Ilmor MotoGP Project set to debut

In 1998, the decision was made to broaden the business base and a separate offshoot began to grow, first around a project to produce components for Roger Penske’s NASCAR team, followed by two successful projects for Triumph Motorcycles, Harley Davidson and a number of other clients.

In 2001, Ilmor began development on the GM IRL engine, which led on to a speculative engine design for the new 2003 rules and the beginning of the company’s relationship with Honda. The design, manufacture and joint development of this engine resulted in a further expansion into what became known as the Special Projects Group, forming a discrete business with its own dedicated resources. This team of people, working in partnership with Honda Performance Development in California created an engine that has totally dominated the 2004 and 2005 seasons of racing in the IRL, leading to supplying a “one make” series in 06.

In late 2002, Mercedes-Benz elected to begin a phased buyout of Ilmor. This began to stifle opportunities for Special Projects and so Roger and Mario elected to buy the business, along with the Ilmor name. This was accomplished by the end of June 2005 and so a new Ilmor was born. The company is led by Steve Miller, an engineer with a 15-year history of success in US racing.

Ilmor now possesses its own independent design, development, testing and manufacturing facilities, along with the necessary support functions such as finance, procurement, production planning and inspection, employing 60 staff in total. Ilmor’s main business is the development and production of racing engines, from conception through to trackside. In addition, Ilmor currently have some interesting projects in the defence arena.

Suter Racing Technology (SRT) was founded by 82 times GP starter Eskil Suter and his brother Simon in 1996. Suter Racing specializes in the design and manufacture of components for motorcycle racing including engine and complete chassis solutions and is best known for its slipper clutches which have been used by numerous MotoGP and Superbike teams.

In 1998, Suter Racing designed and built the 500cc MotoGP bike chassis for MuZ and achieved two pole and several top 10 results.

In 2002, Suter Racing designed and built the Petronas Superbike engine for the Malaysian oil Giant’s WSBK Project.

From 2003 until 2006 Suter Racing (SRT) built the Kawasaki MotoGP Chassis. SRT employees today 35 staff in their facility in Turbenthal, Switzerland.