Dixon peers through IndyCar's aeroscreen

Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon got his first highpseed glance at IndyCar's new safety aeroscreen yesterday in testing.

Made of a proprietary material by PPG, the screen is derived from a fighter jet canopy. Dixon put the device to test at Phoenix and reported back with a satisfactory assessment overall.

"It’s a little bit different looking through something that’s so thick, but I thought it would be worse with distortion but there was nothing like that," said the Kiwi.

"We’ll run it a little bit later to see what it’s like as the sun is setting, and then again at night."

While the component appeared to reduce buffeting in the cockpit, Dixon noted it also impacted cooling around the driver's compartment.

"The weirdest thing is how quiet it is. You have no buffeting, the car feels very smooth, it feels like you’re in a luxury well-damped car.

"But cooling! We need some cooling, just because you get no airflow through the car. Kudos to [IndyCar and PPG], but there’s definitely things that we can improve on and make better."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.