• That the 3.5-liter, ethanol-powered engines of IndyCar Series cars produce more than 650 horsepower, nearly four times that of the average street car?
• That each of the eight pistons in an IndyCar Series engine travels nearly 1 mile up and down in the cylinder every minute?
• That an IndyCar Series car accelerates from 0 to 100 mph in less than three seconds, more than nine seconds quicker than it takes a production Porsche 911 Turbo street car to reach the same speed?
• That a 1,530-pound IndyCar Series cars generates 5,000 pounds of downforce at 220 mph, enough to allow the car to run upside down if that speed is maintained?
• That at speeds of 220 mph, the front tires of an IndyCar Series car rotate at a rate of 43 times per second. That means, over the course of a single lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the front tire will experience about 1,955 revolutions, and the rear tires will experience 1,800 revolutions. Considering a normal fuel stint is 30 laps or more at Indy, each tire could experience more than 60,000 revolutions before it is changed for a fresh set.
• That the draft (or the “hole” in the air) created by an IndyCar Series car extends 25 feet behind the car?
• That we do not buy our tires, we lease them. Right hand tires say “Firestone in Red, while left-handers are printed in White. We use pure nitrogen to inflate the tires – can you guess why?
• That while traveling about 220 mph, IndyCar Series cars travel slightly more than the length of a football field every second?
• We put wet towels on the side pods when the car pits to keep from burning the paint off of the carbon fiber because the exhaust headers get to over 1500 degrees
• The Indy 500 is the largest attended sporting event in the world with over 500,000 people attending in 2007
• A baker who went to the 500 was awed by the traditional releasing of thousands of balloons right before the race and he named his bread after this wondrous event. Today, “Wonder Bread” still features these balloons on the package.
• IndyCar is the fastest growing sport in the US, with 9% growth. NASCAR, NFL and the PGA are 1%, for example.
• We are extremely conscious of safety and the environment. We are the only racing venue to use Ethanol as fuel, which is a renewable resource. We have pioneered the use of the SAFER barrier to protect drivers and fans in the event of an accident and we recycle all fluids and shop consumables.
• In a sport traditionally dominated by men, we encourage participation by women. Danika Patrick, for example is a highly recognizable, high-profile driver in the series, one of three females driving IndyCars last season.
• IndyCar has a projected fan base of 40 million in 2008. The demographics show higher than average income, education levels and brand loyalty. For example, IndyCar fans are nearly three times as likely to try a new product.
• The IndyCar race series is a “clutter-free” environment where brands, consumers and emotions converge.
• IndyCar focuses on accessibility for the fans. Advertising and sales points include Garages, Pits, Simulators, Car rides and Drivers.