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CART: Mercedes-Benz Racing Engines Submerged For Success

24 June 1999

Each individual metal part designed to be installed on a Mercedes-Benz IC108E Phase III (E3) Champ Car engine is bathed and carefully examined by hand to ensure that it meets the rigorous standards of perfection necessary for successful competition in the CART FedEx Championship Series.

The testing process is similar to the one used for Mercedes-Benz production engine components, except that while production processes are automated, the racing engine components are all tested by hand at Ilmor Engineering, Mercedes-Benzs race-engine design and manufacturing facility. The technicians bathe all ferrous metal and aluminum parts in special chemicals, and then examine them under ultraviolet light to make sure there are no cracks that could cause problems during a race.

With five teams powered by Mercedes-Benz, Ilmor engineers must test more than 45,000 components for each race on the 20-race Champ Car circuit. "You gain a lot of experience quickly," said Ian Hawkins, Ilmors facilities manager. "It helps our team stay competitive."

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