Andrea Toso Wins 2014 BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The 48th annual BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award has been presented to Andrea Toso for the Dallara INDYCAR Simulator. Toso is the Head of Research and Development and U.S. Racing Business Leader for Dallara. This is Toso's second Louis Schwitzer Award.

Installed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this spring, the INDYCAR Simulator allows drivers and teams to quickly and cost-effectively evaluate the on-track performance of new race car components and system designs. The simulator consists of a patented 4-meter OD motion platform containing the cockpit from a Dallara Automobili DW12 race car complete with full driver controls, active seat belts, 180-degree video screen, Dolby^® surround audio system, and realistic sound and heat generators. Patented 60-inch carbon struts move the platform to simulate actual on-track vehicle motion based on laser scan track profile and vehicle model inputs. The motion, audio and video are all controlled by Dallara-developed software.

Presented by engineers to engineers, the BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award recognizes individuals for innovation and engineering excellence in race car design associated with the annual Indianapolis 500. The winners are honored at an awards banquet, and their names are immortalized on the Schwitzer trophy on permanent display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. The $10,000 award is sponsored by BorgWarner and presented to the winning engineer(s) by the Indiana Section of SAE International.

Established in 1967, the award memorializes Louis Schwitzer, an automotive pioneer, engineer and professional race car driver. Schwitzer won the first auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1909 and designed the "Marmon Yellow Jacket" engine that powered the Marmon Wasp to victory at the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. After working in the automotive industry for many years, Louis founded Schwitzer Corporation, which produced innovative cooling fans, water pumps and turbochargers. Schwitzer Corporation joined BorgWarner in 1999. Throughout his career, Louis enjoyed numerous technological accomplishments, supported higher education, led the IMS technical committee and maintained a strong association with SAE.

As a global powertrain supplier, BorgWarner continues Louis Schwitzer's legacy of technology leadership as the official turbocharger supplier of the Verizon IndyCar^® Series. The engine of every car in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 will be boosted by BorgWarner's line of EFR (for "Engineered For Racing") turbochargers. Built for reliable and powerful performance, EFR turbochargers feature Gamma TiAl (titanium aluminide) turbine wheels, ceramic ball bearings and stainless steel turbine housings.

About BorgWarner

BorgWarner Inc. BWA is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for powertrains around the world. Operating manufacturing and technical facilities in 60 locations in 19 countries, the company delivers innovative powertrain solutions to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance performance. For more information, please visit borgwarner.com.

IndyCar (and Design) are registered trademarks of Brickyard Trademarks, Inc., used with permission. Verizon is a registered trademark of Verizon Communications Inc., used with permission.

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SOURCE BorgWarner Inc.