Chevy IRL 2004 Preview

GM Racing Q&A: 2004 Chevrolet IRL Preview

DETROIT, Feb. 23, 2004 - Chevrolet finished the 2003 Indy Racing
League IndyCar Series with a flourish, winning three of the final five
races, capturing a pair of poles and setting the record for the fastest
race in motorsports history. The challenge for GM Racing in 2004 is to
maintain that momentum while simultaneously developing the current
3.5-liter Chevy Indy V-8 and preparing for the introduction of a new
3.0-liter version at the Indianapolis 500 in May.

The Chevy Indy V-8 is the heir to Chevrolet's rich open-wheel racing
heritage that began with company co-founder and namesake Louis Chevrolet, a
gifted engineer and talented race car driver who competed in the
Indianapolis 500 four times. Chevy Indy V-8 engines have won 103 CART and
IRL races, including seven Indianapolis 500 victories.

In the following Q&A, GM Racing IRL program manager Joe Negri discusses
the state of Chevy's IndyCar Series program and previews the 2004 IRL
season that will begin on February 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in
Homestead, Fla.

Q: What is the status of the Chevy Indy V-8 program as you prepare to
begin the 2004 season?

Joe Negri: We have made some significant improvements in both performance
and durability since last year. With the midseason introduction of a new
engine in 2003, our focus was on producing enough engines to supply all of
the Chevrolet teams. We gained valuable knowledge by testing those engines
under actual racing conditions, and applied that knowledge to the
development program during the off-season. Our goals were to improve
reliability, increase horsepower and enhance fuel economy. I believe we
have made progress in all of those areas.

Q: How many cars will Chevrolet supply with engines?

Negri: We have the capacity to supply Chevy Indy V-8 engines for six cars
in the first three events of the season. We are currently supporting two
cars from Panther Racing, two cars from Red Bull Cheever Racing, and one
car from Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. We have had discussions with other
parties and hope to have a sixth car with Chevrolet power for the race in
Phoenix on March 21.

GM Racing plans to have enough 3.0-liter Chevy Indy V-8 engines to support
10 cars at the Indianapolis 500. We anticipate that some of our affiliated
teams will run additional cars in the Indy 500, and there may be some
Indy-only entries. We could then add a seventh full-time Chevy entry for
the remainder of the season.

Q: How is the 3.0-liter Chevy Indy V-8 engine program proceeding for the
Indy 500?

Negri: The 3.0-liter engine program is on schedule. All of the
necessary components have been designed and are now being manufactured. We
will have prototype 3.0-liter Chevy Indy V-8 engines running on the dyno in
the near future. The IRL has given the manufacturers an additional day of
private track testing with the 3.0-liter engines, and we are aiming to have
a good supply of engines for the open test in Indianapolis in late April.
Until then, we are using computer simulation to optimize engine tuning and
to accelerate the development program.

Q: In the first three races of the season with 3.5-liter engines, the
IRL requires that the air boxes be vented to reduce horsepower. What is the
effect of this non-pressurized air box?

Negri: The initial track tests indicate that the vented air box has
achieved the IRL's goal of reducing speeds with the 3.5-liter engines. The
change from last season's pressurized air boxes required testing so we
could understand the impact on fuel distribution. The position of the lower
air box was also changed, which required a redesign of related components. 

Q: Will the change to 3.0-liter engines achieve the objective of
reducing speeds?

Negri: I believe that it will, in conjunction with the mandated changes in
the aerodynamic package. If speeds are faster than expected, the series has
the option to require a vented air box like we are using with 3.5-liter
engines in the first three races. That will also reduce speeds
significantly.

Q: The IndyCar Series regulations now require that an IRL team use only
one engine during two-day events and two engines for three-day events. Cars
must race with the same engines used in qualifying. What is the impact of
these rule revisions on Chevrolet's engine program?

Negri: GM Racing and Chevrolet supported these changes, as did other
IRL engine suppliers. Our engineering efforts are now focused on components
that have the strength and stamina to endure an entire race. Eliminating
the need for a parallel development program devoted to a short-lived
qualifying combination has allowed us to concentrate on building
dependable, long-lasting Chevrolet engines for the race.

Q: What is the role of Chevrolet and GM Racing in the IndyCar Series?

Negri: GM participates in the IRL to achieve both marketing and
engineering objectives. On the technical side, GM is an active, engaged
partner with our teams. GM has significantly increased the technology and
human resources for Chevrolet's IRL program.

For example, GM Powertrain is conducting high-level analysis and
development programs that have contributed to the performance improvements
made since last year. GM Racing has also stepped up its IRL chassis and
aerodynamic development programs. GM engineers are working on full-size and
scale model wind tunnel tests, computational fluid dynamics, seven-post
testing, and similar programs. We view the engine as one part of a complex
package that has to be optimized as a whole.

Q: How is this information shared among Chevy teams?

Negri: We have adopted a "one team" approach that has proven successful
in other racing series in which GM competes. A steering committee composed
of the key engineers from all of the Chevy IRL teams meets regularly to
discuss common projects. They help us to prioritize the programs that GM
Racing manages.

Q: What is your outlook for 2004?

Negri: This is going to be a season with intense technical development.
The first manufacturer to deliver an optimized 3.0-liter engine is going to
have an advantage. Analysis will be crucial because there is going to be
very little time to go through a traditional dynamometer and track
testing development program. The Indianapolis 500 is the most important
race of the season, so we are working very hard with Chevrolet teams and
our technology partners to reach our performance goals for that event.