A comparison of the machines that compete in the three major events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: Red Bull Indianapolis GP (MotoGP), Indianapolis 500 (IndyCar Series) and Allstate 400 at the Brickyard (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series):
MOTO GP
| Top speed: | Approximately 208 mph (335 km/h) |
| Engine: | Normally aspirated, 800cc four-stroke |
| Horsepower: | Approximately 220 |
| Fuel: | Unleaded racing gasoline |
| Tires: | Racing slick (Bridgestone, Dunlop or Michelin) |
| Wheelbase: | Between 56-57 inches (142-145 cm), defined by constructor |
| Minimum weight: | Two-cylinder or less engine: 293.2 pounds (133 kg) |
| (not including rider) | Three-cylinder engine: 309.8 pounds (140.5 kg) |
| Four-cylinder engine: 326.3 pounds (148 kg) | |
| Five-cylinder engine: 342.8 pounds (155.5 kg) | |
| Six-cylinder or more engine: 359.4 pounds (163 kg) | |
| Height: | Between 44.3-45.3 inches (112-115 cm), defined by constructor |
| Width: | Front: 25.6 inches (65 cm) |
| Rear: 17.7 inches (45 cm) |
INDYCAR SERIES
| Top speed: | Approximately 230 mph (370 km/h) |
| Engine: | Normally aspirated, 3.5-liter V8 |
| Horsepower: | Approximately 670 |
| Fuel: | Ethanol |
| Tires: | Racing slick (Firestone Firehawk) |
| Wheelbase: | 120 inches (304.8 cm) |
|
Minimum weight: (not including driver) |
1,525 lbs. (692 kg) for ovals, 1,600 lbs. (726 kg) for road courses |
| Height: | Maximum: 38 inches (96.5 cm), excluding roll hoop or camera mount) |
| Width: | Maximum: 78.5 inches (199.4 cm) |
| Minimum: 77.5 inches (196.9 cm) |
NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES
| Top speed: | Approximately 200 mph (322 km/h) |
| Engine: | Normally aspirated, 5.7-liter V8 |
| Horsepower: | Approximately 790 |
| Fuel: | Unleaded racing gasoline |
| Tires: | Racing slick (Goodyear Eagle) |
| Wheelbase: | 110 inches (279.4 cm) |
| Minimum weight: | 3,400 lbs. (1,542 kg) |
| (not including driver) | |
| Height: | Minimum: 51 inches (129.5 cm) |
| Width: | Maximum: 72.5 inches (184.2 cm) |
OTHER INTERESTING FACTS
•Small engine, big power: MotoGP bikes create incredible horsepower when considering power per liter of engine displacement. MotoGP bikes would create 275 horsepower per liter of engine displacement, as their 800cc engines are less than 1 liter yet still produce approximately 220 horsepower. IndyCars generate 191 horsepower per liter and NEXTEL Cup Series 139 horsepower per liter.
•Pit stops: While IndyCar Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series cars make multiple pit stops during races at IMS, MotoGP motorcycles do not make any scheduled stops.
Last Updated: 04-28-2008 at 01:00 PM