Delphi, UAW Sponsor NASCAR Car

LAS VEGAS--After more than a decade of using motorsports as a proving ground for its product line, Delphi Automotive Systems is bringing its electronic product expertise to the National Association for Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) through a new partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and car No. 25, driven by Jerry Nadeau. Delphi and the United Auto Workers’ International Union, have formed a joint sponsorship.

It was announced at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) as part of Delphi’s United States brand introduction.

“Motorsports provides Delphi with an opportunity to reach an expanded audience and demonstrate our advanced technologies,” said Bill Lafontaine, Delphi’s director of marketing and customer development. “Our association with Hendrick Motorsports is yet another opportunity to solidify our relationship with the UAW and build awareness of our brand in the United States.”

In addition to its new Hendrick Motorsports sponsorship with the UAW, Delphi also has a strong relationship with the Indy Racing Northern Light Series and Kelley Racing. Delphi was recently the title sponsor of the Delphi Indy 200 in January 2000, and has extended its sponsorship of Kelley Racing’s driver Scott Sharp and teammate Mark Dismore through 2001.

Since 1988, Delphi has been involved with open wheel racing to build brand recognition and improve product performance. Today, a majority of the vehicles in Indy Racing, CART, Formula One and Formula 3000 series are equipped with several of Delphi’s racing products, including accident data recorders, engine control modules, track condition radios, coil driver modules, radio telemetry modules and electronic fuel injectors. NASCAR and several sportscar series also feature Delphi-developed technologies.

As the official electronics provider to the IRL, Delphi supplies racing products to the majority of vehicles in the IRL, including:

• Accident Data Recorder (ADR2) --Senses and records key vehicle parameters at 1,000 samples per second just prior to, during, and after an accident-triggering event.

• Coil Driver Module --When commanded by the Gen IV ECM, this unit precisely supplies more than 360 volts to the coils of each of the eight spark plugs and eliminates the need for a mechanical distributor.

• Track Condition Radio --Alerts drivers with critical information by transmitting messages from race control to the car. A dash-mounted display communicates messages, including safety warnings, track condition and the pits’ opened/closed status.

• Radio Telemetry Module --Transmits engine and chassis data from a speeding racer to the race team engineers located in the pits. The telemetry module helps enhance driver safety and race team strategy by making real-time data available.

• Multec Bottom Feed Fuel Injectors --Production-based fuel injectors originally developed for throttle body fuel systems. Their high flow rate and small size are ideal for racing applications.

Delphi can be found on the Internet at www.delphiauto.com.