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Nr. 14 Year 2011 MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY "Periodico regolarmente registrato presso il Tribunale di Parma (n.16, 03/09/2010)" INDYCAR ENGINEER ANDREA PONTREMOLI REVEALS THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT DALLARA’S COMMITMENTS IN THE USA, ONE YEAR AFTER WORKS BEGAN ON THE NEW FACTORY IN INDIANAPOLIS: “THIS VENTURE ENABLES US TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT RACE DESIGN, AND ENTERTAIN THEM AT THE SAME TIME” FORMULA 3 THE NEW MODEL WILL DEBUT IN 2012: TALKS ABOUT THE CAR, THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AND REAFFIRMS THE COMPANY’S PASSION FOR THE CATEGORY: “A GLOBAL CHALLENGE THAT WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO”

PIRRO & RICCIARDO ONE OF THE GREATEST ITALIAN DRIVERS OF THE LAST THIRTY YEARS, AND THE NEW HOPE OF FORMULA 1 TELL US ABOUT THEIR AFFECTION FOR AND INVOLVEMENT WITH DALLARA, EXPLAINING WHY THE ITALIAN DESIGNED HAVE PROVED SO POPULAR WITH DRIVERS OVER THE YEARS F3

2 ENGINEER DALLARA SPEAKS OPENLY: THE SECRETS OF THE NEW CAR, THE FUTURE OF THE CATEGORY, THE STATE OF THE VARIOUS CHAMPIONSHIPS, FAVORITE MEMORIES “F.3 IS A GLOBAL CHALLENGE”

3 FORMULA 3

ogether with the IndyCar, the F3 intercontinental competition. Mygale and Japan. The German and Australian car is probably the one that best still continue in from the championships that use the cars from Tsymbolizes Dallara’s history and championship, and we have heard the previous generation remain tradition. This was Engineer Gian recently that Lola may re-enter the important. Paolo Dallara’s starting point, and it is competition in 2013. For this reason, it There are also a several “minor” the point from which he intends to lay is important to keep refining the car, championships that have a reduced down the foundations for the future. while resisting the temptation to number of races, but still pull their The new F3 for the 2012-2015 seasons revolutionize it, since you never know weight in the world of covered wheel is almost ready. The rules have whether the current solutions will competition racing cars. The Italian changed and it is important to be continue to give us the same advantage championship is at a watershed: due to fully prepared to face a high level of in the future. The new car must last for uncertainty about engine design, they competition. The Engineer invited us at least four years, so it was important have decided not to follow the into his office to explain how he plans to develop an aerodynamic design that evolution. I hope that they do not to handle this competition. would stand the test of time, which is suffer at the hands of the Spanish why we spent so many hours in the competition and that they manage to wind tunnel. In fact, in this case, we retain the position as a top level Engineer Dallara, what is the new car weren’t striving to build a good car, but championship that they have achieved like? to build a better car than our over recent years”. “It is significantly different from last competitors, all of whom are extremely year’s model. A new gearbox, a raised capable”. Dallara accounts for more than 90 per nose that resulted in the need to cent of the F.3 world market. What implement special front torsion springs, Which markets should F3 be aiming to strategic role does F3 play in the general refinements to the build but, strengthen its position in and which company’s development plans? above all, we have concentrated on can it break into in the near future? “We learn more from F3 than from any aerodynamics”. “A lot of categories are experiencing of the other international motor racing difficulties at the moment, the fact categories we are involved in. In your opinion, what will be the that, as things stand, F3 is so healthy It is present everywhere apart from main technological challenges in this in various parts of the world gives us Africa and we will always strive to category over the next few years? reason to be satisfied. With the maintain a high level of excellence for “F3 is one of the few categories, introduction of the new car, there will this car. For us, abandoning F3 would together with F1 and the Le Mans be a strong competition in Great mean the beginning of a decline: we prototypes, where there is stiff Britain, Spain, Europe, South America have been involved for a long time and

Since the new car must last for at least four years, it was important to develop an aerodynamic design that would stand the test of time, which is why we spent so many hours in the wind tunnel

