Great article Stef. I for one, am shocked to learn there is no tether on the Indy Car's nosecone. Especially considering the heavy ballast that they are reported to hold. That was one of the first things that came to mind.

Furthermore, they worried about objects deflecting off the canopies and into spectator areas given the way the tire bounced off of the jet fighter canopy.

There is no debate. They have to close the cockpit. Arguing that it should stay open is the same as arguing that NASCAR drivers should have to race with open face helmets and no HANS device. It’s pure insanity. Auto racing is no longer the gruesome gladiator sport it used to be. We expect our heros to battle tire and…

Well-written, balanced perspective on this topic. I would consider myself a “purist”...but not on this topic; I’m all for closed-cockpits if research indicates that they will increase driver safety.

Yeah, cause the old designs were safer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_C…

Mine’s a 2007. It has the 2.5, but the TD04 tune didn’t have the open-loop/closed-loop crossover that caused the stock VF cars (08+ STIs and 10+ WRXs) to go lean...now, the TD04 tended to blow up under higher-than-stock boost pressures, but when mine started to I caught it early enough to drive the car to my tuner and…

The turbo EJs haven’t really had a problem with head gaskets, mine included. The car has 155,000+ miles on it, and only thing I’ve had to do besides maintenance was replace a failed turbo around 110k, replace a blown strut, and do a few bits of “mod maintenance” which I won’t count against the car. My tuner has told…

It certainly is, and the better gas mileage and refinement keeps it on my list. That said, I have 25,000 miles until my WRX wagon needs its third timing belt, so I’m not in a rush to upgrade if the car I truly want doesn’t exist yet.

I’m tired of the same lazy -ass excuses for not putting canopies on these cars. Fire Suppression systems exists in every other type of auto racing. They are top notch and completely extinguish any fires in the cockpits. When was the last time a driver burned to death in a major touring racing series?

So sad. He was a great driver and a real gentleman too. Sad to see this life cut so short like that.

This is the point where if anyone starts running their mouth about how racing is dangerous and these guys accept the risks needs the understand that racing isn’t a suicide match and we owe all drivers that have ever been killed better protection. This needs to stop. Death in motorsport needs to perish.

To borrow a phrase from JW’s home county. I am utterly gobsmacked that people are on here giving Tony Stewart shit.

But this is indycar we are talking about, they have more than enough money to pay for two different flights.

Anyone else think its pretty shitty that Indycar couldn’t get his family there on their own?

If retaining value is your priority, don’t get the STi, they have an old engine design with known piston ring issues and its replacement is imminent. Plus the 0-60 is the same with the WRX. Seriously ask yourself if you will track your car, because if you won’t, the WRX is absolutely the correct choice. Including…

it doesn’t even need to be a full canopy.
a curved canopy acting as a windshield that comes level with the top of the helmet would have prevented this from happening. it could be open at the top to allow for easy entry and egress. doesnt need to be fully enclosed, just as long as the top of the canopy/windshield…

Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest is one of the top trauma hospitals in Pennsylvania. They helped Bobby Allison recover from his head injuries at Pocono in 1988. That helicopter is one of Lehigh Valley Hospitals own. He is being given the best chances possible in his time of need.

I just want the damn windows to be a little bigger. Just enough for me to stick my head out and not have to worry about getting stuck trying to pull it back in. Am I insane? Am I unreasonable?

Optioned into the 40’s and starting in the 40’s makes is a big difference. Again your just looking at MSRP. I'm talking about real world, on the lot costs. So yes I'm passing it up because when it comes down to it, that 200 lbs and all the other few standard features isn't worth it to me.

And it’s a GM vehicle, so down the appreciation curve we go!