NASCAR to announce technical partnership with McLaren – NASCAR news
NASCAR is likely to announce Friday that its Sprint Cup Series entries will switch to fuel injections by the 2012 season, kicking off at Daytona 500.
As McLaren is keen to enter NASCAR with its technology, NASCAR is likely to announce that Britain’s McLaren Electronic Systems will facilitate the controller through a venture with Freescale Semiconductor from Austin, Texas. The testing and developments
of the components will carry out throughout the year, sources revealed.
This effort has been through process for months.
This effort started when Ron Dennis, executive chairman of McLaren Automotive first visited a NASCAR race last season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Dennis had a goal to provide NASCAR with fuel injection system. McLaren is determined to upgrade to
NASCAR technology.
“We’re hoping the commitment to quality and excellence is something that will allow us to become selected by NASCAR . . . for some of the fuel injection and some of the other safety benefits and ecological benefits that we can bring with some of the
technology that we have,” Dennis said.
Ron Dennis met NASCAR Chairman Brian France and other officials. At the prelude to NASCAR Sprint Cup Brickyard 400, France stated to be looking for Engine Control Unit (ECU) suppliers.
“We're on a steady march to more technology in the cars, which is historically unlike us in some respects, provided that it doesn't burden the teams with additional costs that don't translate to our fan base, and obviously that we can enforce whatever
new technologies,” France said. “The final thing is to make sure that it makes racing better. No question about it, fuel injection is something we're going to evolve to here in the short run.
According to the officials, eight companies submitted bids for ECU supplies. However, by the last summer the names were shortlisted to three names as McLaren, Bosch and Marelli.
McLaren’s headquarter is based in Woking, Surrey, England. It holds a great pedigree in motor racing and technology. McLaren includes McLaren Automotive and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Racing Team.
It has also introduced an innovative car consists a Carbon-Fibre chassis and a top speed hitting 200 mph. Its F1 team drivers’ list is long carrying good names and current world champion drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
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