4 1977/78

1980

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5 FORMULA 3 we will defend it with all means at our complete racing education, enabling dominated the market, such us disposal. The simple fact that we know them to exchange ideas with Reynard, , March or Chevron. our competitors are good and that we technicians and track engineers, and Challenging these companies may have want to keep challenging them is providing them with extensive seemed a little irresponsible, or even reason enough”. knowledge about the car, the various presumptuous, but it was driven by a regulations, etc.” desire to improve the technical level of Dallara has been investing heavily in F3: our strategy was to concentrate on the USA recently: what chance is there In a past edition of this magazine, composites, a carbon body and of seeing F3 in the United States in together with Engineer Concari, the extensive use of the wind tunnel”. future? “historical” manager of the F3 “In the United States, single seater project, we counted more than 200 From the first F3 in 1978 up to today, racing cars are synonymous with wins between national and what are your favorite memories IndyCar. There is a possibility that, in international races. When did you associated with this car? the future, in addition to IndyLights realize that this car had the “I would say our first win in the Italian (Editor’s note: the preliminary IndyCar potential to be a key to success for championship, with the Tuscan driver category), it may be possible to the company? Guido Pardini in 1980, the European introduce an entry-level category, such “At the beginning of this adventure we championship in 1985 with , as F3". achieved some very good results with the French championships with Jean the Sportcar models, thanks to the Alesi, the first wins in England in 1993 FIA recently considered the idea of collaborations with which with . To win in making it obligatory for drivers to helped us in our technical was almost taken for granted, after all, compete in F3 before stepping up to development. We got off to a good we were playing at home where we F.1. A valid idea, or one to forget? start with F3, but the step up from could keep a close eye on both teams “I don’t think it should be made national to international level meant and drivers. The greatest satisfaction obligatory, given that at least 80% of coming up against the British, and on was winning in England because it F1 drivers have driven in F3. A small their own territory. The great leap earned us the respect of the motor number of drivers came up through forward came when we won in racing world, which confirmed our GP3, GP2 or World Series by England: we felt “international” for the faith in our own abilities”. instead of F3. It is also true, however, first time, earning the esteem of the that F3 provides drivers with a traditional constructors that Alessandro Santini

The Italian championship is at a watershed: due to uncertainty about engine design, they have decided not to follow the evolution. I hope that they do not suffer at the hands of the Spanish competition and that they manage to retain the position as a top level championship that they have achieved over recent years

6 1993

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7 INDYCAR FACTORY FACTORY INDYCAR

PONTREMOLI: “PEOPLE WILL HAVE FU

8 LEARNING HOW A RACI A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, ON 14TH JULY 2010, IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN THE PRESENCE OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF INDIANA, DALLARA MADE A FORMAL COMMITMENT TO BUILD THE CARS FOR THE INDYCAR SERIES FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH GENERATION OF DALLARA , AFTER THE 1997, 2000 AND 2003 MODELS. WEASKEDENGINEER ANDREA PONTREMOLI, WHO SIGNED THE CONTRACT TOGETHER WITH THE CEO OF INDYCAR, RANDY BERNARD, FOR MORE INFORMATION UN, WHILE

