Nr. 22 Anno 2012 MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY DALLARA "Periodico regolarmente registrato presso il Tribunale di Parma (n.16, GP303/09/2010)" AN INTERVIEW WITH VICKY PIRIA, THE YOUNG DRIVER FROM PERUGIA WHO THIS YEAR BECAME THE FIRST FEMALE COMPETITOR IN THIS CATEGORY. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING HER FINAL EXAMS AT SENIOR SCHOOL, THE NEW DALLARA REPRESENTS A NEW CHALLENGE ON HER ROAD TO A CAREER AT THE TOP NEW MARKETS INDIA, CHINA, THE PERSIAN GULF: JOS CLAES EXPLAINS THE DIFFERING NEEDS AND THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD FOR DALLARA FORMULINO IN TOMORROW’S MARKETS: «INDIAN MOTORSPORTS ARE COMING ON IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS; CHINA WILL FOLLOW» INDIANAPOLIS A MONTH AT THE SPEEDWAY. ENGINEER MONTANARI RELIVES THE THRILL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS AND RACE DAY AT THIS YEAR’S 500 MILES, WHERE DALLARA CONTINUED TO CEMENT A PLACE IN THE HEARTS OF AMERICAN RACING FANS, THANKS ALSO TO THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW INTERACTIVE MUSEUM INDIANAPOLIS A MONTH LONG DREAM 2 ENGINEER MONTANARI, THE DALLARA INDYCAR PROJECT MANAGER, DESCRIBES THE EMOTIONS, BEHIND THE SCENES ACTIVITIES AND COMMITMENT INVOLVED IN PREPARING FOR THE MOST FAMOUS RACE IN THE WORLD. THE THRILL OF THE QUALIFYING COMPETITION AND THE SPECTACLE OF THE FANS CONFIRM THE MAGIC OF THE SPEEDWAY. AND THE POPULARITY OF THE ITALIAN FACTORY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC 3 INDIANAPOLIS Engineer Montanari, can you tell us From early morning, until the evening completed trip round the world, at the about your experience in when the shutters come down on the rate of 2000 laps a day, without so Indianapolis? Let’s start with the garages. Dallara has an office inside much as a problem! All things reason for your visit… the speedway, and this was our base considered, apart from the tension it “Dallara strives to provide its customers camp. You have to monitor the tests in was a very peaceful experience”. with all the technical assistance the pit-lane, keep an eye on the pits to possible, whether it be "in house" or make sure that there are no problems What strikes makes the biggest trackside, in fact we are in daily there, and all the while people impression on the spectators/fans contact with Indycar and the teams approach you for explanations, advice when they arrive at Indy? and always ready to resolve and or opinions. There’s also at least one “The grandeur of the event. Indy is respond to every type of problem and meeting to attend with Indycar every “The” race. When you arrive in request. This is the reason: to be day to ensure that everything is Indianapolis you see posters that say: present in person in order to respond as progressing well. The large number of "More than a day in May". It’s not just rapidly as possibly whenever an issue new features we introduced on this the race day, but a whole month of arises”. model meant that we were on events, shows, and tests in preparation tenterhooks, with our fingers crossed a for the 27th. The fans’ party lasts the Can you describe a typical day at Indy? lot of the time; that was until we whole month, building up to the day of “The whole day is spent on the track. realised we had already more than the race. Tents, caravans, motor-homes, 4 “The fans’ party lasts the whole month, building up to the day of the race. Tents, caravans, motor-homes, camped all around the circuit, and in the gardens that the local residents open up for the fans. Everyone with their barbeques lit as they wait for the gates to open at 4 in the morning” camped all around the circuit, and in exhibition and interactive section at our celebrate their armed forces and the gardens that the local residents Technological Center in Main Street, a remember their war dead”. open up for the fans. Everyone with short walk away from the Speedway. We What was the most entertaining part of their barbeques lit as they wait for the strongly advise anyone who finds your trip, and what was the most gates to open at 4 in the morning. Race themselves in that part of the world to difficult aspect? day is impossible to describe: 450.000 pay us a visit, it contains the entire “Despite the length of the trip - the people, and when you reach the pit history of Dallara. It even impressed us, event lasts for the whole month of May lane before the start you are literally and we work here!”