Patrick Racing to use Katech Engineering for Natural Gas Race Engine Development

JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking the next big step to bringing natural gas to a major racing series, Patrick Racing has chosen Michigan-based Katech Engineering as its engine builder for the American Le Mans Series Prototype Challenge Class (LMPC) cars starting in the 2013 season.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120619/LA27270)

"This is a key step forward for the program," said Patrick Racing's Jim McGee, who is heading the technical and engineering management for the historic program. "Katech offered us exactly what we needed, drawing on their expertise with the ALMS series, its teams, owners and demands. As the builders of the Chevrolet LS3 engine currently used in the LMPC cars, Katech brings a level of knowledge that offers a perfect match to partner with us for this new class of natural gas-powered engines."

Stephen Chue, President and Technical Director of Katech, welcomed the announcement and looks forward to his team taking on the project.

"We are honored to be a part of this historic initiative," said Chue. "As consumers struggle with heightened fuel prices and being held hostage by off-shore suppliers, the move to natural gas is going to be significant—and our Katech team is ready to prove its viability and reliability. Our mission is to illustrate the relevance of developing natural gas applications in motorsports to what we drive every day."

"There are some inherent benefits to natural gas as a fuel," continued Chue. "Apart from its domestic abundance, appealing cost and sustainability, it's a strong replacement for gasoline or ethanol. Natural gas comes out of the ground at approximately 130 octane, making more power feasible when managed properly. Are there challenges? Of course, but together with Patrick Racing, Katech will be viewed among the leaders in proving to the public that natural gas is not only a possible solution to replacing gasoline, but a solution that's preferred for racers and general consumers alike."

McGee says the initial work to convert the 400+ horsepower Chevy engines to natural gas will be completed over the next month, with static and dynamic dyno testing to begin immediately thereafter, and then on to being fitted to the Oreca chassis for further on-track testing.

Chue confirmed that major manufacturers including General Motors Powertrain have expressed a heightened awareness and interest in the project.

"They know we're on a very tight schedule and want to help where they can," said Chue. "They also know that natural gas isn't a possibility, but rather a probability for the future of transportation. We welcome their participation and input for this exciting project.

The use of natural gas is a significant next step in the ALMS series' positioning as the Global Leader in Green Racing. The American Le Mans Series is the only racing series recognized to comply with the Green Racing protocols developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International. These organizations see Green Racing as a way to foster technology developments for tomorrow's consumer production vehicles, enhance national energy security and reduce carbon emissions. The series views the addition of natural gas to the series as a means of continuing its mission to be on the front line of automotive technology advancement while providing unequalled entertainment for racing fans.

Katech's racing engines have won many races and championships in IROC, Trans-Am, IRL, ALMS, SCCA Pro, Grand-Am, FIA GT, including winning the NASCAR "Engine Builder of the Year" award from 1995 to 1997 and the "Global Motorsports Engine of the Year" in 2006. Their engines have also powered the famous GM Corvette Racing team which has dominated the U.S. and global GT racing circuit by capturing six championships and won the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans six times over enormous competition from Aston Martin, BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini and others.

U.E. "Pat" Patrick is the founder of Patrick Racing, whose teams have three times visited the winner's circle of the Indianapolis 500 and claimed multiple IndyCar series championships. With Roger Penske, Patrick is one of the founders of Championship Auto Racing Teams. He is the inventor of the Indy Lights Series and has mounted numerous cutting-edge racing and development projects including the return of Firestone tires to Indy Car racing and the Alfa Romeo Indy Car project.

NOTE: The original announcement from the American Le Mans Series and Patrick Racing can be found at http://s.tt/1f707.  In June 2012, Patrick Racing entered into an agreement with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), sanctioning body for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron (ALMS), to identify development and testing opportunities for the fuel system to power the Series' Prototype Challenge class beginning in the 2013 season. Additional high resolution art of the Patrick Racing Prototype Challenge car may be downloaded from the www.PatrickRacing.com website.

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SOURCE Patrick Racing