ING CAR IS BORN” 9 INDYCAR FACTORY FACTORY INDYCAR

Engineer Pontremoli, what is stated offering teams and other players in planning, assembly and quality in the contract? the American motoring sector control. All personnel have selected by “The contract states that we will technical consulting. A “sister” Dallara Italy in conjunction with the supply all the cars for the IndyCar company with a lot to learn, but at CEO and General Manager for the championship until 2016, that the the same time, we believe, much to American company, Stefano De Ponti. cars shall be lighter than the previous teach us”. A number of them have already generations, shall consume less fuel received the necessary training in and cost less. Moreover, in order to How is the work progressing? Varano, and others will be coming ensure an acceptable degree of “We acquired a plot of approximately over in the next few months”. diversification, and hence competition, 23.700 m2 which will house a the design shall include a series of building covering 8.150 m2. Building How would you summarize the new aerodynamic components that third work started on 25th May and we venture? parties such as teams, sponsors, have almost completed work on the “The intention is to establish a automobile manufacturers, motorists roof. The facility will be complete by presence in America in the full and engineering companies, etc. will 15th October when we will be able to knowledge that we are doing be free to develop independently. start transferring all the machinery something unique, with the aim of These are the components that, among and materials from our temporary carrying it out as efficiently as possible other things, define the look of the car premises, which are located opposite. and the desire to publicize it through to a large extent”. The inauguration is scheduled for 11th a new concept known in the English November, exactly a year after the speaking world as ‘edutainment’: a Customizing the bodywork is a great Groundbreaking ceremony”. mix between education and innovation. Are there any others? entertainment. The place will be called “Since we are committed to building Where will you be recruiting the “Dallara IndyCar Factory” . part of the IndyCar in the United personnel from? States, we have established a company “Mainly from America. We have Can you tell us a little more? What there that is capable of assembling the already identified the people who will does the Dallara IndyCar Factory cars, manufacturing some of the be responsible for administration, the aspire to be? components directly, buying, selling technical office, metal working, ““It aspires to be a lot of things. First and providing post-sales service and purchasing, warehousing, production of all, an interactive journey where

10 Engineer Andrea Pontremoli, right, signs the contract together with Randy Bernard, CEO of IndyCar

people can learn what it means to stimulating enthusiasm for tourism, and sharing our knowledge design and build vehicles that reach technology, innovation and and experience. The benefits of this speeds of nearly 400km/h, while engineering”. initiative will be felt by the enjoying themselves at the same time. A government, the public institutions, place where you can see cars being Will future visitors also be able to the local community and local assembled, and learn how they are enjoy additional services? industries, which will have the chance designed by touching, seeing and “Together with third parties, we are to develop new partnerships, exploit hearing them. looking into the idea of creating a this new “wave” of technological A stimulating place where you can set restaurant that would promote Italian know-how and discover new business up your own imaginary car and culture and cuisine, providing good opportunities”. simulate its performance using the quality food, a merchandising area Dallara Lap Time Simulation before and space for corporate events and Do you expect to involve the testing it on our simulators. It will also conferences and a Dallara museum academic sector too? be possible to test drive the cars using that recounts the history of our “In conjunction with two important the Indy Racing Experience program company, Engineer Dallara’s, past partners, the University of Indiana and our two-seaters”. projects and collaborations, our and the University of Bologna, we values and, above all, our people”. intend to establish an intensive new, In addition to the fun, is there a one year master degree course, scientific side to all this? A movement designed to create a specializing in motorsport, and with a “Certainly. The factory will offer positive synergy for the local basis in our knowledge and expertise people a truly exciting experience, but community and the stakeholders in manufacturing competition racing above all it will enable them to learn too? cars”. So many activities, so many new concepts and return home having “We want to help rebuild a great ambitious projects. All that remains is acquired a unique insight into racing culture, in a legendary place for us to wish Engineer Pontremoli competition racing cars and the like Indianapolis, and support and all the staff at Dallara all the associated engineering topics: the economic growth in the local area by very best in this new venture. basic principles of physics, the engine, creating new employment aerodynamics, design, carbon fiber opportunities, making new Alessandro Santini and vehicle dynamics. A new way of investments, helping to develop Francesco Ravanetti

11 FROM THE 52 YEAR OLD PIRRO TO THE 22 YEAR OLD RICCIARDO, DALLARA CONTINUES TO BE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE CAREERS OF MANY SUCCESSFUL DRIVERS. HERE’S HOW TWO DRIVERS FROM DIFFERENT PAST & PRESENT PAST GENERATIONS EVALUATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ITALIAN FACTORY IN THEIR CAREERS AND FOR THE PIRRO: DEVELOPMENT OF MOTORSPORT ALL OVER THE WORLD “I RACED FOR THE ENGINEER, NOW I WOULD LIKE MY SON TO WORK FOR HIM” “I never got the chance to drive a designing the cars, and whoever Dallara. Not least because Dallara Dallara during my time in F3 – dreams of driving them. Today, just has always developed its own recalls Pirro – But while I was racing like yesterday. “I read a few days engineers, rather than poaching from in F1 for Scuderia Italia, ago that the company most new others. In fact, I remember when I I established an excellent graduates would most like to work signed my contract with Scuderia relationship with the Engineer, based for in Italy is : it would be Italia, and went to visit the Dallara on mutual respect and friendship. I nice if a few more were to consider factory, I got into a technical ➔ mean, we’re fond of each other! But apart from that, I have always maintained that, while Dallara is highly thought of abroad, with the Pirro with F1 exception of the excellent results it BMS Dallara has achieved, Dallara does not receive the recognition it deserves in Italy. The Engineer has managed to make a virtue of that seriousness which, in the eyes of the rest of the world, is sometimes perceived as lacking in us Italians. He has also achieved this by collaborating with different manufacturers on the same project: something that can only succeed if you guarantee absolute honesty and professional efficiency. In Italy, we still fail to realize what Dallara has created”. Pirro believes that Dallara’s size, which enables it to be both intimate and familiar, and super- professional and globalized, is a very important “plus”, from the point of view of whoever dreams of

