Galmer

Galmer was an American racecar manufacturer that built cars used from 1992 through 1993 in CART competition and the Indianapolis 500. The cars were commissioned by the Galles Racing team. Although they were an American-based effort, spearheaded by Alan Mertens (galmerinc.com), the cars were actually assembled at the Galmer Engineering shop in Bicester, England.

Galmer G92
Galmer 92B
CategoryCART IndyCar
ConstructorGalmer Engineering
Designer(s)Alan Mertens
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon Fiber Aluminum Honeycomb monocoque
Suspension (front)Pushrod upper-rocker, inboard springs and damper
EngineIlmor-Chevrolet 265A, 2,647 cc (161.5 cu in), V8 80°, turbocharged, Mid-engined, longitudinally mounted.
Transmissionmanual
FuelMethanol
TyresGoodyear 16 in. x 10.75 in. (front) 16 in. x 15 in. (rear)
Competition history
Notable entrantsGalles Racing
Burns Racing
PacWest Racing
Notable driversAl Unser, Jr.,
Danny Sullivan,
Dominic Dobson
Debut1992 Daikyo IndyCar Grand Prix,
Surfers Paradise, Australia
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
2021?
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Galmer chassis program came at a time in the CART series when interest in in-house chassis development was at its peak. The program followed in the footsteps of Penske, Truesports, and others (Porsche, etc.) who also had, or had previously attempted, similar in-house chassis programs. The name "Galmer" is a portmanteau of the surnames of Rick Galles and Alan Mertens.

The chassis' most notable accomplishment was Al Unser Jr.'s win at the 1992 Indianapolis 500 in the closest finish in race history. One other CART race was won with the chassis by Danny Sullivan in 1992. In the 1992 CART season, Unser Jr. scored 15 top-ten finishes in 16 races (the other finish was an 11th), en route to third place in the final championship standings. Sullivan had 11 top-tens, finishing 7th in points.

The 1992 season was the only year the chassis was utilized in a full-time capacity. Though it was not openly revealed at the time, the decision for Galles Racing to ultimately shelve the Galmer project was made on the morning of the 1992 Indianapolis 500,[1] the same race that Unser Jr. went on to win.

In 1993, the car was used on a part-time basis by Dominic Dobson. Proving uncompetitive, the car was retired never to be raced in CART competition again. Only those three men ever raced a Galmer in CART competition, yet it won two races, making it one of the most successful chassis on a per-race basis.

Galmer attempted to enter Formula One in 1993 with a takeover of the defunct Brabham team, however the effort failed as a result of financial problems.[2]

Complete Indy Car World Series results

(key)

Year Entrants Chassis Engines Tyres Drivers No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points D.C.
1992 Galles-Kraco Racing G92 Chevrolet 265A V8t G SFR PHX LBH INDY DET POR MIL NHA TOR MCH CLE ROA VAN MDO NAZ LAG
Al Unser, Jr. 3 4 5 4* 1 9 3 7 8 7 4 3 2 2 3 11 9 169 3rd
Danny Sullivan 18 5 12 1 5 5 12 12 9 3 8 20 7 7 8 17 7 99 7th
1993 Burns Racing 92B Chevrolet 265A V8t G SFR PHX LBH INDY MIL DET POR CLE TOR MCH NHA ROA VAN MDO NAZ LAG
Dominic Dobson 66 23 0 39th
PacWest Racing 17 14 DNQ 18
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References

  1. "The Talk of Gasoline Alley" - May 1, 2006
  2. https://www.unracedf1.com/brabham-galmer-story-reviving-brabham/
  3. "SPORTS PEOPLE: AUTO RACING; Indy 500's Finish Was Even Closer". The New York Times. 1992-07-03. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
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