2008 Dallara AJ Foyt Enterprises Indycar

The open-wheel, single-seat, open-cockpit design of an IndyCar Series car is one of the most distinguishable sights in American motorsports. The high pitched sound of its powerful 670 horsepower engine is unlike anything heard in racing. These two components come together to make the IndyCar Series one of the fastest, and most powerful, series in auto racing.

While an IndyCar Series car looks very similar to a Formula 1 car, the similarities pretty much end when you get 'under the hood.' An IndyCar Series car is powered by a 3.5-liter 32-valve Honda Racing HI7R Indy V-8 engine that can push the race car to a top speed of approximately 230 mph. Aside from drag racing, there is no other racing series that can match that kind of speed including Formula 1 which tops out at about 225 mph. Possibly the most remarkable thing about the Honda Racing V-8 engine is that it runs on 100% fuel-grade ethanol which makes the IndyCar Series the first major racing series in the world to run exclusively on the bio-degradable, renewable and homegrown grain-based fuel.

In 2008, IndyCar Series driver Darren Manning will drive the #14 ABC Supply Dallara/Honda owned by the legendary A.J. Foyt Enterprises. A.J. Foyt's brings a storied past and remains the only four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. Drivers will be put to the test at Watkins Glen International during the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, July 4-6. Americans Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti, and Graham Rahal will try to close the Independence Day weekend with a victory by defeating an international field that includes Helio Castroneves and now Paul Tracy, along with 3-time defending Camping World Grand Prix champion, Scott Dixon.

The Honda Engine Program

The Honda Indy V-8 debuted in the IndyCar Series in 2003 and has compiled an enviable record of achievements – race victories against stiff competition, reliability and continued research and development.

A 124,000-square-foot facility in Santa Clarita, Calif., provides Honda Performance Development associates complete design, manufacturing and R&D capabilities. Honda also has a mutually beneficial technical relationship with Ilmor Engineering. They will continue working together for on-going research and development, engine maintenance and trackside support for the Honda Indy V-8 racing engine at all IndyCar Series venues.

'It's clear Honda is committed to working with the league as a partner to continue building value in the IndyCar Series,' said Brian Barnhart, president of the Indy Racing League for competition and operations, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series. 'The reliability and performance we have witnessed has been outstanding, and as we move forward cost, availability and stability will be our priority.'

For the 2008 season, a 3.5-liter engine (213.6 cubic inches of displacement) will be used to provide longer engine life between rebuilds and additional mid-range torque for the varied IndyCar Series schedule – from street/road courses to short ovals to superspeedways.

Source - IRL