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Indy Lights 2015 : Carlin Racing

26/10/2015

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When Carlin announced that they would be setting up operations in the US starting an Indy Lights team, the motor sport community took notice of a team which such a rich heritage of success throughout a number of junior and feeder series jumping to try the new IL15 car. It turned out to be a smart move as we caught up with drivers Ed Jones and Max Chilton to look back at the 2015 season.

Ed Jones

Races: 16/16
Wins: 3 (St Pete x 2, Long Beach)
Podiums: 7
Poles: 3
Points: 324
Championship: 3rd
​Twitter: @edjonesracing
Picture
Ed Jones (indylights.com)
How would you evaluate your first year of racing in America in Indy Lights?
I think my first year of racing in America has been a great success. Both myself and the team learning the new tracks and car made the challenge difficult but we certainly surprised a lot of people. I believe experience of the circuits in America has a much greater benefit than knowing the European tracks, purely because there is hardly any run off in America therefore you have to build up to the limit rather than going all out from the start like you do in Europe. You have to take a more measured approach all round, especially with the ovals which we got the hang of towards the end of the season.
Picture
Leading Jack Harvey into turn one at St Petersburg (indylights.com)
How did the car and series compare to your previous experiences moving up ladders in Formula Renault and Formula 3?
The car felt like the logical step from the previous series I have driven in. A good amount of power compared to grip. I feel the championship was very competitive at the front as all series are. I particularly enjoyed having the mix between street courses, ovals and road courses, it was really enjoyable having to change race by race.

Did you expect the season to start so well with three wins at St Petersburg and Long Beach?
Of course going into the season I was confident with our preparations and potential however you can never expect to have start like we did, it was the dream start.

You had the chance to run at circuits for the first time in your career, which of these stood out for you?
For me Long Beach was my favourite, the track is great to drive and atmosphere is amazing with so much history around the circuit. Plus I won there so that always helps!

In August you had the opportunity to test in Indycar at Sonoma with RLL, how did the test go for you and what are your thoughts on the car to drive?
The opportunity to test for RLL in Indycar took me by surprise when I got the call. After only racing in America for 4 months it was amazing to already have a chance at the pinnacle of the sport. I feel the test went extremely well and I tried to assist the team as much as I could. The Indycar itself was very impressive, most outstanding was the amount of aero and grip produced by the car in the high speed corners just on a complete different level to anything else I have ever driven.
Picture
Testing the #15 RLL at Sonoma (www.dubaiautodrome.com)
And finally, what have you taken from the 2015 season and what is your goal as we head into 2016?
This season I have learnt the fantastic opportunities racing in America provides and my potential to be in Indycar in the very near future. It really was a learning year for myself which I took full advantage of. Obviously it was a great shame to lose the championship right down to the last race but nevertheless we proved a lot. 2016 is still undecided for me as we look at our options and decide what the best move for my career is.

Ed Jones has since committed to a second season in Indy Lights with Carlin 


Max Chilton

Races: 13/16
Wins: 1 (Iowa)
Podiums: 6
Poles: 3
Points: 258
Championship: 5th
Twitter: @maxchilton
Picture
Max Chilton (indylights.com)
How would you evaluate your first year of racing in America in Indy Lights?
I would say that the team and myself have performed hugely well in our first season in the states. It's a small but competitive grid and made harder by the unfamiliar ovals. I was very happy to secure a win which was a surprise to me as because it came on an oval. I believe if I had contested the whole year then we would have had two cars in the title fight at the end.

The Iowa weekend was tough being a team mate of Jules Bianchi, I, as were many, of the opinion no one was going to get in the way of you winning that weekend, can you share some thoughts of the weekend bringing home your first victory in Indy Lights?
​Iowa was the most difficult and emotional weekend I have ever experienced in my career. I was on a mission that weekend and when I found out the news about Jules nothing was going to stop me. I couldn't help but let it out when I won and it was a pleasure to dedicate the win to such a talented driver who loved the sport
Picture
A win at Iowa on a tough weekend (indylights.com)
You had the chance to run at tracks for the first time in your career, which of these stood out for you?
I have experienced some fantastic circuits this year and have really enjoyed the difference between those that I am used to on the F1 calendar. The American road courses have a really pure feeling to them because there is grass, a white line and Tarmac so you get none of the modern elements which leads to a debate over track limits. My favourite I think has to be Barber Motorsports Park.

