First Vortec Red ASA V8s Are Picked Up By Teams

DECATUR, IN - The first four Vortec Red ASA V8 engines were shipped from Lingenfelter Performance Engineering on Wednesday, December 8, 1999. Representatives from Herzog Motor Sports LTD and from A.P. Performance Racing picked up the completed engines.

Lasar Technologies Inc. is the exclusive distribution source for the engines and has assigned several of the powerplants to ASA teams who have orders on the books.

The Vortec Red V8 is a high-performance, factory-production engine with only minor modifications from the stock version currently available in the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird.

From the General Motors assembly line in suburban Detroit, the engines are shipped to Lingenfelter, where a dry-sump oiling system, an oil pan and engine dressing are added in the interest of safety for the competitive application. Each engine is tested on a dynamometer prior to preparation for delivery.

The fuel-injected, electronically-controlled engines will mark a new era, not only in ASA, but in stock car racing.

"I'm pretty excited about the program and I think it's going to be a real good deal for everybody," A.P. Performance Racing's Dan McLean said. "It's expensive to get this program up and running, but once that side of it is completed, but once you get throu gh that, it will be a cost savings, especially if it's as dependable as they are saying it is, and I expect it will be." McLean, who is the crew chief for Alec Pinsonneault, said he is excited about being part of the new engine program introducing a new era in oval track stock car racing.

"Anyone who has been around for the program of going from the V8 to the V6 and now into this has to be excited about it," McLean said. "I view this move only a positive step and I'm looking forward to being a part of it."

As the engines are completed at Lingenfelter, LPE officials forward the engine serial numbers to LTI, which in turn assigns the number to waiting orders in the office.

"It's been a long process getting to where we are, but you can really see the final pieces of it coming together now," ASA Director of Corporate Planning and Development Lex Dudas said. "This is very exciting to see the engines being loaded into trucks and heading for team shops. We had to get the program organized, but I think it will run smoothly from here." To this point, all the engines that have spent time on the dyno have met ASA specifications.