Indycar is known to be a “Spec Series”, meaning that it limits the components that can be developed on the cars (e.g. the same specific chassis and safety components). However, there are few small areas where the teams can develop their parts. Indeed, Indycar teams are spending a considerable amount of time tuning dampers. But what do dampers do and why are they necessary to the car? The main goal of any Indycar team is to create a car setup with good balance and stability in all areas of a corner, including kerb riding. When the car is going from a steady-state to another, a damper gets in action in order to control the speed of the dynamic oscillations of the car, given by the compression and extension of the suspension’s springs. The dampers convert the kinetic energy that is stored in the springs into heat, which gets absorbed by the oil - present inside the damper - through small holes, thanks to the movements of a piston. In brief, this oil gets hot, disperses some of the ener...