Chevrolet’s new Indy Racing powerplant successfully completed its first dynamometer test, marking the start of an intense seven-month development program leading up to the engine’s competition debut March 2, 2003, at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

On July 28, Chevrolet announced the teams and technical partners that will play key roles in the development of the new Chevy Indy V8. Chevrolet also outlined its plans to make engines available to IRL teams.

“Chevy races to win, and we are assembling a strong lineup of teams that will help us add to Chevrolet’s unmatched record of racing championships,” said Steve Shannon, GM executive director - marketing services. “Chevrolet’s roster of development teams for 2003 includes Panther Racing, Hemelgarn Racing, A.J. Foyt Racing, Blair Racing and Team Menard.

“These teams have won more than half of the IRL events in the series’ history, and they have won every IRL championship. They are all proven winners.”
Since its return to open-wheel racing, Chevrolet has won all 10 IRL events contested in 2002. Chevy has already clinched the Manufacturer’s Championship.

Toyota and Honda will join Chevrolet as engine suppliers in the IRL starting in 2003.

“We recognize that the competition among manufacturers will be fierce next year,” Shannon said. “Chevrolet will commit the resources required to continue our success both on and off the track. Chevrolet is very serious about its IRL program, and we welcome the opportunity to take on new competition.”

GM Racing designed the all-new 2003 Chevy Indy V8 by using the technical resources of General Motors. The engine will be refined for competition by GM Racing’s dedicated R&D program and by four development partners who will prepare Chevy Indy V8 engines for IRL teams.

“We will use the strategy that has proven successful for GM in the IRL, NASCAR and other racing series,” said Joe Negri, GM Racing Group manager. “Our development partners for the Chevy Indy V8 program are Speedway Engine Development, Roush Industries, VDS Engines and Menard Engine Group.

“GM engines prepared by our affiliated builders have won 64 percent of IRL races since 1997. The Chevy Indy V8 development team comprises hundreds of individuals with deep racing experience. This strategy will accelerate the development process by allowing GM Racing to pursue multiple programs simultaneously.

“Chevrolet development teams will work cooperatively in areas of mutual interest to improve the overall Chevy program. We believe GM’s global resources will give our teams a competitive advantage in aerodynamics, chassis, electronics and driver development.”

Chevy Indy V8 engines will be available to all IRL teams at or below the IRL-specified price of $120,000. Updates to the Chevrolet engine package will also be released to all Chevy teams as they are validated and manufactured in quantity.

“Chevrolet’s program offers flexibility and value,” Negri said. “GM Racing will implement a lease program that is cost-competitive with other suppliers’ programs if that is what our customers want.”

The 2003 Chevy Indy V8 went from a blank computer screen to the dynamometer in nine months. It shares no major components with its championship-winning predecessor.

“The 2003 Chevy Indy V8 is 3 inches shorter, 3 inches narrower and more than 20 pounds lighter than the 2002 engine,” said GM Racing engineer Roger Allen. “The new design takes full advantage of the changes in IRL regulations that allow two fuel injectors per cylinder, a lower center of gravity and more latitude in engine architecture.

“The new Chevy Indy V8 hit all of our initial performance targets. The first dyno test was right on schedule, and we plan to begin track testing in September immediately following the final race of the 2002 season.”

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