Ilmor

Ilmoris a British independent high-performancemotor racingengineering company. It was founded byMario IllienandPaul Morganin November 1983. With manufacturing based inBrixworth,Northamptonshire,and maintenance offices inPlymouth, Michigan,the company supplies engines and consultancy to theIndyCar SeriesandMotoGP.

Ilmor Engineering Limited

Company type	Private Limited Company
Founded	1983
Founder	Mario Illien and Paul Morgan
Headquarters	Brixworth,Northamptonshire , United Kingdom
Website	www.ilmor.co.uk

Mario Illien, co-founder of Ilmor

Ilmor Engineering originally designed built and producedIndyCarengines forChevrolet.In the 1990s, the company built a partnership withMercedes-Benzto power F1 cars for both theSauberandMcLarenteams. After the death of Paul Morgan in a vintage aeroplane crash in 2001, Mercedes increased its stake until it owned the entire company, and renamed itMercedes-Benz High Performance Engines Ltd.In 2005, Mario Illien concluded a deal to purchase the Special Projects part of the company in partnership withRoger Penske,which worked in partnership withHonda Performance Developmentfor IndyCar engines between 2003 and 2011.This new company, which is independent of Mercedes, is once again known as Ilmor Engineering Ltd. They developed theIlmor X3for the 2007MotoGPWorld Motorcycle Championship, entering one race before withdrawing and effectively shutting down the race team, due to funding problems.

Racing remains the core part of the business today and Ilmor acts as a consultant for motorsport clients from all forms of racing. However, the business is now using its racing expertise to diversify into other areas such as OEM automotive, defence, marine and energy efficient engine applications.

2.65 litre Indy car V-8

Ilmor 265-A
Overview
Manufacturer	/Ilmor-Chevrolet
Production	1984–1993
Layout
Configuration	90°V8
Displacement	2.65L(162cu in)
Cylinder bore	3.465in(88.0mm)
Piston stroke	2.142in(54mm)
Valvetrain	32-valve,DOHC,four-valves per cylinder
Compression ratio	11:1
Combustion
Fuelsystem	Mechanical multi-point fuel injection
Fuel type	Gasoline
Oil system	Dry sump
Output
Power output	720–850hp(537–634kW)
Torque output	350–415lb⋅ft(475–563N⋅m)

The “Chevy” Indy V-8

Further information:Ilmor-Chevrolet 265-A engine

Both engineers were working at Cosworth on theCosworth DFXturbocharged methanol engine for theCART Indy Car World Series;differences of opinion over the direction in which DFX development should go (Cosworth were inherently conservative as they had a near monopoly) led them to break away from their parent company to pursue their own ideas. There was some acrimony in their split from Cosworth, their former employer claiming that the Ilmor engine was little different from their planned modifications to the DFX.

Founded as an independent British engine manufacturer in 1983, it started building engines for Indy cars with the money of team owner and chassis manufacturer Roger Penske. The Ilmor 265-A, badged initially as the Ilmor-ChevroletIndy V-8, debuted at the1986 Indianapolis 500withTeam PenskedriverAl Unser.In 1987, the engine program expanded to all three Penske team drivers (Rick Mears,Danny Sullivan,and Al Unser),Patrick Racing,andNewman/Haas Racing.Mario Andretti,driving for Newman/Haas, won atLong Beach,the engine's first Indy car victory. He also won the pole position for the1987 Indianapolis 500.Rick Mearsearned the first victory for the engine in a 500 mile race at the1987 Pocono 500.A year later, Mears won the1988 Indianapolis 500,the engine's first win at Indianapolis. The engine went on to have a stellar record inCART.From 1987 to 1991, the "Chevy-A" engine won 64 of 78 races.

In1992,the 265-A engine was followed up by the 265-B engine. The "Chevy-B" was fielded singly by Penske Racing (Rick MearsandEmerson Fittipaldi) in 1992 and won four CART series races. All other Ilmor teams remained with the venerable "Chevy-A" for 1992.Bobby Rahal,driving a "Chevy-A" won the 1992 CART championship, the fifth consecutive (and final) for the 265-A.Al Unser Jr.won the1992 Indianapolis 500driving a "Chevy-A", also the fifth consecutive (and final) Indy 500 win for the 265-A.Emerson Fittipaldidrove a "Chevy-B" to 4th place in points, but both he and Mears dropped out of that year's Indy 500 due to crashes. It was at this time that Ilmor was receiving new competition fromCosworth,which had just introduced their new powerplant, the Ford-Cosworth XB.

