Question: Ryan is going to drive the No. 37 Izod‑sponsored car for Andretti Autosport in 2010 after splitting 2009 between Vision Racing and AJ Foyt Racing. Ryan, talk about the change to Andretti Autosport. This is the first opportunity you’ve had with a team of this caliber.
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: It’s an amazing opportunity. I have everybody at Andretti and Izod to thank for it. We’ve already got to work. The atmosphere on the team is unreal. I mean, they’re really pushing to get back to form to where they were winning races constantly. That’s what matters most.
It’s been an easy transition. We’re working really well together. I’m really looking forward to having three other teammates, too.
Question: You mentioned some of that pre‑season testing you’ve done with the team. You have to be chomping at the bit to get to next week, can’t come soon enough for you.
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: Oh, yeah, for sure. The Barber test is something I’ve been really looking forward to. I haven’t been to that track yet. I wasn’t able to make that test last year because of my ride coming together late with Vision. I’ve looked at it on videos, seen it on TV, I’ve done some iRacing with it.
I can’t wait to get there and get on track and see where we are stacked up against everybody else. Most importantly get to work with the team, with everybody being there, all three teammates on track at the same time.
Question: You mentioned having not been to Barber and the iRacing. What do you do to prepare yourself for a place you’ve never been to? I know the iRacing has to be pretty accurate, but do you talk to your teammates and things like that?
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: Oh, yeah, for sure, I talk to them. It’s definitely very useful when you have in‑car cameras to look at from the past. That’s the number one thing I always look at, regardless of which track I’m going to. I go over video from previous years, kind of study it.
I did the iRacing thing, something that just came up recently. The team has it. I was in Indy last week. I just gave it a shot. Yeah, it was extremely useful.
You know, a track that I hadn’t been to. Yeah, it was pretty cool.
Question: Ryan, of the four designs that have been released for the new chassis to come out in a couple years, obviously the most radical redesign of those would be the delta wing concept. Have you seen that and what do you think of that concept?
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: Well, I mean, I really haven’t put a whole lot of thought into it. We’ve been so busy gearing up for this test. I’ve been traveling all over the place. I’ve looked at the designs here and there.
But, you know, what I’ve heard technologically about the delta wing car is intriguing, very cool. What they’ve done to go in that direction, you know, cutting edge, is very interesting to me. I’d have to take a closer look at it. I have haven’t really taken it all in yet.
But the other concepts Dallara, Swift and Lola have come up with are very good‑looking cars as well. I definitely have to put a little more thought into it. I wish I had a better answer for you than that. But some of the key items that the delta wing brings to the table is definitely something we need to keep in mind, look at for the future.
Question: I’ve heard some commentary about it. Apparently some people like it, some people really hate it. The people who don’t like it call it things like the Bat Mobile, a tricycle. Are you worried it’s so radical of a design that it might not go over well with fans?
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: Well, that’s the thing, you always have to balance that fine line. I mean, for instance, you couldn’t take a football and go change it into a different shape ball and say it’s still football. It would change something.
So that’s the fine line we have to walk here. It’s definitely an entire series. It’s not just one group of people picking this car and heading off. I hope it’s a democratic process where everybody gets involved and we head in the right direction because this is a pivotal move for IndyCar, absolutely pivotal move heading into 2012 and beyond. It’s going to shape the face of our series. I hope we make the right choice.
There’s a few issues I see with it, you know, like, for instance, if it rains, the tires are right in front of you, right in front of your view, which would spray up into your face, into your helmet and everything else. There’s a couple other items.
But I’d really have to give it a fair shake, I’d have to look at it.
Question: You’ve kind of bounced around rides here the last couple years. How does it feel to finally get one secured down with Andretti Autosports?
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: It’s amazing. I mean, we had this deal sorted out, you know, in the off‑season, earlier in the off‑season, which is definitely a change of pace for me. I’m used to scrambling last minute to get something sorted out. That’s how it is for a lot of the drivers. That’s just kind of the climate of the market at the moment and how things are progressing.
IndyCar is definitely an upward trend, but it’s still tough. We’re still working on a full season. But it’s definitely the best opportunity that I’ve ever had. You know, that’s not something I take lightly.
I’m really looking forward to getting to work with the team and just getting to what we do, and that’s racing. I just can’t wait to get in the car and get on track.
Question: Do you think being with a set team will enhance your abilities?
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: A set team?
Question: Yes.
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: Yeah, I mean, hopefully this is a full‑season deal. I know everybody at Andretti Autosports is working hard to make it a full season. I sure am. Even if it is a partial season, it’s a great team to be a part of. They have one aim, one focus, and that’s to win races. And that’s my focus as well.
It’s a great organization to be a part of, very professional. Some of the best people in racing are with this team. So, hey, I’m looking forward, like I said. I’m really looking forward to getting on track and working with them.
Question: How is working with Michael Andretti?
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: Michael is great. He’s got so much passion for racing, it’s contagious. He’s pushing hard. He’s in the office every morning before the sun comes up and leaves when the sun goes down. He’s pushing the hours. He’s working as hard as anybody else.
He’s at the top of the team. There’s no other partners, it’s just Michael. He has a clear vision of what he wants to do. He’s really determined to make it happen. It’s a really good atmosphere on the team because of it.
Question: Ryan, I know you got engaged last year. How are the wedding plans coming and if they are coming along, is it you or your fiancée Beccy (Gordon) that has more say in that?
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: Well, she has all the say. We’ve been just so busy with everything from moving, we just moved from California to Florida. My mom recently was very ill late in the season, into the early off‑season. We’re still in that moving process, in transition. We’re starting to talk more about it. I’ll get a date here pretty soon. But, yeah, that’s our ship, and she’s definitely sailing that one.
Question: You mentioned moving into the house. I guess the decorating lies with Beccy or do you have some say?
Ryan Hunter‑Reay: I have some say. I’m happy to finally have a house. For the past, I don’t know, gosh, six years, I’ve just been living out of my suitcase. We were living out there in California. It was temporary. I was bouncing back and forth from Florida to California. It’s great to finally have a permanent home. It’s exciting. It’s my first house. So I’m enjoying it.
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