Penske PC-26

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Paul Tracy's 1997 Penske PC-26 Champ Car at the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006FOS 1997PenskePC26.jpg
Paul Tracy's 1997 Penske PC-26 Champ Car at the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Penske PC-26 was designed by Nigel Bennett and manufactured by Penske Cars in Poole, Dorset, for the 1997 CART Championship. [1] Whilst a development of the PC-25, the PC-26 was designed to address the twitchy nature of the previous year's car. [2]

Five chassis were produced and driven by Al Unser Jr and Paul Tracy. The Ilmor-produced 850 bhp Mercedes-Benz IC108D engine served as the powerplant, driving through an Xtrac gearbox within a Penske housing. Aerodynamic changes from the previous year's car included revised sidepod inlets and a longer, sharper nose. The Delco Gen V electronics package was carried over from 1996 and remained a Penske-exclusive system. [3]

The PC26 proved to be a formidable short oval car, Paul Tracy recorded three victories in Rio, Nazareth and Gateway. [1] The victory at Gateway marked the 99th for the team and the final victory for a Penske Cars-produced chassis. Penske Racing would have to wait three years to gain its 100th victory. [1] The latter part of the season saw a variety of problems including an eye problem for Tracy as well as a lack of raw pace.

Complete CART World Series results

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

YearTeamEngineTyresDriverNo.1234567891011121314151617PointsD.C.
1997 Marlboro Team Penske Mercedes-Benz IC108D V8 t G MIA SUR LBH NAZ RIO GAT MIL DET POR CLE TOR MIC MDO ROA VAN LAG FON
Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr. 22727437182082542020227511226713th
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy 3219*71*116Wth7710427282826261215th

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Pride of the Penske gene Pool". Motor Sport Magazine . February 2010. p. 46. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  2. "1997 Penske PC26 Mercedes Specifications". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  3. Bennett, N. (2013). Inspired to Design: – F1 cars, Indycars & racing tyres: the autobiography of Nigel Bennett. Veloce Publishing. p. 143. ISBN   9781845845360 . Retrieved 2022-06-04.

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