INDY 500: F1 engine builder Dudot joins Infiniti as Indy Racing manager
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 26, 2001
INDIANAPOLIS - Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan North America, Inc., announced that Bernard Dudot, one of the most successful technical directors in the past decade of Formula One engine development, will join Infiniti Motorsports as Indy Racing Program Manager.
"Bernard brings a wealth of experience and engine design expertise to the program," said Steve Kight, director of marketing and motorsports for Infiniti Division. "We were late introducing the new Infiniti Indy 35A this year, and having Bernard join us now will accelerate our program development."
Dudot, who will be based in Indianapolis, will manage the future technical direction of the program and coordinate with race teams, Infiniti engineers in Japan and the Race Engine Division of TWR Group. TWR recently joined Infiniti to handle the engine development and provide technical support to teams using the Infiniti engine in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series.
"I have seen first-hand this month that the Indianapolis 500 and the Indy Racing series are a terrific challenge," Dudot said. "The Infiniti engineers have designed an excellent engine in the 35A, and it is quite impressive what TWR has been able to do in a very short period of time. I am fortunate to be able to join such a strong team, and I look forward to contributing to the development of a winning program."
As technical director of Renault Sport from 1980-97, Dudot was part of the dominant Renault V10 engine program that won six Constructors Championships and four Drivers' Championships in the Formula One World Championship. Most recently, Dudot worked as technical director of the Prost Grand Prix F1 team.
In 1983, Dudot worked closely with current Infiniti driver Eddie Cheever Jr., who finished a career-best sixth in the F1 standings driving for the Renault factory team. 1998 Indianapolis 500 champion Cheever started using Infiniti engines in April 1999.
"The most successful year I ever had in Formula One was when I was driving for Renault, and Bernard was in charge of the engine program," Cheever said. "The experience he brings in open-wheel racing and his winning record is a big step forward in the technical depth of Infiniti's Indy efforts. His influence will have a dramatic effect on our program."
Infiniti Motorsports has three drivers in the starting lineup of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27. Robbie Buhl in the No. 24 Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing G Force/Infiniti/Firestone will start ninth; Scott Goodyear in the #52 Thermos Grill2Go Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone starts 16th; and Cheever in the #51 Excite@Home Indy Race Car Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone starts 25th.
Text provided by Paul Kelly
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