THE CHASSIS and ENGINES AT THE CHILI BOWL
SPIKE CHASSIS – Brownsburg, Indiana
Spike Chassis Inc. founder John Godfrey, creator and former owner of Stealth Motorsports is here to offer quality open wheel products, expertise, and service to the open wheel racing community.
John Godfrey has built cars that have won multiple USAC Sprint and Midget Championships and have won prestigious races; The Chili Bowl, Belleville Nationals, Kings Royal, Knoxville Nationals, 4 Crown Nationals. He has built race cars driven by Sammy Swindell, Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler and many other top racers.
Spike Chassis
Stealth Midget
Eagle Chassis – Lincoln NE
Eagle Motorsports has an Aussie connection, Bill Mann owner of Performance Wholesale and Speedway Spares in sunny Queensland.
The first Eagle chassis came from the nest in 1987 and Eagle Chassis have won the Knoxville Championship 3 times, the World of out Laws Championship as well as many titles across Australia, New Zealand and the US
Beast Chassis – Brownsburg, Indiana
When it comes to Midget racing, one name is synonymous with success: Beast. From high-profile wins at Phoenix, Anderson, Irwindale, and Indianapolis to multiple USAC National, Western States, Regional and Club racing. Beast chassis developed their first dirt midget chassis in 2009 after much success on the pavement speedways across the US.
Best in the work shop
XXX Chassis – Burlington WA (70 miles north of Seattle)
After have success with their sprint car chassis and 600 Springs XXX released their midget chassis. The new chassis has been a huge success for many drivers including Brady Bacon and Donny Ray Crawford.
The chassis is entirely constructed of certified and tested 4130 Chromalloy tubing.
Brady Bacon in XXX
Bare XXX Chassis
Bullet Chassis –Columba, Indiana
Bullet Chassis is based in Columbus, Indiana, next to the Columbus Airport and Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC). Formally known as Kunz Chassis. The cars are designed by set-up ace Keith Kunz, and now built right in our 12,000 sq. ft. Columbus, Indiana facility. Keith has proven to be one of the nation’s best set-up guys and also teacher.
Keith was a very successful team owner running greats such Sammy Swindell, Jay Drake and Tony Stewart all winning the Chili Bowl in Kunz car.
Bullet chassis on the rig
Twister Chassis –Broken Arrow Oklahoma
Building Midgets, Micro’s, Mini’s, Wingless Sprint cars, and Winged Sprint cars
Twisters in action
Maxim Chassis – Springfield. Illinois
Maxim is one of the most successful sprint car chassis builders with race car sales across the States, Australia and New Zealand. They also build mighty Speed car chassis.
There are many others chassis in the Bowl and they include.
Buzzard-Zero-F5-Hacked-DCR-Stewart-BRE –Phantom
THE POWER FOR THE CHILI BOWL
Esslinger Engineering – Monte, California
For over 30 years Esslinger has be the leading supplier of Ford based engines for midgets. Esslinger specialized in 2.0 and 2.3 single overhead cam engines. As well as midgets their motors are used in off road, mini stocks and hydroplanes. By far the most popular choice for the Chili Bowl.
The Esslinger
Gaerte Engines- Rochester, Illinois
Earle Gaerte has been producing racing engines since 1969 for Sprint Cars and Midget Speed Cars. The Gaerte name immediately means super fast and reliable racing engines. Engines are produced for all dirt classes including his own designed 164CI engine used by teams all across the Speedway world
Dyno room at Gaerte Engines
Fontana Automotive- Brownsburg
.RW Motorsports, participants in various USAC National Race Teams, inclusive of the #17b Midget car, acquired Fontana Automotive in January 2010 from owner Joe Fontana. Fontana Automotive provides Championship caliber engines to the Midget racing community. Fontana Automotive will be operated with the same commitment to performance and winning by new owner Steven Weirich.
Fontana’s premier product, the New Generation midget engine, based on the GM four cylinder, is the result of 25 years of on-going development. It meets the expressed needs of today’s racer. Reliability, drivability, a wide, smooth power band, lightweight, best left side weight in the industry, and most importantly, an engine that can win any race – a Championship engine!
Fontana New Generation Engine
Toyota Racing Development
With the engineering might of Japanese car maker behind this project the little Toyota will be running near the lead all through the Championship.
Add to the field factory supported engines from FORD, MOPAR, DODGE and CHEVROLTE there is sure to be one hell of rush for the lead in every heat of the Championship. .
Conclusion
The most popular combination of Chassis and Engine is Spike fitted with Esslinger . With so many great drivers with equal equipment it will take a very bold and game author to pick the winner of the 27th Chili Bowl
My pick is ………………………………too hard !
