The new Chevrolet Generation IV engine, 2004 IRL schedule, and the Belterra Casino Indy 300 from Kentucky Motor Speedway.
Chevrolet Generation IV Engine......
8/13/03.......... The Belterra Casino 300 at the Kentucky Speedway on August 14th will be first race for all six of the Chevrolet teams to use the new engine. The general specifications are the same as the Generation III, eight cylinders, 3.5 cu in displacement, electronic fuel injection, and duel overhead cams, but the rest of the engine is totally different.
Although it bolts to the frame and bellhousing the same as the Gen III, there will be over 40 different modifications to different chassis components in order to incorporate the new engine. The main engine support systems: Clutch, throttle cable, airbox, lubrication, cooling, sharf inputs for bellhousing and gearbox, exhaust, and electronic engine management systems will have to all be modified.
Those using the new Chevy engine at Kentucky:
- Sarah Fisher - No. 23 - GMAC/AOL -- Dreyer & Reinbold Racing - Dallara/Chevrolet
- Robbie Buhl - No. 24 - Purex/Aventix -- Dreyer & Reinbold Racing - Dallara/Chevrolet
- Buddy Lazier - No. 91 - Delta/Life Fitness - Hemelgarn Racing - Dallara/Chevrolet
- Vitor Meria - No. 2 - Johns Manville - Team Menard -- Dallara/Chevrolet
- Buddy Rice - No. 52 - Red Bull -- Cheever Racing - Dallara/Chevrolet
- Sam Hornish - No. 4 Pennzoil - Panther Racing - Dallara/Chevrolet
Expectations for the success of the new engine were bolstered when Sam Hornish finished second at Michigan in the prototype test racer equipped with the Generation IV engine.
2004 IRL Schedule...
8/16/03...... A lot of good news for IRL fans surround the release of the new schedule. The television contract with ABC/ESPN has been enhanced to allow for all of the races to be broadcast live. Last season's race at Montegi in Japan was tape delayed, but that problem is supposed to be alleviated. Also added to enhance race fans viewing pleasure is an additional 30 minutes of programming for a post-race show to get interviews and rundowns on the previous race while it's still fresh in everyone's mind. This is a great move for the IRL!
The series is happy to announce that they will now be racing at "The Milwaukee Mile," but sad to announce that they will not be returning to the Gateway facility next season. They are trying to hold the events down to 16 for the season at the present time so that they don't outgrow their market. Plans to return to Gateway in future seasons are on the drawing board.
