Push to pass will return to the IZOD IndyCar Series for the five remaining road/street course events on the 2012 schedule, beginning with the Honda Indy Toronto on July 6-8.
The overtake assist feature, introduced to the series in 2009, allows a driver to add turbocharger boost and additional RPMs with the press of a button on the steering wheel to complete a pass.
"It will be similar to what it was in the past because we know that model worked," INDYCAR vice president of technology Will Phillips said.
The additional boost is added for a pre-determined amount of time, which will be set by INDYCAR depending on the circuit. The sanctioning body will also determine the total amount of time available, recharge time and any delay in the system prior to each activation, though the engine manufacturers may adjust the settings below the requirements to optimize their engine's performance.
Push to pass will not engage until a certain throttle position is reached and will disengage if the driver lifts or presses the button again.
As part of the introduction of push-to-pass, the base turbocharger boost level will decrease to 150 kPa. When the system is engaged, the boost increases to 160 kPa on the 2.2-liter V6 engines supplied by Chevrolet, Honda and Lotus.
Teams will have the opportunity to test the system during the event weekend on the streets of Exhibition Place before the Honda Indy Toronto.
Franchitti nominated for ESPY
Four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti has been nominated for an ESPY Award in the "Best Driver" category. The event celebrates the best sports moments of the year.
The 20th ESPYs will be broadcast live July 11 (9 p.m. ET on ESPN) from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles with host Rob Riggle. Fans will have the chance to select the winners by voting online or by mobile device at ESPN.com/ESPYS.
On May 27, Franchitti became the sixth driver to win the Indianapolis 500 for a third time. In 2011, the Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver earned his third consecutive IZOD IndyCar Series championship and fourth overall.
The ESPYs and related events benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research in memory of the late Jim Valvano.
Webb to participate at Goodwood
Oliver Webb will take advantage of the off weekend to participate in the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.
The Sam Schmidt Motorsports driver will race the BAC Mono, a lightweight, high-performance, street-legal single-seat supercar, up the hill during the famed event, the largest car culture event in the world.
“Very very excited to race the @DiscoverMono up the Famous hill of @fosgoodwood this weekend!” the 21-year-old Englishman tweeted.
Webb, who is seventh in Firestone Indy Lights points, has been a test driver for the Mono, which made its public debut at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Breeden joins INDYCAR
Matt Breeden has joined INDYCAR as Vice President of Business Affairs. Breeden will help lead development of strategic and business plans for the sanctioning body as well as oversee and monitor sanction agreements and contracts between INDYCAR and its partners.
Breeden, who joined INDYCAR from private practice, was vice president and general counsel for the Champ Car World Series. He managed all legal affairs for Champ Car, as well as the Toyota Atlantic Series, Trans-Am Series and certain other affiliated entities. He also served as counsel during the unification of open-wheel racing under the INDYCAR banner.