Front-Wheel-Drive Drag Racing: Sunfire Shines in New Sport Compact Circuit

FOR RELEASE: January 30, 2002

Front-Wheel-Drive Drag Racing: Sunfire Shines in New Sport Compact Circuit


	DETROIT, Jan. 29, 2002 – The most successful manufacturer in the history of National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock is taking on a new challenge: the world of front-wheel-drive drag racing. After dominating drag racing’s most technically demanding category with conventional rear-wheel drive Grand Am and Firebird racecars, Pontiac is launching the Sunfire in the NHRA Sport Compact Series. The all-new Sunfire drag car competes in the NHRA Hot Rod class and in the Import Drag Racing Circuit (IDRC) Quick class.
	"Sport compact drag racing fits perfectly with Pontiac’s performance and excitement driven brand character and it allows Sunfire to participate in motorsports at a grassroots level with people who simply love cars," said Sunfire Brand Manager Craig Bierley. "We’re excited to be able to surprise people with what this car and GM Racing can do."
New GM Ecotec powerplant moves drag and production cars	A race-prepared version of GM’s Ecotec 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine sends its power to the pavement through the Sunfire’s front tires. The Ecotec engine is an advanced new global powertrain that is available in production Sunfires and a variety of GM vehicles worldwide. In showroom trim, the Ecotec engine produces 140 horsepower but the racing version tops 600 horsepower. A Hydra-Matic 4T65-E electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission, featuring a high-performance torque converter, multiplies the Ecotec’s considerable torque.
GM Racing’s Peterson: ‘Many steps’ in Sunfire drag conversion	The recent surging popularity of sport compact drag racing gives GM Racing engineers an opportunity to design an all-new vehicle to meet the unique demands of this specialized form of motorsports.
	"There were many steps required to design and construct a brand-new Sunfire for drag racing," said GM Racing engineer Josh Peterson. "We have worked extensively with motors, transmissions, and chassis components. It’s been very, very exciting to see this car evolve."
Safety a top priority in Sunfire drag car	Safety was a top priority throughout the preparation process. The Sunfire racecar is outfitted with sealed steel firewalls, a fire-suppression system and a full roll cage. The driver wears a HANS device and a six-point safety harness and breathes through a fresh-air system. By incorporating these advanced safety features in the race-prepared Sunfire, GM Racing is leading by example in the new arena of front-wheel-drive sport compact drag racing.
Drag fans like Sunfire styling	Appearance also matters in the sport compact segment and Sunfire’s sporty design stands out in the staging lanes.
	"Sunfire has always held a bold design that visually expresses its performance character and we think these aggressive styling cues will particularly appeal to sport compact drag racing fans," said Bierley. "The aerodynamic design of the production Sunfire also transfers well to its racing counterpart."
Pontiac, GM Service Parts Operations to develop accessories for front-drive performance market	GM’s Excitement Division will continue to build on its performance heritage with the current production counterpart to the Sunfire front-wheel-drive drag car. Pontiac is working with GM’s Service Parts Operations to develop a portfolio of accessories targeted at the front-drive performance market, including custom accessories and a supercharger kit for Twin Cam 2.4-liter engines that boosts output by 40 horsepower over stock.
	Sunfire’s 2002 model lineup gives buyers a choice of three well-equipped versions: SE sedan, SE coupe and GT coupe. Sunfire is an affordable, sporty car that provides serious fun – on the highway and on the drag strip.
Pontiac’s performance heritage showcased in Sunfire front-wheel-drive drag racing	Pontiac and performance have been inextricably linked for 45 years. Pontiac’s first NASCAR victory on the sands of Daytona Beach in 1957 began a transformation of the division from a producer of solid but inspired vehicles into America’s premier performance marque. That process continued on the vast landscape of the Bonneville Salt Flats and the fabled quarter-mile ribbon of asphalt at Indianapolis Raceway Park, infusing both the Pontiac brand and Pontiac owners with a passion for racing.

Pontiac continues to build on this heritage in 2002 with a focused and effective motorsports program that brings Pontiac driving excitement to the NASCAR Winston Cup and NHRA drag racing series.

"Pontiac’s participation in NASCAR Winston Cup stock car racing and NHRA drag racing makes a powerful statement about GM’s Excitement division," said Pontiac-GMC General Manager Lynn Myers. "The on-track performance and reliability of the Grand Prix, Grand Am, Sunfire and GMC brands that we showcase in motorsports reflects Pontiac-GMC’s commitment to produce sophisticated, exciting vehicles."

Sunfire Ecotec Engine Specifications

Production	Sunfire GT	FWD Drag Sunfire
Engine:	Ecotec 2.2-liter	Ecotec 2.0-liter
Horsepower:	140 @ 5600 rpm	600 @ 8000 rpm
Torque:	150 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm	400 lb-ft. @ 7000 rpm
Fuel:	87 octane unleaded	Methanol
Induction:	Sequential fuel injection	(SFI) Fuel injection
Transmission:	Hydra-Matic 4-speed	Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic
automatic	4T40E	4T65E
Chassis:	Unitized body/frame	Unitized body/frame with roll cage
Front Suspension:	MacPherson strut	MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension:	Trailing control arms with twist-beam axle	Trailing control arms with twist-beam axle
Brakes:	Vented front discs, rear drums, power-assisted four-wheel ABS	Front discs, rear drums
Tires:	P205/55R-16	26" x 8" front; 25" x 4.5" rear
Wheels:	16" x 6" cast aluminum	15" X 8" front; 15" X 4.5" rear
Fuel Tank:	14.1 gallons	4.0 gallons
Height:	53.0"	53.0"
Length:	182.0"	182.0"
Width:	68.4"	68.4"
Wheelbase:	104.1"	104.1"
Weight:	2,771 lbs.	2,450 lbs.