A fifth contender has entered the race to create the new generation IndyCar chassis after a group of Indianapolis 500 winning designers formed BAT Engineering.
Former Lola designer and Reynard US head Bruce Ashmore, ex-March and Galmer designer Alan Mertens, and former G-Force man Tim Wardrop have joined forces to create BAT.
The firm's IndyCar concept promises to provide extremely close racing in cars that can sustain a degree of wheel-banging and kerb-hopping without damage.
"The BAT Engineering design has not only produced a very fast car, but it also provides the strength and structure to allow the drivers to race hard and go wheel to wheel without ending their race early," said a BAT statement.
"This close racing and the durability of the car design, will add to the on-track spectacle and competitive format with more entries making the dash to the chequered flag."
BAT has also held meetings with renowned motorsport surgeon Dr Terry Trammell and IndyCar's safety and technical directors Jeff Horton and Les Mactaggart to ensure that its design offers safety benefits over the current chassis.
In addition, the company promises that the car will be constructed within 30 miles of Indy to keep teams' costs down and stimulate local industry.
Dallara, Lola, Swift and DeltaWing have already revealed their proposals for the new IndyCar, which will replace the current Dallara-Honda spec chassis from 2012. A decision on which car will be used in expected within the next few months.