Q&A: Bobby Rahal, Team Owner, Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) Racing

Bobby Rahal has been on the IndyCar scene for nearly 40 years. Not only has he won the Indy 500 as well as three Championships, but he was also interim president of CART and has been a team boss since 1992. Currently, he owns Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) together with David Letterman and Mike Lanigan.

Ahead of the Portland round of IndyCar, which Bobby won back in 1987, Racecar interviewed him to hear his thoughts on the series and how it could be improved.

When was IndyCar at its best?

‘I think around 2001, and into 2002, that was the height.

How do you think the series is doing at the moment?

‘I think it’s doing pretty well. At Mid Ohio I think it was the largest crowd they ever had, it was a tremendous number of people. The racing’s always been super competitive, so that’s never been an issue. But I think it seems to be on a very positive slope now, we’ve got really good people behind the series, Mark Miles [CEO] and Jay Frye [president of competition and operations] in particular, and good support from the manufacturers and sponsors, so I think it’s in pretty good shape.’

What do you think of this year’s new universal body kit?

‘It’s like anything, it probably has some shortcomings here and there but it’s very good in other areas. Clearly the cars are much faster in a straight line, with less drag than they used to have, maybe a little less downforce as a result, but at places like Elkhart Lake the lap times are quite comparable. I think it will always be a little bit of a work in progress but I would think that overall everybody’s quite pleased with it. They look like proper racing cars again and I think the fans like it. It’s still tough to pass, the wash, the disturbance from the car ahead is still a bit of an issue, but I think it’s a work in progress and I’m sure there will be minor changes for next year.’

In terms of the chassis, IndyCar is very much a spec formula. Do you think this allows enough engineering freedom?

‘The teams are able to do more today than they were a year ago, or two years ago, and there’s going to be a continual [freeing up] of certain components. The dampers and ride control are still free, and that I think is the big differentiator between the teams now.

‘It’s kind of an engine formula now, like it once was, but clearly the ability to develop and build your own dampers and your own ride control, that’s a big thing, and what development money there is is mostly spent on this. On the aero side you have what you have, it’s just a matter of understanding it, but on the seven post rigs and things like that, that’s where you see the investment going, and increasingly you’re seeing more and more money on simulation, that the teams are doing or the manufacturers are doing.’

Do you think IndyCar needs another engine manufacturer?

‘Well I think it’s important for the series. The more manufacturers the better, it creates more awareness of the series, it creates more opportunities for the teams, it’s more advertising for the series … a third manufacturer would improve it. There are rumours that a third one is close to making an announcement. The rumours are Alfa Romeo; you also hear of Korean company, Kia, who are getting more and more into the high performance side in their product line.’

What would you like to see from the new chassis that will be introduced in 2021?

‘The current gearbox is kind of a throwback, and to be honest it’s not a very nice piece. I would also like to see some weight out of the car as right now the cars weigh around 1500lb [680kg]. Some of that is because of the safety aspects for sure, but I think there are areas where the weight could be lessened and certainly I think the gearbox would be the most obvious piece to change right now.’

What do you think of the IndyCar screen compared to the F1 Halo?

‘I think it’s a good thing. Graham [Rahal, Bobby’s son and an RLL driver] once told me that a mirror came off the car in front of him and went right by his head and then it bent the rear suspension. So, especially when you’re talking 230mph, I think it’s definitely needed. I certainly like the windscreen that IndyCar is developing versus the Halo, I know they’re tweaking that now, but clearly it’s going to happen.’

Do you think the IndyCar calendar should consist of more speedways?

‘The reality is that outside of Indianapolis the spectator turn out at the ovals is not very good. And the spectator turnout at the road courses and street circuits is quite good. If I look at it from a very commercial standpoint I want our team performing in front of the most people every weekend, because that’s how I generate value for my sponsors.’

RLL recently became the first team to sign up for the Jaguar I-PACE E-Trophy, which will support Formula E. What are your thoughts on electric racing and what is the future for RLL?

‘I think the whole electric world is interesting, it’s new, and it’s not going away, so we might as well get in on the ground floor and see where we go.

‘I would certainly like to see us involved in prototype racing and go to Le Mans. That’s something that’s very attractive to me.’