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Old 07-10-2010, 06:22 PM
StealthBird StealthBird is offline
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Default Re: 1970 Olds 442 Pace Car - COPO?

Some great info, I did not know that about the 72 H/O cars.

From what I recall, all the Pace Cars (the ones actually used on the track) had engine modifications (and usually suspension mods) in order to allow them to hold the high Indy pace lap speeds. Pace Cars not only had to hold a high speed for several laps, but accelerate at full throttle as they came came down the front stretch, sweep off into pit lane, then it was full-on braking.

I believe the first Pace Car (modern era, when pace lap speeds were high) that did not have to have any engine modifications was the 1980 Trans Am Turbo Pace Car. From what I recall, they only removed the a/c unit, then added the necessary safety equipment. The car could already stop on a dime, and handling/high speed aerodynamics was not a concern.

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