New Ilmor engine planned

Jeremy McWilliams and Andrew Pitt could get another new spec engine in the Ilmor 800cc contender by the middle of the 2007 world championship.

The British and Aussie riders got their first chance to test a new ’07-spec V4 motor for the first time at the recent IRTA test in Jerez, both satisfied with electronic improvements to help cure an aggressive power delivery problem.

Team owner Mario Illien has confirmed that the a second-generation
’07 engine is currently being developed at the team’s Brixworth HQ in Northamptonshire and he said: “On the engine we have got some plans of upgrading and that is in the pipeline because the engine work is more longer term. But I think once we have established where the problem lies we can then pinpoint where we need to develop and also the same for the chassis. I would expect another big upgrade depending on the needs but I could see it coming before the middle of the season.”