IRL: Indy Aurora V8 engine debuts

• Rick Voegelin <72467.3005@CompuServe.COM>
• MNI - Motorsport News International
• Mon Sep 16 22:11:19 EDT 1996

     The following is a news release on the new Oldsmobile Indy
 Aurora V8 which was unveiled this weekend at the Indy Racing
 League event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  You'll also find
 information on Oldsmobile's IRL contingency award program for
 1997, and a separate release on Carroll Shelby's new Aurora
 V8-powered sports car.

 Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or
 comments, or let me know if you would prefer not to receive this
 material via e-mail.  I can be reached at 408-761-2201 (phone),
 408-761-2454 (fax) or 72467.3005@compuserve.com.

 Thanks!
 Rick Voegelin
 High Performance Communications


 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

              OLDSMOBILE INTRODUCES INDY AURORA V8

   Four Engine Suppliers to Build Aurora Engines for 1997 Indy
                      Racing League Series

     Las Vegas, Nev.; September 14, 1996 -- Oldsmobile unveiled
 its new Indy Aurora V8 today in the first public showing of the
 engine that will compete in the 1997 Indy Racing League series.
 The new methanol-burning Indy Aurora V8 is based on the
 production 4.0-liter, 32-valve DOHC Aurora V8 which is available
 exclusively in Oldsmobile's flagship luxury performance sedan.

     "On January 4 we announced that Oldsmobile would celebrate
 its 100th birthday by competing in the 1997 Indianapolis 500,"
 said Oldsmobile General Manager John Rock in a press conference
 at the MGM Grand Hotel.  "Some people said we couldn't do it.
 But just 254 days after that announcement, the Indy Aurora V8 is
 ready for testing!

     "The Indy Aurora V8 has a great pedigree," Rock noted.  "The
 IMSA version of the Motorsport Aurora V8 was the first American
 engine in 30 years to sweep the Daytona and Sebring endurance
 races.  Oldsmobile has already clinched the GTS Drivers and
 Manufacturers Championships for the second straight year, and
 we're leading the World Sports Car championship with one race to
 go.  We intend to continue the Aurora V8's success next year in
 the Indy Racing League."

     The IRL version of the Motorsport Aurora V8 will make its
 competition debut at the Indy Racing League event in Orlando,
 Fla., on January 25, 1997.  This will be the first race contested
 under the Indy Racing League's new 4.0-liter naturally aspirated
 engine formula.

     Assembled Indy Aurora V8 engines will be available initially
 from four engine builders:  Katech, Inc. (Mt. Clemens, Mich.);
 Rocketsports Evolution (Lansing, Mich.); Roush Technologies
 (Livonia, Mich.); and Team Menard (Indianapolis, Ind.).  As
 required by IRL regulations, race-ready Indy Aurora V8 engines
 will be available for $75,000 each.

     "One of our major considerations in selecting engine
 builders to assemble the initial production run of Indy Aurora V8
 engines was their ability to supply customers for a full season
 of IRL competition," said GM Motorsports IRL/Road Racing Group
 Manager Joe Negri.  "We are committed to supplying engines for
 half the field in Orlando, and we anticipate that additional
 teams will use Aurora V8 engines in 1997."

     The major components of the Indy Aurora V8 -- the aluminum
 block, cylinder heads, and covers -- were designed by General
 Motors.  Delco Electronics manufactures the engine controller,
 and internal components such as pistons, crankshaft, and valves
 are produced by a worldwide group of aftermarket suppliers.

     "It has taken a tremendous effort by Oldsmobile, our allied
 GM divisions, and a network of aftermarket suppliers to design
 and build a new racing engine in the short period of time since
 the IRL engine rules were finalized," commented GM Motorsports
 IRL Program Manager Ed Keating.  "We have already successfully
 completed a 500-mile durability test in a dyno simulation of the
 Indianapolis 500 with a methanol-burning IMSA Aurora V8.  Now
 we're ready to start testing the first Indy Aurora engines."

     A new era for Oldsmobile and Indy car racing is about to
 begin.

                              # # #


 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

       OLDSMOBILE ANNOUNCES IRL CONTINGENCY AWARD PROGRAM

     Las Vegas, Nev.; September 14, 1996 -- Successful Indy
 Racing League teams that use Oldsmobile's advanced Indy Aurora V8
 engine will reap more than fame and glory.  They will also
 receive contingency awards from Oldsmobile based on their
 on-track performances.

     Details of Oldsmobile's IRL contingency award program were
 released today in a press conference held at the MGM Grand Hotel.
 A victory with the Indy Aurora V8 will earn a $10,000 award from
 Oldsmobile.  A $25,000 bonus has been posted for a first-place
 finish at the 1997 Indianapolis 500.  Winning the pole at an IRL
 race brings a $2500 reward -- except at the Indy 500, where the
 pole is worth $5000.

     Other benefits of Oldsmobile's contingency award program for
 IRL teams include the use of Oldsmobile vehicles, technical
 support from GM Motorsports, and test days.

     "Oldsmobile's IRL contingency award program is consistent
 with our motorsports philosophy," said Oldsmobile Specialty
 Vehicle Manager Dennis Weglarz.  "Instead of supporting one or
 two 'factory' teams, Oldsmobile will reward the teams that do the
 best job on the track with the Indy Aurora V8 engine.

     "Our goal is to make the Indy Aurora V8 the engine of choice
 in the IRL series," Weglarz added.  "We believe the Aurora V8's
 proven performance and reliability are qualities that will appeal
 to top teams.  This contingency award program is one more
 incentive for a front-running team to use the Indy Aurora V8."

     Oldsmobile instituted a similar contingency award program in
 the IMSA road racing series in 1996.  That program has been
 highly successful, with Aurora racers scoring four World
 SportsCar victories and eight GTS-1 wins in nine events.

                              # # #

  E-mail from: Rick Voegelin, 15-Sep-1996