Gator Motorsport opened in October as Indiana’s sole Lotus dealer. It’s owned by 41-year-old Young Kim, a first-generation Korean immigrant and Ball State University grad who fell in love with the British hand-built brand as a youngster growing up in Chicago.
Supplying engines for half the IndyCar field is more than Honda officials bargained for. Losing the Japanese auto maker as a partner would be a huge blow for the open-wheel series.
IndyCar has released Lotus from its contract, leaving Chevrolet and Honda as the only two engine suppliers for the upcoming season.
Group Lotus Plc is considering leaving the IndyCar Series as an engine supplier at the end of this season—its first as a part of a five-year deal it signed last year to supply turbo engines to IndyCar teams.
IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard is confident Lotus is in the series for the long haul. Many owners and drivers want Lotus out of the Indianapolis 500 field this May. One owner called the Lotus powered cars "disgusting." Others said they're flat-out dangerous.
After Dan Wheldon's death last season, few predicted the IndyCar Series would steer its new chassis and engine package into 2012 smoothly. But so far, the series has opened to mostly rave reviews. The series now faces its biggest test, and opportunity, at Indy.
The series' only woman owner, and one of its most popular people over the last decade, can't get anyone to sell her an engine to go racing. She has the money, a promising American driver, a new chassis and new shop. Yet she's still stalled.
Chevrolet and Lotus will join Honda this year as series engine suppliers. The series is rolling out a new chassis and engine formula for the first time since 2005.
IndyCar officials have reason to smile with recent developments. Series CEO Randy Bernard also has reason to be very concerned.
IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard, who took over the race, expects up to 70,000 fans and a sell-out of 121 luxury suites for season-ending event.
