MARVAC's RV Show in Novi to Feature Al Unser Jr.'s Indy Car

2 October 1997
MARVAC's RV Show in Novi to Feature Al Unser Jr.'s Indy Car

    OKEMOS, Mich., Oct. 2 -- Attention race fans ... the 8th
Annual Fall Detroit Camper & RV show has an exiting exhibit just for you.
This special display will feature Al Unser Jr.'s Indy car!
    The '97 Marlboro Team Penske Mercedes is an entirely new Indy car designed
from the ground up and built around the 1997 Mercedes-Benz IC 108D engine.
Visual differences from the 1996 car are seen in the cockpit area which has a
considerably wider opening to meet the 1997 CART rules.  The new regulations
were implemented to allow for thicker head restraint padding to lessen the
risk of head injuries.  Another noticeable difference is the height of the
side pod and intake to the underwing, both of which have been raised for
aerodynamic reasons.
     While the 1996 Marlboro Penske Mercedes worked extremely well on flat
tracks and short ovals, it was not easy to drive on road courses with
elevation changes.  To address this problem with the 1997 car, many aspects of
the suspension have been redesigned in order to improve mechanical grip.
Also, the aerodynamic package has been adjusted to be less sensitive to
certain tracks, thus improving the car's driveability.
    As an added bonus, The Motorsports Hall of Fame at the Novi Expo Center
will be contributing vintage Indy items to the display.  The 1964-65 Indy car
of Bobby Unser will also be in the display as well as his fire suit.  Plus,
you'll be able to view a 750 horsepower, V-8, Buick engine used in Indy cars
in the mid-'80s.
    Race to Novi for the 8th Annual Detroit Camper & RV Show!  The show will
be held at the Novi Expo Center (I-96 and Novi Road) October 8-12 and is open
weekdays from 2-9 p.m., Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
The cost for adult admission is $6.50 (age 13 and up), $2 for children 6-12,
and kids 5 and under are admitted free.
    The show is sponsored by the Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles
and Campgrounds (MARVAC), a member organization representing all aspects of
the camping and RV industries.

SOURCE  Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles and Campgrounds