POMONA, Calif., Oct. 22, 2004 - While teams prepare for the final event of the NHRA Summit Racing Sport Compact season this weekend at Pomona Raceway, GM Racing is already laying the foundation for what it hopes to accomplish next year - to become the "hardware of choice" among sport-compact tuners in the series.
"When we entered the sport-compact series three years ago, one of our objectives was to establish a place at the track where racers could come to have their technical questions answered," said Carmen Smith, GM Racing program manager of sport-compact racing. "GM Racing engineers have always been available and on-site at our transporter to provide information and support on safety, the Ecotec engine, the Hydra-Matic transmission, proper setup and balance of the racecar, and just about anything from a technical aspect. In 2005, we will continue our effort to assist anyone currently racing, building or planning a GM sport compact drag car. Ultimately, we want to help grow the sport and bring down the cost of competition so that many more can become involved."
Sport-Compact Enthusiasts
Benefit From GM Racing
Research & Development
POMONA, Calif., Oct. 22, 2004 - While teams prepare for the final event of the NHRA Summit Racing Sport Compact season this weekend at Pomona Raceway, GM Racing is already laying the foundation for what it hopes to accomplish next year - to become the "hardware of choice" among sport-compact tuners in the series.
"When we entered the sport-compact series three years ago, one of our objectives was to establish a place at the track where racers could come to have their technical questions answered," said Carmen Smith, GM Racing program manager of sport-compact racing. "GM Racing engineers have always been available and on-site at our transporter to provide information and support on safety, the Ecotec engine, the Hydra-Matic transmission, proper setup and balance of the racecar, and just about anything from a technical aspect. In 2005, we will continue our effort to assist anyone currently racing, building or planning a GM sport compact drag car. Ultimately, we want to help grow the sport and bring down the cost of competition so that many more can become involved."
In 2002, GM Racing published the Ecotec Engine Handbook, a racer's cookbook with detailed information on how to prepare and assemble an Ecotec engine for competition. This instruction manual has been a resourceful collection of information allowing sport-compact enthusiasts to modify their own Ecotec powerplants by following the track-tested guidelines contained inside the handbook. GM Racing is also filling the parts pipeline with factory-engineered, race-tested components for performance enthusiasts.
Next month, GM Racing will introduce the Chevy Cobalt Phase5 dragster to further grow its research and development capabilities, bring the advantages of Ecotec to more racers, and most importantly, to provide an affordable, high-performance alternative to sport-compact enthusiasts.
"This demonstration vehicle is an example of what independent tuners could build and race themselves," said Smith. Expanding on the Ecotec handbook, GM Racing will publish a build-book that will allow racers to construct their own version of the Chevy Cobalt Phase5 dragster.
"Through the success of our Pro FWD and HOT ROD teams, GM Racing has demonstrated the reliability, durability and high-performance capabilities of our production-based components," said Smith. "The introduction of the Cobalt Phase5 dragster will show how a GM vehicle, coupled with both factory-engineered and aftermarket parts, could be built and raced at an attainable level. The GM Racing pit area will continue to serve as an 'open-book' of technical information supplying on-site support to any racer running Ecotec, a Cobalt Phase5 dragster, or any GM-branded cars including Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn. We want to bring the feasibility of racing to more and more sport compact enthusiasts and grow awareness of GM production-based racing components."
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs 325,000 people globally in its core automotive business and subsidiaries. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in more than 190 countries. In 2003, GM sold more than 8.6 million cars and trucks, nearly 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's consumer website at www.gm.com.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about
the former." - Albert Einstein
hmmm sounds like they want to help
and the cobalt drag car should be sweet
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