For the1993 season,the 265-C engine was introduced, intended to replace both the 265-A and the 265-B. The "Chevy-C" was used widespread, and produced continued success for Ilmor. Some backmarker teams continued to utilize the "A" and "B" engines during the 1993 season, but neither the "A" nor the "B" would win another Indy car race. Chevrolet dropped its badging support after the 1993 season.

For the1994 season,two new engines were introduced. The 265-D engine replaced the 265-C, although some of the smaller teams still ran the "C" throughout 1994. Without badging support, the engines were referred to simply as the "Ilmor-C" and the "Ilmor-D". The other engine introduced in 1994 was the top-secret 265-E (see below), which was actually a 3.43 liter pushrod engine, used by Penske Racing at the1994 Indianapolis 500.

For 1995,Mercedes-Benzbecame the badging manufacturer for the Ilmor Indy car engines. The engine continued to be a strong contender on the CART circuit. In1996,the open wheel "split" began between CART and the IRL. Ilmor primarily was a provider for CART-based teams, and did not provide engines for any full-time IRL teams. At the1996 Indy 500,the "Ilmor Mercedes-Benz D" was used byGalles Racing,and finished second, the powerplant's one and only start in anIRL-sanctioned race. When the IRL switched to normally-aspirated engines for 1997, the 265s were no longer permitted in the IRL and the Indy 500, and from that point on raced in the CART series exclusively.

F1 debut

In 1991 Ilmor entered Formula 1 with a V10 engine as exclusive supplier to the ambitiousLeyton Houseteam (formerlyMarch). After some troubles Leyton House returned to racing as March in 1992, still using Ilmor engines. Ilmor also supplied engines to the Tyrrell team, starting from 1992. Powered by the Ilmor V10, Tyrrell scored eight points throughAndrea de Cesarisand March another three throughKarl Wendlinger.

Sauber

Ilmor were gaining a reasonable reputation in F1,and so the Sauber sportscar team and Mercedes-Benz, who were planning their Formula One entry together, signed a deal with Ilmor after scrapping plans for a Mercedes engine. In order to protect their image, Mercedes took on an observational role in the project and the cars had "Concept by Mercedes-Benz" written in the engine cover.

After scoring 12 points in 1993, Mercedes entered officially in 1994 using an updated version of the 1993 engine, and now "Powered by Mercedes-Benz" was seen on the Sauber engine-cover. The same year Mercedes-Benz acquiredChevrolet's 25% share of Ilmor.

In 1994 Ilmor also supplied the newPacific GPteam ofKeith Wigginswith the old 1993 spec customer engines. In 32 attempts, the Pacific cars qualified seven times. AfterPacific GP Lotuslost its Ilmor customer supply deal to Ford Zetec in 1995, Ilmor decided to reposition its Formula One involvement.

Racing in the United States

The 265D V8s ran the entire1994 Indy Car seasonbadged as "Ilmor Indy V8", withTeam Penskeheadlining the program, which included free engines.

In 1994, Ilmor produced the Mercedes-Benz 500I engine for Team Penske (although work on this started long before the Mercedes takeover as a private project between Ilmor and Penske). The 500I exploited a loophole in the engine rules at theIndianapolis 500(which was run under slightly different rules to other CART races). Originally stock-block engines based on production units, fitted with twopushrodand rocker arm actuated valves per cylinder, were permitted to run at increased cubic capacity (3.43 litres vs 2.65 litres) and significantly greater turbo boost than the pure racing engines. For several yearsBuickV6 units had been extremely fast but fragile; the restrictions were relaxed with the intent of permitting Buick-like engines to use stronger but still production-like blocks – theMenardengine based on the Buick took this approach, as did the unsuccessful Greenfield V8.

