Debut of Hybrid Technology at the NTT INDYCAR SERIES at Mid-Ohio

The hybrid era for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will debut from Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.

INDYCAR, Chevrolet, and Honda have collaborated in developing this unique hybrid unit. The 2.2-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine was first tested with hybrid power on August 16, 2023, at Sebring International Raceway. In just seven months, 28 drivers from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES completed a total of 23,518 miles of successful testing.

INDYCAR President Jay Frye stated: "The collaboration between Chevrolet and Honda has driven this innovative project to the starting grid in 2024. The INDYCAR-specific hybrid power unit will bring new energy elements and overtaking options. We look forward to the start of this new era at Mid-Ohio."

Hybrid System Features

The hybrid system consists of a low-voltage (48V) Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and an Energy Storage System (ESS) – featuring 20 ultracapacitors – both integrated within the housing between the internal combustion engine and the gearbox. During regeneration, acting on the clutch shaft, the MGU generates power to be stored in the ESS. The additional power is deployed at the driver's demand.

For the race, automatic regeneration options will be offered through braking or throttle position, as well as manual regeneration via paddles and buttons on the steering wheel. Stored energy will be deployed manually using a button, similar to the current Push to Pass system.

On road and street circuits, the hybrid system will work alongside the traditional Push to Pass system, providing an additional boost of 120 horsepower, reaching a total of over 800 horsepower for the first time in two decades. An increase in power is expected in the coming years as hybrid unit development evolves.

Safety and Testing

The low-voltage system allows drivers to restart the car themselves if they stop ```html on the track, avoiding the need to deploy the INDYCAR safety team and increasing green flag action.

Eric Warren, Executive Director of Competition at General Motors, mentioned: "The introduction of hybrid technology provides the opportunity to integrate electrification technologies into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. During the development of any new technology, extensive analysis and testing are conducted to identify potential issues. We support INDYCAR's decisions in this process to carefully study test data and ensure that, when hybrid technology is integrated, the operation and performance are as expected."

David Salters, President of Honda Racing Corporation USA, added: "Hybrid technology is playing an increasingly important role in both our racing programs and the production vehicles of Honda and Acura. More than a quarter of Honda's total sales in 2023 were hybrids. Introducing electrification into INDYCAR at Mid-Ohio further aligns our racing efforts with Honda's vehicle production."

Future Testing and Events

A comprehensive test of the INDYCAR power unit is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11 at the Milwaukee Mile to allow teams to finalize implementation before the July debut. On-track tests have taken place at Barber Motorsports Park, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IMS road course, Milwaukee Mile, Road America, Sebring, and World Wide Technology Raceway to effectively reflect the disciplines of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar.

The next event for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26. Coverage begins at 11 a.m.