Last week, Firestone returned to Richmond International Raceway for the second time this year to conduct tire testing. While a bit out of the ordinary to test twice within the span of months at the same facility, Firestone was searching for ways to improve upon the accident-marred mess of this past June’s SunTrust Indy Challenge.

  With IndyCar drivers Tony Kanaan, Oriol Servia and Graham Rahal on hand, Firestone searched for the right tire to improve traction on RIR’s ¾ mile oval.
  While some race fans may have been entertained by the June wreck-a-thon, Rahal said he believes the majority of fans were dissatisfied with the stop-and-go event. “I know people like crashes but not when there’s one every ten minutes.”

  However, unlike NASCAR’s problem with Goodyear tires throughout the season, Firestone’s tests were no the result of tire failure but rather a means to improve tires specifically to fit the Richmond track and create a better race.
  While some drivers complained about their tires in Richmond, Rahal who was one of the multitude of drivers taken out of the June race by a crash, did not attribute his accident to tires. “I couldn’t be anyone to say I had any trouble with the tires on restarts,” he said. “I know there was a lot of blame going on but at the end of the day I didn’t have an issue. My crash was more of a function of myself messing up rather than having any other issue.”

  Likewise, Servia said despite the disparaging remarks made by some drivers he enjoyed the race at RIR. “I thought it was a pretty good race,” he said. “Myself, I was busy the whole race. I was always attacking somebody or defending from somebody. It was actually some side to side racing, with a short oval like this one, in an open wheeled car, it’s not easy to see.”

  Even though Kanaan won the race in June and had no problem with his tires, he said the race could have been better, but the complaint by drivers was misplaced. “I think we’re drivers, we disagree about everything all the time,” he said. “We find something to blame. Obviously, always we’re going to ask for more power and we’re going to ask for more grip. So, we’re either going to complain about the engine or we’re going to complain about the tires.”

  All three drivers agreed that softer tires could improve the race at Richmond next year. “Firestone’s mentality is to make it better,” Kanaan said. “We’re here to make a better tire than what we have, try to make a better race…(Firestone’s) always had good tires here. They’re always looking for improvement, so that’s why we’re here.”

  Servia agreed. “The fact that Firestone is testing different compounds I think makes for a better race,” he said. “So far what I’ve tried I really liked. They didn’t tell us exactly what we’re trying or what model number, or if we have a say or not, but I’m definitely telling them what is my favorite.”

  By theory, the softer tires that Firestone tested should lead to better traction on the track and create a more stable and entertaining race. “Obviously we’d like to see more passing here,” Rahal said. “It would be great ultimately if we could have a two lane race track here where you could run side-by-side.”

  As part of the testing process the crews of Kanaan and Servia adjusted their cars to race conditions after practice laps to set up a control standard. Individual test tires were then replaced on the cars so they could be compared to the control set. “We’re really just changing tires and testing compounds and sidewalls and a bunch of secret stuff that I can’t tell you,” Kanaan said. “I would say I’m learning what kind of tire I can pick. If I pick the right one all of the other guys are going to thank me. If I pick the wrong one I’m going to get blamed so it’s a big responsibility.”

  Both drivers pointed out that such testing was physically demanding. “Let me tell you, when you get here and you start putting on new set after new set of tires, it’s really, really tough on the driver,” Servia said. “Every time you put on a new set of tires you really want to get the best out of the car.”

  Kanaan agreed. “It’s physically the most demanding track, especially on tire tests,” he said. “You come in and put new tires up…I probably done 20 new sets this morning, my neck will be sore tomorrow for sure.”

However the most difficult part of testing in Kanaan’s eyes is the inability to recreate race day conditions. “It’s very difficult to choose a tire because only God knows when we come back here what kind of weather we’re going to have here,” he said. 

IndyCar Notes

A new trend may be emerging

  After only one year on the NASCAR circuit, former Indy 500 winner and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti will return to open wheeled racing next year, driving the No. 10 Target Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

  Kanaan, who considers Franchitti his best friend, said his former teammate understands he made a bad decision jumping to NASCAR. “Dario felt he shouldn’t have gone there,” Kanaan said. “I think he figured out it wasn’t fun and he had an opportunity to come back.

  “Like I told Dario, I think he made the best choice,” Kanaan said. “I don’t think Dario is the type of guy who wanted to run in the back of the pack there.”

  According the Kanaan, Franchitti’s return from NASCAR is the start of a new trend for IndyCar. “It’s showing that we’re gaining strength,” Kanaan said. “We lost people. We’re getting people back and I think that’s the way it’s going to become. I don’t think you’re going to see a lot of guys try to make the switch because a lot of the guys who did, and even the guys who are currently there, are struggling to get a ride there and here I think there is a lot more opportunities.” 

  However, Kanaan did offer a bit of advice to Franchitti for his return. “I told him to get back in the workout room because he kind of put a couple of pounds on.”

I love the nightlife

  While the evening starting time of the IndyCar race at RIR may be dictated by television, driver Oriol Servia has his own reasons for enjoying them. “I’ve always liked the night races,” he said. “Maybe because I’m a Spaniard and waking up too early does not go too well with my way of living.”