Ilmor realized that this provided scope for a completely new pure-bred racing engine – it would need to retain pushrods, but could be designed specifically for the requirements of the Indianapolis 500, and in strict secrecy schemed a completely new V8 engine which was approximately 200 bhp (150 kW) more powerful than the Cosworth XB and Ilmor 265D opposition. Team Penske's cars were by far the fastest at the1994 Indianapolis 500,andAl Unser Jr.won the race, withEmerson Fittipaldialso figuring strongly until an accident on lap 184. The loophole was closed for 1995, and Penske, a year behind on development for Indy, failed to qualify their 265D-powered cars for that year's 500.

For 1995 the 265D V8s were rebadged Mercedes and continued to be highly competitive, withAl Unser Jr.finishing runner-up with four wins.Rahal-Hogan Racingjoined Penske as major teams, asBobby Rahalcollected five podiums to finish third in the overall standings. In 1996, Penske's Unser Jr. finished fourth, Rahal seventh and his teammateBryan Hertaeighth, with neither collecting wins. In 1997, Unser Jr. had a poor season, whereas Penske teammatePaul Tracyclaimed three wins but retired in the last five races to finish fifth in the standings. PacWest driversMaurício GugelminandMark Blundellclaimed four wins combined and finished fourth and sixth in the standings. Forsythe driverGreg Mooregot two wins and three second places, but retired in eight races and finished seventh. After the CART-IRLsplit, Mercedes gradually lost interest in American racing and left CART after the 2000 season.

Ilmor continued working in the United States on theOldsmobileAurora V8 for the IRLPenskeentries.

In 2003 Honda partnered with Ilmor on theHonda Indy V8engine between 2003 and 2011 for co-assembling, preparation, tune-up and maintenance.At the conclusion of the 2011 season, Honda discontinued their partnership with Ilmor subsequently moving all design, development and production in house without any third-party tune-up partnership to HPD, for the 2012 Honda Indy V6.

In 2012 Chevrolet returned to theIndyCar Series,partnering with Ilmor on theChevrolet Indy V6engine program and supplying free engines forTeam Penskeand rest of Chevrolet-powered IndyCar Series teams are customers by pay lease system.

Ilmor is the option specification engine supplier of engines for theARCA Menards SeriesandNASCAR Camping World Truck Series.Truck Series teams are allowed to use the option crate engine based on the LSX, and many teams have switched to the option engine.Ilmor was heavily criticized when four of its NT1 engines failed during the2019 World of Westgate 200atLas Vegas Motor Speedway,effectively eliminatingThorSport RacingdriversGrant EnfingerandJohnny Sauterfrom the playoffs.Matt Craftonalso experienced an engine failure during the race, but survived the playoffs due to his points standings. The manufacturer took responsibility for the engines that suffered from severe detonation due to the combination of the high engine load condition combined with the extreme weather conditions in Las Vegas.Despite Ilmor's announcement, NASCAR denied ThorSport's request to reinstate Enfinger and Sauter into the playoffs.

In 2021 Ilmor partnered withEdelbrockto supply the 396 engine, which is primarily used in ARCA, for theSuperstar Racing Experience.

Mercedes-Benz in Formula One

A 2000McLaren MP4-15'sMercedes-BenzFO110J 3.0 litre V10 engine, made by Ilmor

Back in F1, for 1995 Mercedes had set its sights on higher goals and went looking for an engine supply deal with a more competitive team. Sauber had the opportunity to become a customer team, but team principalPeter Sauberopted to sign a deal with full-worksFordinstead. From then on Ilmor built the Mercedes-Benz engines exclusively forMcLarenafter Ilmor repositioned its Formula One involvement from independent engine manufacturer to trusted engine builder and assembler toMercedes-Benz High Performance Engines.

The Ilmor engines went on to be hugely successful with McLaren, scoring several podiums in both1995and1996,leading to three wins in1997and back to back drivers championship in1998and1999,as well as the constructor's championship in 1998. Although they did not win another championship until 2008 the Ilmor-Mercedes engines won several races.

In 2001 Paul Morgan was killed while landing one of his vintage airplanes, aHawker Sea FuryatSywell Aerodrome,Northamptonshire.In 2002DaimlerChryslerincreased its share to 55% and renamed the company Mercedes-Ilmor. In 2005 DaimlerChrysler became the sole owner of Ilmor and renamed the companyMercedes-Benz High Performance Engines Ltd.

Ilmor Engineering, Inc. – expansion to the U.S.

