The IRL series focuses on cost containment, safety and equipment parity to favor close competition. The Dallara IRL chassis are:
• open-wheel
• single-seat
• open-cockpit
• ground-effect underbody, with front and rear ailerons.

The Chevrolet name returns to the open-wheel arena in 2002, borne by a purebred competition engine that incorporates advanced yet affordable technology. Unlike the ungainly engines that company co-founder Louis Chevrolet drove at the Indianapolis 500 in the early 1900s, the new Chevy Indy V8 racing engine is a sophisticated, technically advanced powerplant with close ties to GM Powertrain's family of Premium V production engines.

Chevrolet powered the winning driver in the Indianapolis 500 six straight years:
1988 Rick Mears
1989 Emerson Fittipaldi
1990 Arie Luyendyk
1991 Rick Mears
1992 Al Unser Jr.
1993 Emerson Fittipaldi

The Chevy Indy V8 is the successor to the IRL Aurora V8 that dominated the IRL series for the last five years. Specifically engineered for the IRL series' 3.5-liter engine formula, it is smaller, lighter and has a lower center of gravity than the Oldsmobile engine it replaced.

"The new Chevy Indy V8 incorporates the knowledge and technical expertise that we have gained in five seasons of open-wheel racing," said Joe Negri, GM Racing group manager. "The Chevrolet IRL engine is significantly different from the Oldsmobile engine, with improved efficiency and higher output. This project is accelerating our development program as we make the transition to the new IRL engine rules that will take effect in 2003."

GM powerplants are the overwhelming choice of IRL teams. Twenty-two of the 26 entries for the first of 15 events on the IRL schedule are using Chevrolet engines. Besides Blair Racing, Chevrolet engines can be found powering entries for defending series champion Sam Hornish Jr. and 2000 champion Buddy Lazier. Penske Racing selected Chevrolet Indy V8s for its first full season in IRL competition with drivers Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves. Other Chevy standouts include Donnie Beechler and Eliseo Salazar in A.J. Foyt's two-car team, 2001 Chevy Rookie of the Year Felipe Giaffone with Mo Nunn Racing, Scott Sharp and Al Unser Jr. with Kelley Racing, Team Menard's Jaques Lazier, and Billy Boat, co-owner and driver for the Curb/Agajanian/Boat Indy Racing team.

Chevrolet's return to Indy-style racing is a key element in the division's wide-ranging motorsports marketing program that also includes participation in the NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series; the American Le Mans Series; and NHRA drag racing. Chevrolet is the only manufacturer that currently competes in three of the world's most prestigious motorsports events - the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"Racing is an integral part of Chevrolet's brand promise that says 'We'll be there'," said Ritter. "Customers justifiably believe that racing improves the safety and quality of production vehicles. By combining Chevrolet's rich racing heritage with General Motors' advanced technology, we create a halo for all Chevrolet products."

Firestone has been involved in automobile racing since the earliest days of the sport. In fact, Ray Harroun drove his Marmon Wasp to victory in the first Indianapolis 500 back in 1911 on Firestone tires. The Firestone Racing legacy has carried on for nearly a century now, assisting drivers around the globe in their winning endeavors.

The modern era of Firestone Racing began in 1995 with the tire maker's return to open-wheel competition following an exodus of two decades. In the ensuing seven seasons ending in 2001, Firestone racked up numerous milestones. Firestone's list of accomplishments includes:

• Capturing its illustrious 50th triumph at the fabled Indianapolis 500 in 1997. Firestone now has 52 Indy victories, a total more than that managed by all other tire manufacturers combined.
• Winning 70 percent of the Indy Racing League's events since the series debuted in 1996. Firestone, in fact, is the only tire to have competed in every IRL race. The 2002 season marks Firestone's third straight year as sole tire supplier to the IRL.
• Equipping five Indy Racing League season champions - Buzz Calkins in '96, Tony Stewart in '97, Greg Ray in '99, Buddy Lazier in 2000 and Sam Hornish Jr. in 2001.
• For more information on the Firestone Racing program, check out the Firestone website (www.firestone-usa.com).

Some interesting facts regarding the Firestone Firehawk racing radials:

• Indy Racing League cars utilize Firestone Firehawks that are slick (without a tread pattern) to allow as much of the tire as possible to touch the racing surface, maximizing grip.
• The total amount of tire surface from all four positions actually touching the race surface at any given moment is about one square foot. That means all the energy, aerodynamics and power generated by these high-tech machines must be transferred to an area not much bigger than a sheet of notebook paper to make it go 200-plus miles per hour.
• Under race conditions, the temperature of the tire tread area nears that of boiling water (212 degrees Fahrenheit). At such temperatures, the tread actually becomes a sticky, tar-like substance to help it adhere to the track.
• Many race tire innovations have transferred directly to the Firestone line of passenger tires, including: tires with lower, wider profiles; new polymers providing better wear, traction and hear resistance; sidewall reinforcing compounds and constructions; and improved water-channeling tread designs taken from racing rain tires.

Firestone Firehawk Specifications
Front Dimensions:
25.8-inch diameter
Front Wheel Dimensions:
15-inch wheel x 10 inches wide
Rear Dimensions:
28-inch diameter
Rear Wheel Dimensions:
15-inch wheel x 14 inches wide
Inflation:
25 to 50 PSI, depending on track type and tire's position on car
Weight:
17 to 22 lbs.