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Bridgestone Motorsports set for success at Indy 500

By Charles Rahrig V

May 25, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Ryan Hunter-Reay during the 2014 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Ryan Hunter-Reay during the 2014 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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When the Indy 500 begins, the Firestone Firehawks will be burning down the track as drivers look to achieve racing glory.

It’s 5 a.m. in the morning and it’s the calm before the storm as Dale Harrigle walks the straightaway at the Indianapolis 50o in the dark, as he has done for the past 21 years. For Harrigle, the chief engineer of Bridgestone Motorsports, this is one of the most important weeks of the year as the spectacle that is the Indianapolis 500 unfolds.

Every year when the drivers take the track to race for glory, it is the Firestone Firehawk tires that they depend on to get them around the track. For Bridgestone, ensuring the latest tire technology and absolute top of the line performance is a must.

This year tire development is a must as Bridgestone had to be ready to accommodate the new aero kits. They worked closely with Honda, Chevrolet and Indy Car throughout the process to make sure that the tires were capable of handling the new kits.

“We tested here at Indianapolis in September.” Harrigle said, “When we tested here we actually ran the engines at higher boosts so we could run the current car at that point a bit faster.”

Overall, Harrigle and Bridgestone were pleased with the tires that were developed and the new changes they made this season.

“We made some changes to the right side tires to make them a bit cooler running because of the increased speeds.” Harrigle said while discussing the new changes to the tires. “Those changes took a little bit of grip away so we made some changes to the left side of the car to add some grip back.”

Not only is providing the best technology available to drivers with their tires the main goal, so is ensuring the safety of drivers out on the track.

The past couple of weeks have seen multiple drivers involved in scary incidents on the track, including James Hinchcliffe, who had a piece of his suspension pierce his upper thigh. He was rushed to a hospital and fortunately the doctors were able to get to him quickly after the blood loss.

For Bridgestone and many manufacturers, safety and an enjoyable track experience is of the highest importance. At the same time, Harrigle understands it’s a dangerous sport.

“The Indy Car series is a big family, and obviously we don’t want to see any driver get injured.” Harrigle said. “I think Tony Kanaan said it best when he basically said: racing is dangerous. The drivers are pushing the cars and machines to the limit.”

While Bridgestone is eagerly anticipating to see how the tires perform this year, it won’t be long until they are beginning to test out new technologies next season.

“Shortly after the race tomorrow, we will begin laying out a test plan for what we want to improve upon for 2016.” Harrigle said, discussing the next phase of tire development. “I believe we will be back at the speedway in August, testing in preparation for the 2016 Indy 500.”

Sunday, when the 33 drivers take the track looking to win the Indianapolis 500, they will do so riding on the brand new Firestone Firehawks. While one driver will achieve glory with the new technology, the Bridgestone Motorsports group will already be at work laying out a plan for success again next season.

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