Federal-Mogul Corp.
and John Force Racing Inc. (JFR) have announced a technology
partnership for the development and testing of next-generation
performance spark plugs on nitromethane-fueled drag racing engines and
other demanding applications.
"Even the most sophisticated computer-based simulations and other
advanced engineering tools can’t begin to match the operating
environment of a nearly 8,000-horsepower Top Fuel Dragster or Funny Car
engine," said Mark McMurray, bearings and ignition technical specialist,
Federal-Mogul Powertrain. "This new relationship will enable us to
develop and test a variety of next-generation spark plug technologies to
operate in very challenging environments."
JFR, like many leading professional drag racing teams, has used Champion
racing plugs for more than 10 years. "Champion has been the gold
standard in racing plug technology for nearly half a century, and
Federal-Mogul continually develops new ways to help teams push their
engines to the very edge," said Mike Neff, crew chief for John Force’s
Castrol GTX Ford Mustang Funny Car. "We’re excited to work even more
closely with Federal-Mogul engineers to help Fuel teams break new
performance barriers."
Few applications match the demands of a Top Fuel engine, where each
spark plug must direct nearly 60,000 volts and 1 amp of power into the
combustion chamber to ignite the nitromethane charge. Simply surviving
the 4-second run down the track is challenging in terms of plug design
given the extreme temperatures, combustion pressures and intense
vibration associated with a Top Fuel or Fuel Funny Car engine.
"There is a very narrow window in which a spark plug can survive and
properly perform in a Top Fuel engine," McMurray said. "In fact, if the
team just barely misses in the engine tune, they can burn the plugs all
the way back to the threads."
In addition to Force’s Castrol GTX Funny Car, JFR will campaign the Auto
Club of Southern California Ford Mustang Funny Car, driven by Robert
Hight; Courtney Force’s Traxxas Funny Car; and the new Castrol EDGE Top
Fuel Dragster, driven by Brittany Force.
To learn more about Champion spark plugs for the replacement parts and service market, visit your Champion dealer or visit www.AlwaysaChampion.com. To identify the right Champion plug for any engine, simply use the www.FMe-cat.com
electronic catalog.
