Fri, 30 May 2008, 10:22 AM Caterpillar to Provide Rotational Engineer for David Powers Motorsports NHRA Race Program

Courtesy of Ted Yerzyk

BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- Caterpillar, the primary sponsor on Rod Fuller's Top Fuel dragster and an official NHRA partner, and David Powers Motorsports (DPM) have entered into a partnership to pilot an Engineering Rotational Development Program (ERD) at the team's Brownsburg, Ind. race shop.

The objectives of the ERD program are to gain unique engineering experience and to focus on areas of development for engine performance. The engineer also will gain exposure to unique manufacturing analysis processes, development of Caterpillar network, cross-functional marketing experience, and dealer/customer facing. DPM crew chiefs Lee Beard and Rob Flynn will assign projects to be completed by the ERD. DPM will provide the ERD a work area, network connection, performance reviews, and challenging projects. The ERD rotation is scheduled to being on June 2, 2008.

"The ERD program gives us the ability to tap into the resources of Caterpillar," Flynn said. "This will allow us to explore all areas of our race cars from the motor to electronics and the chassis. We now have the engineering capabilities of one of the largest companies in the world at our fingertips and we feel it will take the David Powers Motorsports racing program to the next level."

"The fact that Caterpillar is going to supply us with an engineer will give DPM the ability to scientifically analyze some of the problems that we're confronted with racing our Top Fuel dragsters," Beard added. "This gives our race team the ability to start our own research and development program and that's vital to the growth of our operation."

David Powers Motorsports fields the Caterpillar Top Fuel dragster driven by seven-time Top Fuel winner Rod Fuller and the Matco Tools dragster piloted by 18-time winner Antron Brown. Brown and Fuller currently rank second and fourth, respectively, in the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel standings. The team has combined to win three races in four final rounds this season.