. - we didn’t have much time for fun. The surrounded by the crowds”. most exciting part was the day of the How does Indy differ from the other race, leading up to the start. Walking What are the places that you races in the IndyCar championship? between all the cars on the grid and absolutely must see? “Indy is “The” race, it embodies thinking about all the work, sweat and “First of all the Speedway museum, it’s American motorsports. They’ve been effort we’d put into it. But what a incredible. You can admire all the cars racing here since 1911. Everything is feeling of satisfaction too! The most that have made history at Indianapolis spectacular here. As I said before, it’s difficult part for us was handling the from 1911 to the present day. Also, to much more than just a race! In addition pressure throughout the test and coincide with the 2012 edition of the to the indycars, the date coincides with qualification periods and on the day of 500 Miles, we finally inaugurated the Memorial Day when the Americans the race itself”. 5 INDIANAPOLIS What’s the difference between American sometimes find drivers taking part in the since 1997, and a lot has happened over and European races? race who haven’t taken part in this period. The results speak for “The atmosphere, without a doubt. You qualification….. it’s a far cry from our themselves, and the Dallara name is well- feel so much more involved, the fans are standards! There’s a fixed number of 33 known in the USA. There’s a great deal of not just figures on the stands, but part of cars on the starting grid, which results in respect, and I think this extends to our the show. Open garages, cars always out the drama of the qualifications and constant commitment to making the cars, on the track, drivers who are happy to “bump day” when drivers may find and hence the races, as safe as possible. autograph caps and t-shirts when the themselves excluded from the starting The IR12 was designed by taking the best fans ask them. It’s a completely different line-up. To get the most out of the of both the European and American safety philosophy”. experience I would suggest you make sure standards and introducing innovative new you have a good knowledge of the rules elements. Initially, the fans seemed a little Qualification and race day: as an before you arrive. As to the race, I suggest uncertain about the new shape, but now “insider” can you give us an some advice you just sit back and enjoy two and half they appear to have taken to it”. on how best to appreciate what’s going hours of pure speed”. on on those days? What impact does the 500 Miles have on “The qualifications are really In your opinion, what is the image that the American media? complicated! Not least because it’s the American race fans have of Dallara? “It is held simultaneously with Memorial car that qualifies, not the driver, you “Dallara has been involved in Indycar Day, as I mentioned earlier. Also, the 6 Dallara must do what it has always done; and the USA is no exception. Our motto is “The Pursuit of Excellence" and the process is infinite. Safety, cost containment, flexibility, performance research and honesty have always been our strong points, and are the reasons we are where we are today Coca Cola 600 is held in Charlotte on the same day, and for the same reason. There is a national aspect, but there’s also a local impact for the State of Indiana”. In your opinion, what should Dallara’s next steps be in order to consolidate what is already a highly prestigious position in the United States? “Dallara must do what it has always done; and the USA is no exception. Our motto is “The Pursuit of Excellence" and the process is infinite. Safety, cost containment, flexibility, performance research and honesty have always been our strong points, and are the reasons we are where we are today”. Photo Ravanetti 7 “EDUTAINMENT” INDIANAPOLIS IS THE NEW FRO 8 ” NTIER 9 INDIANAPOLIS Engineer Vecchi, can you explain how the How were the activities divided between introducing them to the various technical idea for the Dallara interactive center at your partners at Indy Racing Experience, concepts in what we hope will be both an Indianapolis was born? Dallara personnel in America and those in entertaining and stimulating environment. "Essentially, the idea was the fruit of an Italy? Finally, in the evenings we plan to hold a agreement between the state of Indiana, "The initial concept is the result of a study series of “corporate” events to tie in with the in the person of the governor Mitch Daniels, carried out by Engineer Pontremoli, Scott Indianapolis trade fair". and Dallara, represented by our CEO Jasek and myself. The content was developed Andrea Pontremoli, to go beyond entirely at Dallara by specialists in the What type of support did you receive from introducing a company like Dallara, by various areas (aerodynamics, vehicle the governor of Indiana and what are the creating an initiative designed to generate dynamics and composites).