Shadows,
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Rob.The ToonMan
Chevy's SSR Ready to Pace 2003 Indy 500
Heritage-Inspired Super Sport Roadster Is Prelude to Production Model
Indianapolis -- Representatives from Chevrolet and the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway announced today that the all-new 2003 Chevy SSR will serve as the
Official Pace Vehicle for the 87th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 25.
"As we continue to build upon Chevrolet's strong performance heritage, we
couldn't imagine a more appropriate venue for us to showcase our new SSR as we
near the start of regular production," said Janet Eckhoff, marketing director
for SSR and Chevy's mid-size trucks. "This will certainly be another great
milestone for the Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway record books."
This marks the 14th time a Chevrolet product has served as the official pace
vehicle - the most appearances by any brand since the first use of a pacemaker
in 1911 - and the first time a truck-based Chevrolet will lead the charge to
the green flag.
Chevrolet and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have often been linked together
as powerful symbols that stir the imagination of automotive enthusiasts around
the world.
"We're pleased that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Chevrolet are
continuing this long-time relationship," said Tony George, president and CEO
of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Having the new Chevy SSR leading the
field to the green flag on May 25 will certainly contribute to a memorable
Indianapolis 500."
This year's edition of the Memorial Day classic will find Chevrolet out to
repeat its recent on-track winning performance. The "Bowtie" returned to
open-wheel competition in 2002, capturing 14 of 15 IRL events, including the
Indy 500, and the series championship. In all, Chevy has won 100 Indy-style
races, including seven Indianapolis 500 victories, and six series titles since
1986.
"Everyone at Chevrolet is proud to be associated with the Indy Racing Series
and the Indy 500," said Brent Dewar, the recently-appointed general manager of
General Motors' largest division. "The SSR is the latest in a series of
SS-branded Chevy cars and trucks that will rekindle the fun-to-drive heritage
of the Super Sport name. In keeping with our long-term goals, they will be
vehicles many people will aspire to own and also be able to afford."
The Chevy SSR that will serve as the Indy 500 Pace Vehicle is virtually
identical to the 25 unique 'Signature Series' saleable units to be built
before regular retail production and shipment to Chevrolet dealers begins this
summer. The Signature Series vehicles will be used to create one-of-a-kind
"pedigrees" for each vehicle before they are offered for sale through public
or GM dealer auctions during 2003.
"The SSR (standing for 'Super Sport Roadster') is like nothing else in the
market today. It's part roadster, part pickup and is a completely innovative
expression of Chevy's proud heritage," said Eckhoff. A highlight of SSR's
design is a unique one-button power-operated retractable hardtop that stores
vertically and out-of-sight between the passenger and rear stowage
compartments.
The frame and chassis of the SSR are similar in design to Chevy's mid-size
TrailBlazer family of sport utilities. All major exterior panels are of
one-piece stamped steel. Under the hood is a new aluminum-block version of
GM's Vortec 5300 (5.3-liter) small-block V8 that develops 290 horsepower at
5200 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. That power drives the rear
wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Rounding out SSR's sporty
street machine appearance are 19-inch front and 20-inch rear tires and wheels
.
Two SSRs have been prepared for pace duties:
a.. The primary pace vehicle emulates the appearance and content of a
Signature Series model. When the checkered flag falls, it will be placed on
display in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
b.. The back-up pace vehicle is VIN #4 of the saleable Signature Series
model run, carrying the signatures of John Middlebrook, GM Vice President for
Vehicle Sales & Marketing, and Mark Reuss, Executive Director of Operations
for GM Engineering & Special Vehicles. After the race it will continue to be
used in various pedigree-building activities then, like nearly all other
Signature Series units, will ultimately be offered for sale through auction.
A third SSR that emulates the appearance and content of a Signature Series
model will be on display during the month of May for up-close viewing by
visitors to Indy's Hall of Fame Museum. After the May race it will be a
welcome addition to GM's historic collection in Detroit.
Few modifications were made to the three vehicles to prepare them for pacing
the 33-car field on the 2.5-mile oval. Exteriors receive a subtle silver
ghost-flame paint scheme across the hood, front fenders and doors, a safety
strobe light bar recessed into the tailgate, polished stock cast aluminum
wheels and race event graphics. Inside, racing-type safety belts have been
added. Inclusion of heavy-duty engine and transmission oil coolers, higher
rate springs and shocks, and a lower restriction exhaust system provide
further assurance of optimum performance in the harsh environment of
professional racing.
The history of Chevrolet vehicles that have paced the Indianapolis 500, and
their drivers:
2002 Corvette 50th Anniversary (Jim Caviezel)
1999 Monte Carlo SS
(Jay Leno)
1998 Corvette
(Parnelli Jones)
1995 Corvette
(Jim Perkins)
1993 Camaro Z28
(Jim Perkins)
1990 Beretta
(Jim Perkins)
1986 Corvette
(Gen. Chuck Yeager)
1982 Camaro Z28
(Jim Rathmann)
1978 Corvette
(Jim Rathmann)
1969 Camaro SS
(Jim Rathmann)
1967 Camaro SS
(Mauri Rose)
1955 Bel Air
(T.H. Keating)
1948 Fleetmaster
(Wilbur Shaw)
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