INDY info

For those of you who love racing, here are a few interesting details about INDY.

IndyCar logo. (source: Richmond International Raceway)

MPG.
Indy cars average 1.92 MPG. About 1.3 gallons of ethanol fuel is burned every 2.5-mile lap.

Draft.
The draft (or "hole") in the air created by an Indy Car extends back 25 feet.

Tires.
At top speeds, Indy tires reach the temperature of boiling water (212 degrees) making them tar-like and sticky, assisting them adhere to the track.

Engines.
Indy Cars all use the same Honda engines. Plans to boost the circuits competition by 2011, Audi, Porsche and Alfa Romeo have expressed interest.

Trophy.
The Borg-Warner Trophy dates back to 1936. John Grawe sculpted the faces of the previous 24 champions on the surface. In 1987, a new vase came, and then again in 2004 with additional room to add winners until 2034. An 18" replica trophy called the "Baby Borg" is what the drivers actually get since the original 110 pound trophy remains.

Milk.
The tradition of drinking milk began in 1936 when Louis Meyer drank his favorite drink, buttermilk.

The Flags.
The flags of the race and what they mean.