12 is one of the greatest Italian drivers of the last thirty years. As a test driver he helped to develop the F1 McLaren-, and as an official driver he has raced in the F1 Circus, first with Benetton Ford and then with BMS Dallara between the 80’s and ’90’s. He subsequently moved on to Touring cars where he had success in DTM, and he and his friend and rival Dindo Capello dominated the scene at le Mans in the Prototypes, winning this classic race on the Sarthe circuit five times in the . A successful Italian driver with the ability to compete in all categories and who, unsurprisingly, still has a special affection for the factory in Varano. A relationship that has crossed the generation gap.

13 conversation with a young lady during the Scuderia Italia years, industry as a whole. And a great who turned out to be the one day we may bump into a deal of this is thanks to the Engineer’s daughter, and Pirro junior around the benches Engineer”. According to Pirro, this responsible for aerodynamics". and test rooms at Varano. is in no small part due to his A company that has grown a “My son is just starting out as an ability to see the problem as a

PAST & PRESENT PAST little at a time, but has always engineer and I must admit I whole. “Nowadays there are had big ambitions: “Gian Paolo would be really pleased if he many young engineers who Dallara has never come under the went to work for Dallara. Gian handle various single aspects for spell of F1: he is aware that F1 Paolo knows my family well, I the company. Dallara continues can be a two-edged sword and have never mentioned my desire to work in silence, “low profile” as that it can easily ruin you, so he to my son as I want him to make they say abroad, but his opinion has always limited his his own career choices”. and his technical and common involvement to supplying his Maybe as part of Dallara’s new sense is invaluable to the new clients with chassis for their cars. American venture: “Yes, apart generations of engineers. I have never heard anyone say from anything else, he is studying The risk today lies in over- anything negative about Dallara, at university in England, so he specialization, and the loss of a either as a man or as a would feel at home there. overview of the complete project. professional. And believe me, Dallara’s move into the American It was Patrick Head during his there are not many people you market is just the latest time at Williams who had to give can say that about in this demonstration that, through no Adrian Newey, a genius who was business. I regard him as a friend, fault of Ferrari’s, there is little capable of coming up with and I think the feeling is mutual”. interest for anything beyond brilliant but unfeasible solutions, A bond that could bridge the Ferrari in the Italian motorsports a sense of proportion. In the generation gap, so to speak. If scene. Dallara is something to be same way, Gian Paolo Dallara Pirro was welcomed to Dallara proud of, not only in the continues to be a reference point by the Engineer’s daughter motorsports sector, but for Italian for everyone”. Emanule Pirro crosses the finish line to win the Le Mans in 2002

