Ilmor Engineering Captures 300th IndyCar Victory in Indianapolis - Engine Builder Magazine

Ilmor Engineering Captures 300th IndyCar Victory in Indianapolis

World-renowned race engine company, Ilmor Engineering, has won its 300th Indy Car race this weekend at the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, the second company ever to achieve such an accomplishment in the history of Indy Car racing.

Indianapolis_RC

World-renowned race engine company, Ilmor Engineering, has won its 300th Indy Car race this weekend at the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, the second company ever to achieve such an accomplishment in the history of Indy Car racing.

Ilmor Engineering was founded in Brixworth, Northampton UK in 1983 by engineers Mario Illien and Paul Morgan, as well as businessman Roger Penske.  The ambitious team set out to “build a better engine” for the Indy Car racing series.  Ilmor won its first race at Long Beach in 1987 with Mario Andretti at the wheel, and has been winning in Indy Car events ever since.

“When we first contacted Roger Penske in 1983, the plan was to design and build a racing engine to compete in the Indy Car Series,” said Liz Morgan, widow of co-founder Paul Morgan. “Negotiations largely took place in our kitchen where, even allowing for our enthusiasm for the new project and starting our own company, we never imagined that Ilmor Engineering would become the company it is today with its world class engines winning its 300th Indy Car race.”

Throughout the past 30 years, Ilmor Engineering has teamed up with automotive partners Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Oldsmobile, and Honda to compete at the highest levels of racing:  Formula 1 and IndyCar.  Ilmor, in collaboration with its automotive partners, has captured 17 IndyCar manufacturer championships, 12 driver championships, 19 Indy 500 victories, 44 Formula 1 race wins and two Formula 1 world championships.  Ilmor has been reunited with Chevrolet Racing in the IndyCar series since 2012 with the introduction of the new 2.2L turbo V6 engine, and their partnership has resulted in four sequential Manufacturer’s Championships and series domination each season.

“When Paul Morgan, Roger Penske and I started Ilmor, we all had high ambitions and the will and drive to win, but we could not imagine at the time we would reach the success we have,” said Ilmor co-founder Mario Illien. “I am very proud of all the many Ilmor employees who have contributed to this achievement.  It is an indication and reflection of hard work, consistency and talent. Working with the right partners and teams, we can achieve much more in the future.”

Race engine manufacturer Offenhauser is the only other company to have won 300 IndyCar races. As an active supplier to the American Championship Car Racing (“Champ”) series from 1935-1983, Offenhauser amassed 384 wins over 45 years, including 27 Indy 500 victories. Respected British engine manufacturer Cosworth Engineering was also active in Indy Car racing from 1975-2007, but Ilmor surpassed their 295 series wins in 2015.

“Congratulations to everyone at Ilmor Engineering for reaching this impressive milestone of 300 victories in IndyCar competition,” said Ilmor co-founder, Roger Penske. “Team Penske is proud to be associated with Ilmor and the legacy of success that the company continues to build in motorsports. This achievement is certainly a credit to the hard work and dedication of all the employees, the leadership of Steve Miller, Steve O’Connor, Paul Ray and their teams and the vision created by Mario Illien and Paul Morgan back in 1983 when Ilmor was first formed.”

Ilmor and Chevrolet are now preparing vigorously for the upcoming 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2016.

You May Also Like

Legends Nitro Funny Cars Series Announces Nine Races for 2023

Officials with the Legends Nitro Funny Cars series have announced its schedule will feature nine events in 2023. Teams campaign Funny Cars fueled by Nitromethane with body styles from the 1960s and 1970s, ranging up to 1982 and older.  Legends Nitro Funny Cars points will be allocated during six NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series events and

Officials with the Legends Nitro Funny Cars series have announced its schedule will feature nine events in 2023. Teams campaign Funny Cars fueled by Nitromethane with body styles from the 1960s and 1970s, ranging up to 1982 and older. 

Legends Nitro Funny Cars points will be allocated during six NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series events and at three NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series events before a champion will be crowned at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct. 26–29. 

Bill Introduced in U.S. House of Reps. to Prevent ICE Bans

U.S. Representative John Joyce (R-PA) has introduced H.R. 1435, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act,” a bill designed to protect Americans’ right to choose the technology that powers their motor vehicles. The bill was introduced in response to the California Air Resources Board’s plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles

More Details Revealed for the Future of Auto Club Speedway

More details have been revealed about the recent sale of NASCAR’s Auto Club Speedway—the 2-mile, low-banked D-shaped oval superspeedway near Fontana, California. It was previously reported that NASCAR had sold 433 acres of the 522-acre site.  Related Articles – Lubrication Specialities Adds to its Marketing Team – West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports HoF Names Five Members – NHRA

Discover Pro Tips & More at Drag Racing Sponsorship Summit

Racers, teams, promoters and sponsors at all levels of competition are invited to join sponsorship guru Alex Striler and more than a dozen top panelists from some of the biggest brands in motorsports for the 2023 Drag Racing Sponsorship Summit. Related Articles – NASCAR to Announce New Short Track, Road Course Rules – Chip Ganassi

AAM Group Hires Jeff Kesar as Engine Pro Marketing Specialist

After assuming operational oversight of Engine Pro, The AAM Group—the automotive aftermarket program distribution group and specialty marketing firm based in Piney Flats, Tennessee—has announced Jeff Kesar will help lead marketing and strategic planning for Engine Pro. Related Articles – Spencer Hyde Wins Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod – Liqui Moly Sponsors Formula 1 for

Other Posts

NASCAR Sells California’s Auto Club Speedway

According to published reports, NASCAR has sold land on the site of Auto Club Speedway, the 2-mile, low-banked D-shaped oval superspeedway near Fontana, California. Approximately 433 acres of the 522-acre site is said to have been sold to an unknown buyer at an undisclosed price. Reported plans include the demolition of the famed track, which

Sonoma Raceway Names Karen Davis VP, Marketing and Events

Officials with Sonoma Raceway—the road course and drag strip located in Sonoma, California and owned by Speedway Motorsports—have appointed NASCAR industry veteran Karen Davis as the vice president of Marketing and Events. Related Articles – Don Schumacher Motorsports Announces $10.5M Expansion – First-Ever Alaska Speed Week Set for June – Deatschwerks Announces Matt Patricks as

MotorTrend’s 19th Annual Hot Rod Drag Week

The race to determine the title of “Fastest Street Car in America” is back as Hot Rod Drag Week 2023 Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive returns to premier tracks in four Southeast cities Sunday, Sept. 17 through Friday, Sept. 22, and made extra special this year as HOT ROD Magazine celebrates 75 years in 2023. Registration for this highly-anticipated

BorgWarner Announces New Aftermarket Segment Spin-Off

BorgWarner—the American automotive supplier based in Auburn Hills, Michigan—has announced its spin-off fuel system and aftermarket segment will be a separate, publicly traded company named “PHINIA Inc.”  Related Articles – NASCAR Technical Institute Awards $76,000 in Tuition Grants to High Schools – Cummins Announces New X10 Engine – DEI Adds New VP of Sales &