the next most critical stage of its growth. 

That other wish, the one about seeing Brian Barnhart fired prior to 2011 at the latest, is still under consideration by the karma cowboy.

According to Miller's latest article on SPEED.com, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said,  “I’m happy Tony has accepted this job, he’s well respected and a bright guy who has the experience of delivering a new car.  His priorities and mine are the same and that is to come up with the best competitive car for 2012."

Cotman's done this before, probably better than anyone.  He oversaw the development of Champ Car's last breath Panoz/Cosworth (on a team that included current ALMS tech chief Scott Elkins), and was also in charge of the Atlantic Series chassis and engine programs.  

I have to believe Cotman and Elkins are still tight.  I also believe Cotman is aware of the odds of attracting new racing-only engine manufacturers for 2012 are slim at best, mainly because of the economy, and has taken notice of the relative plethora of production-based turbo V6s expected for the ALMS LMP2 class.

As mentioned in a previous diatribe I think specs that will allow for both racing-only and production-based engines are absolutely, positively necessary if IndyCar wants to prosper instead of fester in the next few years.

Honda is on record as losing money on its IndyCar program.  Now there's an endorsement.

Copyright ©2010 The Commish