ECR Engines news 2010-07-22

ECR Cutaway Engine to be Featured During ESPN NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Telecasts

WELCOME, N.C. (July 22, 2010) -- Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines has partnered with GM Racing to provide ESPN a cutaway of the Chevrolet R07 engine to be featured during ESPN's telecasts of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for the remainder of the 2010 season.

The engine will give ESPN's viewers unprecedented access to the inner-workings of a race engine, including its valves, valve springs, pistons, carburetor, connecting rods, and crankshaft. The drivetrain assembly, from the engine through the transmission and the rear axle, will also be featured.

"We are very proud to partner with General Motors to give fans the opportunity to see one of our engines on ESPN," said Richie Gilmore, chief operating officer of ECR Engines. "As these races unfold, the fans might hear the announcers talk about a failed valve spring, or how a restrictor-plate is used on a carburetor. This cutaway ECR engine will provide ESPN with the opportunity to show fans exactly where each of those components are, and how they work."

In addition to being featured by ESPN during race telecasts, the interactive engine will be utilized by General Motors, ECR, and ESPN for trade shows, teaching seminars, and for other educational purposes within the motorsports engineering industry.

"It is exciting to know that our hard work and craftsmanship will be seen by millions watching our races, and by students who will use it as a learning tool," said Dr. Andy Randolph, technical director of ECR Engines. "It is a great opportunity for ECR's work to be on display for the race fans."

Longtime RCR/ECR employee, Ron Liddell, spearheaded the project, which incorporated the members of the entire ECR staff.

The cutaway engine was previously in circulation as ECR Engine 706 and was the first R07 engine from ECR to be used in a points-paying NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Jeff Burton and the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing team started ninth and finished 12th with it at Dover (Del.) International Speedway in June 2007.

-source: ecr