Meet the Blackbird 66 Mk.1 – a radical vision from former IndyCar driver JR Hildebrand that dares to imagine what open-wheel racing could be if freed from convention.
Inspired by the great Dan Gurney’s spirit of innovation, Hildebrand’s concept throws away the rulebook – and the wings. The Blackbird is completely wingless, relying instead on mechanical grip, fat tyres, and raw power to deliver its speed.
The result? A machine that promises less perfection through downforce and more drama through movement – faster in a straight line, wilder through corners, and far more visceral to watch.
At its most extreme, the Mk.1 would pack a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V10 producing up to 1,250 horsepower, driving primarily the rear wheels – though Hildebrand envisions an all-wheel-drive version, too.
The car’s light weight, broad tyres, and emphasis on driver control could bring back the kind of racing fans crave: unpredictable, physical, and human.
For now, the Blackbird 66 Mk.1 is just an idea – but it’s a provocative one at that. Hildebrand hopes to build a working prototype, challenging both IndyCar and Formula 1 to think bolder. As he puts it, this isn’t just a design; it’s a call to arms for racing’s next revolution.
