From: Michael Powell 

INDYCAR SERIES ENGINES REDUCED TO 3.0 LITERS FOR 2004

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003 – Key chassis and engine changes for
Indy Racing League(R) IndyCar(R) Series cars, highlighted by a reduction in
engine size from 3.5 liters to 3.0 liters, will be made in 2004 starting at
the 88th Indianapolis 500 in May in an effort to reduce speeds and ensure
safer and exciting racing, IRL officials announced Dec. 16.

Officials from Toyota, Honda and Chevrolet, the three engine manufacturers
for the IndyCar Series, will use existing 2003-05 engine designs but will
modify the engines from the current 3.5 liters to a smaller 3.0 liters. The
manufacturers will not have to design new engines for 2004.

The rpm level will be maintained at its current maximum of 10,300, but the
change to the smaller engine should reduce power output by as much as 100
horsepower.

Brian Barnhart, senior vice president of operations for the IRL, and other
IRL operations officials hope to reduce speeds by nearly 10 mph. Helio
Castroneves won the MBNA Pole for the 2003 Indianapolis 500 with an average
speed of 231.725 mph.

“We have been gathering data and studying ways to slow the cars down
without compromising the highly competitive racing we have in the IndyCar
Series,” Barnhart said. “We believe these changes to the cars and engines
will accomplish that goal. Our teams and drivers, as well as our engine
suppliers, Chevrolet, Honda and Toyota, our chassis manufacturers, Dallara
and Panoz G Force, and our official tire supplier, Firestone, have been
extremely helpful and cooperative in assisting us as we make changes to the
cars.”

At the first three races of the season, Homestead-Miami (Feb. 29), Phoenix
(March 21) and Motegi (April 17), 3.5-liter engines will be used, but a
3-inch by 12-inch slot will be cut into the airbox and engine cover, behind
the driver’s head. The slot will decrease positive airflow to the engine,
reducing horsepower and reducing overall speeds. When the 3.0-liter engine
is introduced at Indianapolis, the slot will not be used.

In July 2003, IRL officials alerted all manufacturers to prepare for the
possibility of road-course racing in the future. For 2004, cars will be
equipped with update kits that include road-course radiators and sidepods,
which will increase drag on the cars, producing slower speeds.

“The Indy Racing League debuted in 1996 based on the principles for the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500,” Barnhart said. “The
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 have been at the
forefront of safety since the early part of the 20th century, and the Indy
Racing League is continuing that into the 21st century and beyond.”

The 2004 IRL IndyCar Series season begins with the Toyota Indy 300 on Feb.
29, 2004, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race will be broadcast live on
ESPN.



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