2008 Coyote Cheever Racing Prototype

Eddie Cheever formed 'Team Cheever' in 1996 and began racing in the IndyCar Racing Series. In 1998, Cheever drove one of the team's car to a victory at the Indianapolis 500.

They later switched to Infiniti engines and were successful at gaining Infiniti's first series win. In 2003, Infiniti left the series and Cheever Racing switched to Chevrolet engines. At the time, they were sponsored by Red Bull. IN 2005, they switched to Toyota engines.

Cheever racing ran mostly mid-pack during the 2005 season as the engines were underpowered and the team was plagued with poor luck. For 2006, the team was without sponsorship, so Eddie went back to a single-car team. He had driven during the 1996-2002 season, but with funds low, he returned to the cockpit in 2006. Originally, he had intended to drive until the Indy 500 but continued until the 8th race of the season.

The first Cheever customer car was the Spirit of Daytona Racing team which ran Fabcar chassis No. 002. Mounted mid-ship was a Porsche Cayenne-based 5.0-liter V8 engine.

The Fabcar chassis was later renamed the Coyote Chassis, in honor of the racing cars built during the 1970's by A.J. Foyt Enterprises.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2008

Team History

In 2007, Cheever Racing continues its participation in American motorsport by entering the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and the Indy Pro Series. Cheever Racing owner Eddie Cheever Jr. started the team in 1997 with the mission to use his 30-plus years of experience in Formula One, sports cars and open-wheel racing to build a top-level motorsports team in the Únited States.

Primarily competing in the IRL IndyCar Series, since 1997 Cheever Racing are winners of five IndyCar Series races, including the coveted Indianapolis 500 in 1998, and four pole positions. The team twice finished third in the IndyCar Series championship in 1997 and 2000, and won two Indy 500 Rookie-of-the-Year titles. Participation in the Rolex Series opens a new chapter for Cheever Racing allowing the company to diversify and build a stronger foothold as a leading American motorsports team.

Source - Cheever Racing

This Team Cheever Racing Grand-Am Rolex Series Prototype is fitted with a Coyote chassis and powered by a 5-liter V8 Pontiac engine. Team drivers include Matteo Bobbi from Milan, Italy, and Antonio Garcia from Madrid, Spain.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2008

FABCAR Engineering Returns to the Grand American Rolex Sportscar Series

During the Rolex November Test at the Daytona International Speedway, FABCAR Engineering will return to the Rolex Sportscar Series Daytona Prototype class. Eddie Cheever has entered the #51 Cheever Racing Porsche powered FABCAR to be driven by Christian Fittipaldi. Both Fittipaldi and FABCAR are previous winners in the Daytona Prototype class and the duo will form a great team that will mark the beginning of a new era for FABCAR Engineering.

Speaking of previous winners in Daytona Prototype racing, the chassis being used by Cheever Racing is FABCAR FDSC #002. This chassis is one of the most successful cars in Grand American DP history. It is the second DP ever built and was the very car that led FABCAR and Brumos Racing to three Daytona Prototype victories in 2003. In fact, it was the very car that Scott Goodyear made his now famous late race pass on Didier Theys to win the Sahlen 6 Hours at the Glen. Most recently the car received updates by Porsche Motorsports and was converted into FABCAR EVO #2 and campaigned by Brumos Racing in 2006.

Dave Klym from FABCAR Engineering is very excited about this new entry. He also knows that Cheever Racing sees what the FABCAR is capable of and looks forward to working with them during the upcoming season. 'Eddie and his engineering team recognize the potential of the FABCAR DP and feel with continued development the car can be made competitive. With four years of running and tens of thousands of race and test miles, the FABCAR has had nearly zero mechanical DNF's.' This is a fact that Klym and Cheever Racing hope will guide them to victory at the 2007 Rolex 24. For now though, FABCAR and Cheever Racing are focused on the test days and getting the team familiar with their new equipment. 'I want to thank The MCR/Brumos Racing team for their help in getting the car and spares ready for the Cheever Racing team. I am really looking forward to working with Eddie and his team. They are taking a very analytical approach to the development and running of the car.'

Source - FABCAR

Soggy Mid-Ohio Spins Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Out Of Contention

Wet conditions made for a slippery start for the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Race Team at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Race Course. As the rain began to fall, the slick track conditions claimed its first driver of the day when Crown Royal Cask No. 16 driver Tom Kimber-Smith spun in turn 2 miring the Pontiac powered Coyote Daytona Prototype in the gravel. Mid-Ohio safety crew members quickly extricated the vehicle, but the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Race Team found itself down two laps, where it remained for the rest of the race. Skillful driving by Kimber-Smith and team mate Antonio Garcia, coupled with other rain related mishaps that befell the rest of the field, yielded a 12th place finish for the team.

Tom Kimber-Smith: 'I came to Mid-Ohio with high expectations, but found my self struggling on the first day. The engineers went to work on the Coyote and found a better balance for the car and drivers for our second day of practice. The race started well for me, moving up several positions until a an altercation between myself and some of my competitors on the main straightaway that pinned me against the pit wall and ultimately caused my first spin. The rain then came on and before we could pit and change from my slicks to wets I spun, putting us 2 laps down. I apologize for letting down the team and all the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 fans… I look forward to another chance to put on a better show for all of Grand-Ams fans.'

Úp next, the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 heads to sunny, and hopefully dry, Florida for the Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona.

Source - Cheever Racing