Ilmor Engineering, Inc., a sister company to Ilmor U.K., was incorporated in 1990 (President – Paul Ray) with the primary goal of providing engineering support to customers using the Ilmor Ltd.-manufactured Chevrolet 265A Indy Car engine. In 1998, the headquarters moved from its original facility in Redford, Michigan, into a custom-built, 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m²) facility in Plymouth, Michigan. The new facility housed all of the necessary disciplines to support the Indy Car program including design, engineering, engine building, engine test, performance development and trackside support functions.

From its start as an Indy Car engineering and trackside support group Ilmor, Inc.’s capabilities have grown to encompass design and analysis tools, engine and sub-systems test capabilities – including emissions compliance benches, precision manufacturing, electronics and wiring design and manufacture, and facilities for service and support.

Today, the expanded facility (over 44,000 square feet) houses more than 100 people, and produces high performance products in multiple powertrain related arenas including auto racing, boat racing, high-performance road cars, high performance offshore powerboats and custom V-twin motorcycles.

Diversification – Ilmor High Performance Marine, LLC.

As part of a broader desire to diversify the U.S. company's business base, Ilmor, Inc., entered the high-performance marine world in 2002, building race engines for the SuperCat Offshore Racing Series of theAmerican Power Boat Association(APBA). Recognizing the business potential, Ilmor worked with then co-ownerDaimlerChryslerto marinize and modify theDodge Viper's V10.

Late that year, the first two prototype 550 HP engines were installed in a new 58-foot (18 m) sport rubber dinghy. In close collaboration with Pete Hledin of Douglas Marine (the parent company of Skater) and Bob Morgan of Big Thunder Marine, the Ilmor V10's underwent extensive durability testing and the results were encouraging.

Armed with enough knowledge and experience from the initial marine exposure and having completed a comprehensive study of the marine business at large, Ilmor made long term plans to enter the powerboat business in a serious manner. Since 2004, Ilmor's high-performance marine division has enjoyed substantial growth, becoming a well-established supplier in the U.S. and European boat market. In addition to the MV10-550 engine, Ilmor created two additional performance variants: the MV10-625 in 2005, and the MV 7-10 in 2006. The 700-horsepower, naturally aspirated marine engine was developed with significantly improved fuel efficiency and a light-weight package. The MV10-550 was later upgraded to the 570 hp in 2006.

In 2009, Ilmor had to utilize its engineering expertise to create an entirely new generation of MV-10 marine products. Emissions requirements established by theCalifornia Air Resources Board(the most stringent in the U.S.), the federalEnvironmental Protection Agencyand theEuropean Unionmeant that all high-performance marine engines had to meet tough new exhaust emissions standards. The MV10-650 and the MV10-725, along with state-of-the-art Ilmor designed electronics were created to not only meet but exceed every requirement of the new regulations. Ilmor's MV10-725 is the highest output emissions certified gasoline engine commercially available in Europe.

As part of its overall marine business development plan, Ilmor also unveiled the all-new INDY high-performance stern-drive in 2009. The INDY drive, two and a half years in the making, was designed to complement not only all of the current Ilmor high-performance marine engines but to handle the power and torque of several other engines aimed for introduction at a later time. The addition of the INDY drive placed Ilmor High Performance Marine firmly into the ranks of marine powertrain suppliers.

Powerboat Racing World Champions

As a natural step for Ilmor, a decision was made in 2007 to enter the MV10 engine into powerboat competition. The twist for Ilmor, which is accustomed to manufacturing bespoke racing engines, was to race only engines identical to those already sold to the more typical high-performance powerboat customer. In the first year of competition for the engines, a pair of Ilmor Marine MV10-625 engines powered the #99 Fountain Worldwide “King of Shaves” powerboat to the coveted 2007 Powerboat P1 Evolution Class World Championship. The successful first year of competition was backed up with two additional European based Powerboat P1 World Championships in 2008 and 2009 and World Championship success in the US in 2008. The success validated Ilmor's belief that its production based high-performance marine engine could race and win against any competition throughout the world.

