Trivia question, last 4 cylinder at Indy 500?

[Darth Airbox]

Obviously the last v6 was in 1996 with the Menards. When was the last 4-cylinder engine entered into the Indy 500?

[Indy500fanatic]

the final offy was driven and failed to quality by John Mahler...cant remember if 'last offy' ( as was stamped on the ID tag)was a 4 or 8...hmmmm

anyone?

[Frank Capua]

Better yet when was the last no cylinder car entered in the Indy 500?

[BSJracing]

Better yet when was the last no cylinder car entered in the Indy 500?

1969? Was thinking someone may have tried a turbine only to find out the rules were too restrictive.

[Professor Joe]

1969? Was thinking someone may have tried a turbine only to find out the rules were too restrictive.

I know there was one there that year. I was at practice the day that Mario hit the wall (8 years old - my first day ever at the track). There was a gold turbine that looked like an airplane with no wings. It just sat in the pits. I don't think I ever saw it run a lap. But, I remember vividly them bringing the remnants of Mario's car down pit lane on the hook and the ambulance carrying Mario heading back up the pit lane.

[voice_of_reason]

Obviously the last v6 was in 1996 with the Menards. When was the last 4-cylinder engine entered into the Indy 500?

1980

[midtown]

Better yet when was the last no cylinder car entered in the Indy 500?

Hurtibise (sp?) Mallard - ran on Miller beer.

[11rowsof3]

Obviously the last v6 was in 1996 with the Menards. When was the last 4-cylinder engine entered into the Indy 500?

I would guess between 1978-1982?

[11rowsof3]

Okay... I cheated with Google, so far I have found...

"The last Offy to finish a race at Indianapolis powered Gary Bettenhausen from a starting position of 32nd to a 3rd place finish in 1980."

Still working on the last one entered.

[Frank Capua]

Hurtibise (sp?) Mallard - ran on Miller beer.

Ding, ding, ding... we have a wiener! :applause:

Entered and assigned a spot in the old crowded wooden garages and when you opened the hood all the cylinders were 12 ouncers and covered with Ice.

[Frank Capua]

Okay... I cheated with Google, so far I have found...

"The last Offy to finish a race at Indianapolis powered Gary Bettenhausen from a starting position of 32nd to a 3rd place finish in 1980."

Still working on the last one entered.

1983 Offy entered by Rolla Volstedt and listed both Mark Alderson and Larry Cannon as drivers but couldn't find any listed practice speeds.

[indyrjc]

The 4 cylinder engine entered was a Rolla Vollstedt turbo-Offy in 1983. Both Larry Cannon and Mark Alderson (who passed his rookie test in the car) ran the car in practice but I don't believe that it ever went to the qualifying line.

[jp]

1983 Offy entered by Rolla Volstedt and listed both Mark Alderson and Larry Cannon as drivers but couldn't find any listed practice speeds.

He preferred "Boom Boom."

[Darth Airbox]

Okay great, thanks guys. I am figuring the announcement for Lotus to be a 4 cylinder so was curious on the history. I knew the Offenhauser engines were 4 cylinders but wasn't sure if they still were into the 70s/80s.

And of course the v6 history goes all the way back to the Marmon Wasp!

[voice_of_reason]

Okay... I cheated with Google, so far I have found...

"The last Offy to finish a race at Indianapolis powered Gary Bettenhausen from a starting position of 32nd to a 3rd place finish in 1980."

Still working on the last one entered.

One of the last two times I cried while at the Speedway. The last time was 1991 when Gary set the fastest speed in the field on the 30th anniversary of his dad's tragic death.