Galmer
Encyclopedia
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
.
The Galmer chassis program came at a time in the CART series when interest in in-house chassis development was at its peak. It followed in the footsteps of Penske and Truesports
, who also had similar programs.
The name "Galmer" is a portmanteau
of the surname
s of Rick Galles and Alan Mertens.
Its most notable accomplishment was Al Unser Jr.'s win in 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 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.
Though it was not openly revealed at the time, the decision for Galles Racing
to shelf the Galmer project was made on the morning of the 1992 Indianapolis 500
. The same race that Unser, Jr. went on to win.
Due to the proximity of the transponder, Unser, Jr.'s official race-winning margin of 0.043 seconds over Scott Goodyear
in the 1992 Indianapolis 500 was deemed inconclusive. After further consideration, USAC officials calculated the true margin of victory to be narrower, at 0.0331 seconds. The official margin, however, would remain in the record book.
After the 1992 season was over, Valvoline purchased the race-winning Galmer chassis driven by Unser, Jr. On frequent occasions, it is used for display at various engagements.
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
competition and the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
. The cars were commissioned by the Galles Racing
Galles Racing
Galles Racing is a former auto racing team owned by Rick Galles that competed in the CART series, Can-Am and Indy Racing League, winning the 1990 CART Championship and 1992 Indianapolis 500 with driver Al Unser, Jr..-Early years:...
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
Bicester
Bicester is a town and civil parish in the Cherwell district of northeastern Oxfordshire in England.This historic market centre is one of the fastest growing towns in Oxfordshire Development has been favoured by its proximity to junction 9 of the M40 motorway linking it to London, Birmingham and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The Galmer chassis program came at a time in the CART series when interest in in-house chassis development was at its peak. It followed in the footsteps of Penske and Truesports
Truesports
Truesports was an automobile racing team founded by Jim Trueman based in Hilliard, Ohio. The team is best known for winning the 1986 Indianapolis 500 and back-to-back CART championships in 1986 and 1987....
, who also had similar programs.
The name "Galmer" is a portmanteau
Portmanteau word
A portmanteau or portmanteau word is a blend of two words or morphemes into one new word. A portmanteau word typically combines both sounds and meanings, as in smog, coined by blending smoke and fog. More generally, it may refer to any term or phrase that combines two or more meanings...
of the surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
s of Rick Galles and Alan Mertens.
Its most notable accomplishment was Al Unser Jr.'s win in the 1992 Indianapolis 500
1992 Indianapolis 500
The 76th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, 1992. The race is famous for the fierce battle in the closing laps, as race winner Al Unser, Jr...
in the closest finish in race history. One other CART race was won with the chassis by Danny Sullivan
Danny Sullivan
Daniel John "Danny" Sullivan III is a former racing driver from the United States. He is best known for winning the 1985 Indianapolis 500.-Before racing:...
in 1992. In 1993 the car was used on a part-time basis by Dominic Dobson
Dominic Dobson
Dominic Dobson is a German-born former CART and Craftsman Truck Series driver who made 7 starts in the Indianapolis 500 with a best finish of 12th in 1992, over 60 starts in the CART , with a best finish of 3rd at the Michigan 500 in 1994...
. 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.
Though it was not openly revealed at the time, the decision for Galles Racing
Galles Racing
Galles Racing is a former auto racing team owned by Rick Galles that competed in the CART series, Can-Am and Indy Racing League, winning the 1990 CART Championship and 1992 Indianapolis 500 with driver Al Unser, Jr..-Early years:...
to shelf the Galmer project was made on the morning of the 1992 Indianapolis 500
1992 Indianapolis 500
The 76th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, 1992. The race is famous for the fierce battle in the closing laps, as race winner Al Unser, Jr...
. The same race that Unser, Jr. went on to win.
Nostalgia
The Galmer chassis had one unique characteristic compared to its chassis counterparts in the CART series in 1992. It was standard for all cars to mount their scoring transponder in the left side pod of the car. The Galmer chassis, however, did not have room in that location. The cars of Unser, Jr. and Sullivan instead had the transponders placed in the nosecone of the car.Due to the proximity of the transponder, Unser, Jr.'s official race-winning margin of 0.043 seconds over Scott Goodyear
Scott Goodyear
Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994...
in the 1992 Indianapolis 500 was deemed inconclusive. After further consideration, USAC officials calculated the true margin of victory to be narrower, at 0.0331 seconds. The official margin, however, would remain in the record book.
After the 1992 season was over, Valvoline purchased the race-winning Galmer chassis driven by Unser, Jr. On frequent occasions, it is used for display at various engagements.