GM Performance Parts Delivers Out-Of-The-Box Power In Dakar Race

FOR RELEASE: February 20, 2003

GM Performance Parts Delivers Out-Of-The-Box Power In Dakar Race

DETROIT - Following its successful introduction into the high-performance world of drag racing, the GM Performance Parts ZZ4 crate engine turned heads as it sped through the countryside in the 25th annual Telefonica - Dakar race. The Chevrolet Silverado Protruck, equipped with a GM Performance Parts crate engine, was the first General Motors vehicle to finish the cross-country race, which spanned almost 5,000 miles.

French Teammates Eric Vigouroux and Alexandre Winocq installed a ZZ4 crate engine into their Chevrolet truck, and went on to finish 14th overall. More than 300 competitors started the off-road race that began in France and ended in Egypt.

"We took it 'straight out of the box', had a Dakar-tuned injection fitted to it, and raced without any single problem," said Vigouroux. "We especially enjoyed the tremendous torque and would like to express our greatest thanks to General Motors for providing us with a great engine."

The ZZ4 is the evolution of the popular ZZ series of small block crate engines. The aluminum, angle-plug cylinder heads have screw-in rocker studs, 1.94-inch intake and 1.50-inch exhaust valves, and 58cc combustion chambers that yield a crisp and responsive 10:1 compression ratio. It achieves 355 horsepower at 5250 rpm and is HEI distributor-equipped with an ignition timing advance curve developed for performance.

"The ZZ4 is currently our most popular crate engine, and you can see why," said Gary Penn, GM Performance Parts product specialist. "With a long history of successes in circle track and drag racing, as well as street rods and now off-road performance racing, the ZZ4 is a proven winner and a serious alternative for a variety of performance enthusiasts."

GM Performance Parts is part of General Motors Service and Parts Operations (SPO). Headquartered in Grand Blanc, Mich., SPO markets automotive replacement parts and accessories worldwide under the GM and ACDelco brand names. For more information, visit the GM Goodwrench web site at gmgoodwrench.com.

General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 355,000 people around the world. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

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