How about the competition in the series, as well as the fan interaction and experience compared to that of F1 and their feeder series?
The championship is very competitive yet a small field. The series is very well supported by Indy Car and is helped by being on the same event as them at the majority of rounds. I really admire the Road to Indy scheme that they run and it has a really clear road to the top. The fans have been amazing as well and the support I’ve received has been really great and really appreciated – it’s another thing that the championship seem to do very well.

This year you also had commitments to Nissan in WEC, but looking to 2016 do you still see yourself competing in single-seaters be that in Indy Lights or in Indycar?
I haven't yet made any decisions on my 2016 plans but I’m looking at my options at the moment.
Picture
Victory lane at Iowa Speedway (indylights.com)


Carlin Racing
Website - carlin.co.uk
Twitter - @CarlinRacing
Facebook - Carlin
Instagram - CarlinRacing
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A to Z of Indycar 2015 (U to Z)

7/10/2015

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The final part of our end of season look back at all the important and sort of important and sometimes letter fillers brings us to the most awkward part, U to Z... thanks alphabet! On the plus side we are now five weeks closer to the start of the 2016 season! Jason and Adrian round of the year with ...

U - Until Next Time 

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Juan Pablo Montoya's victory at this years Indy 500 set a new record for the gap in years between Indy 500 wins, 15 years. the previous record was held by AJ Foyt between 1967 and 1977.

V - Vacancy

Picture"..........NEXT!?"
​Another Indycar offseason and another Indycar boss falls by the wayside. Derrick Walker joins Randy Bernard, Tony George and 3 Million other men who tried to right the good ship Indycar for a while only to realise life is too short and that there is probably other things they could be doing. Unlike the others, DW walked rather than being pushed but the writing was probably on the wall for him. In his time as Indycar President, Walker brought a no nonsense approach and respect to the position. Right now, Mark Miles seems content to take on more responsibility regarding the day to day running of Indycar. Maybe he realises that this is one vacancy that could be tough to fill.

W - Wednesday

Picture(walesonline.co.uk)
Why hump day? Well Wednesday this season became the day of the naughty step in the Indycar series. We awaited with baited breathe to see who was penalised, why (running over equipment), how much ($500) and how landed themselves on probation, again... For me, at least race control were consistent on this!

X - X Factor

Picture
The much famed pink Karamo (twitter.com)
People say Indycar need that bright young American star, love him or hate him, Sage Karam has definitely brought something new to the table. When people start to say that maybe you're the next Paul Tracy, it implies that you are an aggressive, hard charger without fear and fuelled by a instinctual desire to win... it also implies that you're prone to silly moves, take unnecessary risks and that you piss off just about everyone else on track. So yeah, saying that Sage Karam is maybe the next Paul Tracy sums up his 2015 season perfectly. At times brilliant, at times boneheaded, this past year was one that Sage Karam stamped his name all over, and showed that if given a full time ride for the future, he could do something else Paul Tracy did and that's win a championship.

Y - You've Got a Friend in Me

Picture
(indystar.com)
Tragedy struck this year, we lost a great racer, we lost a great man. But in sadness we have seen the strength, support and community spirit rally around Julia, Jess, Jane, Stefan and their extended family. We have had celebrations of Justin's life on both sides of the Atlantic, tears were shed, laughter was shared. Graham Rahal has once again stepped up and led an auction of memorabilia from across all forms of motorsport, sports and entertainment to raise money to benefit the children to look after their future. The latest auction items can be found here. Just from a personal viewpoint, having attended the funeral and following reception, there can be little doubt that there are some truly awesome people with the Indycar community who have stepped up in a number of ways.

Z - Zeal

Zeal is described as being passionate and enthusiastic about something and nowhere is that more evident than on the NBCSN broadcast Team for their Indycar races. While Alan Bestwick does his best to get Eddie Cheever and Scott Goodyear to show some sort of emotion on ABC, the former racers spend the majority of the races they cover acting like an old maried couple who stopped being excited about anything about 30 years ago. Meanwhile over on NBCSN, Leigh Diffy, Townsend Bell, Paul Tracy, Robin Miller and the rest of the the team crack some jokes, give great insight and generally seem to enjoy covering the races. Believe me, this enthusiasm goes a long way to selling the product to new fans and in an ideal world, the NBCSN crew would cover all races. Here is some of the finest Matchettising of commentary, enjoy the Barber race from earlier this year!

We hope you have enjoyed our look back at some of the irreverent and sometimes key moments of the 2015 Indycar season, earlier posts can be found below -

Part One - A to E 
Part Two - F to J
Part Three - K to O
Part Four - P to T 

Z - Zeal

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