14 RICCIARDO: “DRIVING A DALLARA: PURE EXCITEMENT” Daniel, what’s your opinion of minor formulas, very powerful high- car”. the Dallara, F.3 and WSR and extremely effective, it single seaters that you have reduces reaction times and Did it help you to make the driven during your career? forces you to adapt your style step up to driving a Formula 1 “They are the most exciting in hurry, teaching you the right car in any way? cars I have driven so far, with way to drive”. “If you think about it, the the exception of Formula 1. Formula 1 car I’ll be driving The Formula 3 is really great And the WSR Dallara? this season is partly a Dallara, fun to drive and provides “This car has been designed to since it is based on the 2010 drivers with the experience be similar to a Formula 1 car, chassis built by the Italian they need when they move and in a certain sense this has company, so you could say onto to the next categories”. been successful. It’s a very that, over the last few years, powerful single seater that can I’ve always driven their cars. What struck you the most be a little difficult to control at Formula 1 has a style that is about the Dallara F3 car? times so that you find yourself completely different from other was born in Perth, “The net advantage and the attempting to find the limit, cars, but when you’re Australia in 1989. This descendent superiority with respect to the but each time you get in one competing in the preliminary of immigrants from Messina other chassis manufacturers you find that you can push it a categories you learn how to in Italy will be driving the HRT in the Formula 1 was obvious from the start. It little more, in the knowledge drive, so, yes, it has been a championship this year has the best braking of all the that you are driving a reliable, great help to me”.

15 VARANO AUTODROME VARANO

“VARANO AND DALLARA: A FRIENDSHIP THAT WAS BORN ON A FOOTBALL PITCH AND GREW INTO A GREAT PARTNERSHIP” AN INTERVIEW WITH ALESSANDRO MEGGI, DIRECTOR OF THE VARANO AUTODROME: THE BIRTH OF THE FACTORY AND THE CIRCUIT FROM A COMMON DREAM, THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP. TODAY, THE CIRCUIT WHERE ALL F3 CARS FIRST SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY HOSTS A BRAND NEW INITIATIVE: FORMULA SAE, WITH A VIEW TO RE-ESTABLISHING ITSELF ON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR

16 How did the relationship between which means that I have a very close Dallara and the Riccardo Paletti bond with Engineer Dallara. I would circuit in Varano de’ Melegari come describe him as an enlightened into being? person who illuminates everything “The bond was formed many years around him. On a professional level ago. The circuit was created in 1969, there is a very good team spirit and rebuilt in its current form in between our two organizations. We 1972, and since then Engineer let them use the circuit when they Dallara has been involved in the need to carry out tests and whenever project, together with his father and we have important customers we mine, who were among the founders always take them on a tour of the of this structure. The circuit and Dallara factory, which never fails to Dallara Automobili have grown impress visitors. together, maintaining such a close Also, for a number of years, we have relationship that the company uses been hosting their annual company our circuit to test their new cars. The dinner in July, when we organize track has its limitations, there are kart racing for their employees”. no long straights or fast bends, but it’s a perfect circuit for a shake What is Formula SAE? down. The first time the “It’s an international competition Veyron and the KTM X-Bow ventured between universities, with technical, onto the track it was on our 2,360 sporting and economical regulations meter circuit, and over the years all that are designed to get the very best the cars that later went on to out of university students. It covers become the benchmark models in various aspects, not just how to the international Formula 3 market build a racing car but also team first saw the light of day here”. budget management. It has been held on our circuit for several years Two important figures in the now, and this year, at the beginning national motorsports scene just 700 of September, students from all over meters apart. How come you’re so the world will be competing under close together? the watchful gaze of such important “We were founded just before judges as Engineer Dallara, as well Dallara, I remember the Engineer’s as experts from Ferrari and Great first factory building, which was Britain”. behind my aunt’s house. The position is right at the edge of town How would you evaluate the status and symbolizes the close ties of your circuit at a national level? between ourselves, Dallara and the “We are a medium-small circuit. We local community. In 1969, four could realistically aspire to hosting friends decided to build a race track Italian national championships, but round a football pitch, one of whom certainly not the large-scale was Engineer Dallara. We’ve grown international events that are held at up a bit since then, but all the credit Monza and Imola. We lost our place is due to the stature of the men who on the Formula 3 calendar a few started it all”. years ago, and is essential that we start hosting those races again, What kind of relationship is there because, after all, this is the track between the Autodrome and those cars call home”. Dallara? “There’s a personal relationship, Antonio Caruccio

17 • Consultancies, design and production of racing cars and high performance road cars.

• Aerodynamics: wind tunnel and computational fl uid dynamics (CFD).

• Research & development: vehicle dynamics and driving simulator.

Dallara is a performance partner of www.dallara.it