Penske PC-25

Last updated
Penske PC-25 [1]
Category CART IndyCar
Constructor Penske.
Designer(s) Nigel Bennett
Predecessor Penske PC-24
Successor Penske PC-26
Technical specifications [2]
Chassis Carbon-fiber monocoque
Length4,973 mm (196 in)
Axle track Front: 1,730 mm (68 in)
Rear: 1,630 mm (64 in)
Wheelbase 2,972 mm (117 in)
Engine Mercedes-Benz IC 108C 2.65  L (2,650  cc; 162  cu in) V8, vee angle 72 degrees, 2 valves per cylinder, pushrod system single turbocharged Mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission 6-speed sequential manual
Weight703  kg (1,550  lb)
Fuel Methanol supplied by 76
Lubricants Mobil 1
Tyres Goodyear Eagle Speedway Special Radial 25.5in x 9.5in x 15in (front)
27in x 14.5in x 15in (rear)
Competition history
Notable entrants Marlboro Team Penske
Hogan Penske Racing
Notable drivers Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy
Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr.
Flag of Brazil.svg Emerson Fittipaldi
Flag of Denmark.svg Jan Magnussen
Debut 1996 Grand Prix of Miami
RacesWins Poles F/Laps
16032
Teams' Championships0
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Penske PC-25 was an open-wheel CART racing car that competed in the 1996 IndyCar season with Marlboro Team Penske and Hogan Penske Racing. It was designed by Nigel Bennett. [3] [ failed verification ] [4]

Contents

Development

Roger Penske made several changes for 1996, particularly after the Penske team failed to qualify for the 1995 Indianapolis 500. Some of the differences between the PC-25 and the 1995 car, the Penske PC-24, were that it had better aerodynamics and was powered by the Mercedes-Benz IC 108C turbocharged V8 engine producing 800 brake horsepower.[ citation needed ] The biggest problem to sort out for 1996 was the drivers; American Al Unser Jr. stayed with Penske but Canadian Paul Tracy rejoined the team and the team gave a PC-25 to Hogan Racing for Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi to drive and that team was known as Hogan-Penske Racing.

Racing History

Marlboro Team Penske

The PC-25 made its debut at the first race of the 1996 season, the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami Presented by Toyota saw Unser Jr finish eighth despite losing his front wing after hitting Carlos Guerrero and Tracy jumped the start but retired with a broken transmission. At the IndyCar Rio 400 the American finished second and the Canadian retired when he crashed into Marco Greco, The Bartercard Indycar Australia saw Unser Jr finish ninth and Tracy retired when he crashed. At the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach The American finish third and the Canadian finish fourth, The Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix saw Unser Jr finish fourth and Tracy finish fifth despite colliding with three Penske mechanics in one move after stopping his car in his pit area. The mechanics were not badly injured, but were taken to the hospital. Then Tracy received a black flag penalty because of the incident with his mechanics. At the U.S. 500 The Canadian finished seventh and the American eighth, The Miller Genuine Draft 200 saw Unser Jr second and Tracy third. Both Penske drivers had a collision at the ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix, The American retired but the Canadian continued and then crashed very hard but continued the race and finished 17th. The Texaco/Havoline Presents Budweiser/G. I. Joe's 200 saw Unser Jr finish fourth and Tracy retired with broken suspension, At the Medic Drug Grand Prix of Cleveland the American finish fourth and the Canadian finished ninth. The Molson Indy Toronto saw Unser Jr 13th and Tracy fifth, The Canadian crashed and injured his back injury during practice for the Marlboro 500 and did not start the race and the American finished fourth. Tracy was replaced by Danishman Jan Magnussen for the Miller 200 and finished 14th and Unser Jr retired when he crashed with two laps to the finish, Tracy returned with a heeled back for the Texaco/Havoline 200 and the Canadian finish 12th and the American retired with engine failure on the final lap. The Molson Indy Vancouver saw Unser Jr fifth and Tracy retired when he crashed. The final round of the 1996 season was the Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey Featuring the Bank of America 300 saw the American finish 16th and the Canadian retire when he crashed.

After the season finished, Penske was in an unusual situation for 1996. Penske did not win a CART race, The combination of the PC-25 with the Mercedes-Benz IC 108C engine and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company had nothing to challenge the Reynard 96I with the Honda HRH engine and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. Penske boss Roger Penske choose to continue with their own car in the 1997 CART season with the Penske PC-26.

Hogan Penske Racing

The PC-27 made its debut at the first race of the 1996 season, the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami Presented by Toyota and Fittipaldi finished 13th. The Brazilian finished 11th at the IndyCar Rio 400. Fitipaldi retired from the next two races, Engine failure at the Bartercard Indycar Australia and hit some debris from a collision by Greg Moore and Emerson's nephew Christian Fittipaldi, It damaged the suspension and crashed at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The Brazilian finish fourth at the Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix, Fittipaldi finish tenth at the U.S. 500. The Brazilian finish fourth at the Miller Genuine Draft 200. Fitipaldi retired from the next five races, Crashed at the ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix, Broken transmission at the Texaco/Havoline Presents Budweiser/G. I. Joe's 200, Engine failure at the Medic Drug Grand Prix of Cleveland, Crashed at the Molson Indy Toronto and got injured in a crash at the Marlboro 500 ended his CART career. The team skipped the Miller 200 and then hired Danishman Jan Magnussen for the remainder of the season but retired at the next two races, Crashed at the Texaco/Havoline 200 and the car caught on fire at Molson Indy Vancouver. The final round of the 1996 season was the Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey Featuring the Bank of America 300 and the Danishman finish eighth. At the end of the year Hogan Racing boss Carl Hogan choose to enter the Reynard 97I for his team in 1997.

Complete Indy Car World Series results

(key) (Results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDriverNo.12345678910111213141516PointsD.C.
1996 Marlboro Team Penske Mercedes-Benz IC 108C V8 t G MIA RIO SFR LBH NAZ 500 MIL DET POR CLE TOR MCH MDO ROA VAN LAG
Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr. 28293382224413413105164th125
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy 32319224573172795DNS12182913th60
Flag of Denmark.svg Jan Magnussen 1424th5
Hogan Penske Racing 926228
Flag of Brazil.svg Emerson Fittipaldi 131125204104252022142519th29

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References

  1. Bennett, N. (2013). Inspired to Design: – F1 cars, Indycars & racing tyres: the autobiography of Nigel Bennett. Veloce Publishing. p. 143. ISBN   9781845845360 . Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  2. "Penske PC-25". Penske PC-25. Retrieved 8 January 2017.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. "Penske PC-25". Team Penske. Archived from the original on 7 September 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  4. "Mercedes-Benz 1996 Indy Car Review". speedcenter.com. Retrieved 4 June 2022.