There has also been great success for the “Cinzano Bianco” race team in the UK marathon powerboat racing world championships. This boat was first raced in 2008 in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race with the MV10-625 engine. With the crew of Tim Grimshaw, Eric Smillie and Nik Keyser. It came fifth overall and second in marathon class B. It was then raced again in 2009 in the marathon class B series and came first in class and first overall for the class and the whole of the marathon powerboat series. With the crew of Marcus Hendricks, Eric Smillie and Tim Grimshaw. Then in 2010 it was re-rigged with the new range of MV10-725 engines. Shortly after the re-rig the boat was raced in the Around Ireland 2010 powerboat race, which it won overall and won its class. It was then raced in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race of 2010. With the crew of Marcus Hendricks, Eric Smille and Simon Woodpower.

MotoGP

Main article:Ilmor X3

Ilmor X3

In 2006, Ilmor announced that they would enter a two-bike team in theMotoGPmotorcycle racing series and would enter a single rider team as a wildcard entry in the final two races of the 2006 season. For the 2007 MotoGP season, engine capacity was to be reduced to 800cc from 990cc so Ilmor's wildcard entries in 2006 would be the first appearance of an 800cc MotoGP motorcycle at a race meeting.

Former 500 cc race winnerGarry McCoywas confirmed as the rider for theMichelin-shod bike in its 2006 appearances, scoring points both in the2006 Portuguese Grand Prixat theAutódromo do Estoriland the2006 Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana,becoming the first rider to score points on an 800cc MotoGP machine, though McCoy finished last on both occasions, four and seven laps down respectively.

On 18 December 2006, Ilmor Engineering confirmed via their website thatJeremy McWilliamsandAndrew Pitthad been selected as riders for the 2007 season.On 15 March 2007 after one race, the team announced that they were taking a break from Moto GP as a result of funding issues.On 30 April they announced that they would run a "slimmed-down" set-up focused purely on engine development, releasing all unnecessary personnel but keeping riders McWilliams and Pitt under contract.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
1991	Leyton House Racing	Leyton House CG911	Ilmor 2175A 3.5V10	G		USA	BRA	SMR	MON	CAN	MEX	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	ESP	JPN	AUS	1	12th
					Maurício Gugelmin	Ret	Ret	12	Ret	Ret	Ret	7	Ret	Ret	11	Ret	15	7	7	8	14
					Ivan Capelli	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	6	Ret	8	17	Ret
					Karl Wendlinger															Ret	20
1992	March F1	March CG911	Ilmor 2175A 3.5V10	G		RSA	MEX	BRA	ESP	SMR	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	JPN	AUS	3	9th
					Paul Belmondo	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	12	13	DNQ	14	DNQ	DNQ	13	9
					Emanuele Naspetti												12	Ret	11	13	Ret
					Karl Wendlinger	Ret	Ret	Ret	8	12	Ret	4	Ret	Ret	16	Ret	11	10	Ret
					Jan Lammers															Ret	12
	Tyrrell Racing Organisation	Tyrrell 020B	Ilmor 2175A 3.5V10	G	Olivier Grouillard	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	8	Ret	12	11	11	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	8	6th
					Andrea de Cesaris	Ret	5	Ret	Ret	14	Ret	5	Ret	Ret	Ret	8	8	6	9	4	Ret
1993	Team Sauber Formula 1	Sauber C12	Sauber(Ilmor) 2175A 3.5V10	G		RSA	BRA	EUR	SMR	ESP	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	JPN	AUS	12	7th
					Karl Wendlinger	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	13	6	Ret	Ret	9	6	Ret	4	5	Ret	15
					JJ Lehto	5	Ret	Ret	4	Ret	Ret	7	Ret	8	Ret	Ret	9	Ret	7	8	Ret
1994	Broker Sauber Mercedes	Sauber C13	Mercedes(Ilmor) 2175B 3.5V10	G		BRA	PAC	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	EUR	JPN	AUS	12	8th
					Karl Wendlinger	6	Ret	4	WD
					Andrea de Cesaris						Ret	6	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret
					JJ Lehto															Ret	10
					Heinz-Harald Frentzen	Ret	5	7	WD	Ret	Ret	4	7	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	6	6	7
	Pacific Grand Prix	Pacific PR01	Ilmor 2175A 3.5V10	G	Paul Belmondo	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	Ret	Ret	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	0	NC
					Bertrand Gachot	Ret	DNQ	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ
For results after 1994, please seeMercedes-Benz Grand Prix results

See also

• Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
• Mercedes-Ilmor

External links

• Ilmor Engineering