SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Federal-Mogul has announced that all five 500-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototypes competing in this weekend’s 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway will feature the latest Champion racing spark plug technology, currently under development.
The Rolex 24 showcases many of the world’s best drivers in around-the-clock action on Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course and features highly sophisticated Daytona Prototype and GT class cars that require world-class ignition system performance.
Four teams will run the new Corvettes – Spirit of Daytona Racing (No. 90), SunTrust Racing (No. 10), GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing (No. 99) and Action Express Racing (No. 5 and No. 9) – which feature 5.0-liter, 500-horsepower V8 engines built by Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines (ECR). Each engine will be powered by the latest generation of Champion racing spark plugs.
According to Federal-Mogul engineers, the spark plug being used is one of Champion's latest "projected surface gap design" plugs. This technology allows them to eliminate the plugs' ground electrodes, which can be susceptible to damage in very high-output engines that experience high frequency vibrations. The gap is also located farther into the combustion chamber for exceptional burn. The new Champion spark plug technology also features Federal-Mogul's SureFire ceramic material, which the company says offers significantly higher mechanical and dielectric strength.
“ECR has had tremendous success with Champion plugs, so it was natural that they turned to us for the best ignition technology for the new Corvette Daytona Prototypes,” said Federal-Mogul Motorsports Director Tim Nelson. “The Rolex 24 is the ideal way for Federal-Mogul and the Champion brand to kick off what we’re certain will be another remarkable year of racing success.”
According to Federal-Mogul, Champion spark plugs been used in virtually every form of engine-driven competition, including NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series racing, NHRA and IHRA drag racing, Formula One competition, and off-road truck, motorcycle, go-kart, snocross and boat racing.
“The Champion brand is in front of more consumers than ever thanks to our extensive involvement in professional racing and a new focus on connecting with millions of performance enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers,” said Michael Proud, director of marketing, North America, Federal-Mogul. “Customers will see the Champion difference in virtually every form of racing and in a variety of highly creative consumer marketing programs planned for 2012.”
To learn more about Champion spark plugs, visit
www.AlwaysaChampion.com.
