Structural integrity

A closer look at the carbon fibre frame that underpins the IndyCar Aeroscreen

- CRAIG MCCARTHY

The innovative Aeroscreen that was designed and developed to campaign in the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series has, by all accounts, been a success, garnering positive reviews from drivers, officials and fans alike. The system of components that make up the Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT)-designed Aeroscreen comprises a 3D printed titanium upper frame, laminated polycarbonate windscreen and a structural carbon fibre lower frame. Combined, these are designed to provide driver protection from the wide range of (potential) projectiles associated with American-style open-wheel racing on a variety of tracks, including superspeedways where debris fields can be rather large.

As the frame and polycarbonate transparency are the most visible change to the 2020 IndyCar, it is easy to overlook the lower frame assembly that serves as the foundation of the entire system, but this hidden structure has played a key role in the success of the Aeroscreen.

One of the biggest obstacles RBAT faced in the initial design stages of the Aeroscreen was how best to integrate the structure with the existing Dallara DW12 IndyCar chassis that has been the mainstay of competition since the 2012 racing season. Over the last eight years, the DW12 chassis has been modified several times to mate with ever-changing bodywork and to bolster mechanical performance, as well as to accept other safety innovations.