Greatest Coup in Indy History

[macdaddy]

What do you think was the greatest "coup" in Indy's history?

I'll admit that I'm not much of an historian This is perhaps why I pose the question, but can offer few examples.

Was it the first team to show up without an oilman? The first rear-engined cars? The "ground effects"? Perhaps the Mercedes-pushrod?

I don't know how many of these were kept secret until the 11th-hour, but I'd cast my vote with the engine that Mercedes unveiled in 1994. Only one team had them, and they were a country-mile ahead of anybody else. It not only imuses me that they found such a loophole in the rulesbook, but it amazes me that they built a powerplant so superior, and so reliable, and keep everything absolutely secret for so long.

[Team Owner]

I agree with the pushrod Mercedes as it was a clever way of interpreting the rules.

[ahabthearab]

Maybe the Brabham rear engine?

[Hazza]

Jim Clark and Lotus?

[JohnSSC]

Granatelli, Andretti and the STP turbine.

After that, the Lotus Invasion!

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by macdaddy

I don't know how many of these were kept secret until the 11th-hour, but I'd cast my vote with the engine that Mercedes unveiled in 1994. Only one team had them, and they were a country-mile ahead of anybody else. It not only imuses me that they found such a loophole in the rulesbook, but it amazes me that they built a powerplant so superior, and so reliable, and keep everything absolutely secret for so long.

Screwed them for the next year, however, where Penske had DNQs.

Salih's lay-down Offy won first time out and the driver retired in Victory Lane. It then won second time out. Then everyone's copies took over - until the rear-engine revolution.