Ilmore's Andy Gryczan
Off Track with Hinch and Rossi
Off Track with Hinch and Rossi Apr 1, 2026
Ilmore's Andy Gryczan

Ilmore's Andy Gryczan

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26:51
Ilmore's Andy Gryczan
Company

Ilmore Engineering

Ilmore Engineering is a company that works on race-car technology. In this episode, they’re talking about how Ilmore fits into IndyCar engine building and how it compares to bigger teams.

Concept

Indy car space

“Indy car space” means the world of IndyCar racing. It includes the teams and companies that build the engines and race cars for that series.

Concept

several iterations of that engine

They’re talking about the same basic engine being updated multiple times. Racing teams do this to improve power, reliability, or to match new rules. So the engine “evolves” rather than staying exactly the same.

Term

V8 naturally aspirated

A naturally aspirated V8 is an engine that doesn’t use a turbo or supercharger. It makes power by breathing air through the engine normally. That usually means the response and tuning feel different than forced-induction engines.

Honda engine
Car

Honda engine

They’re saying the race car used an engine built by Honda. That matters because the engine supplier strongly influences how the car performs and how it’s developed. Later, the story shifts when Chevrolet returns with a new engine spec.

Brand

Honda

Honda is the brand that provided the earlier engine setup for the race car. The team worked with Honda through a joint venture, and that shaped how the car was built and tuned. Later, Chevrolet comes back and the program shifts.

Concept

Formula One

Formula One is the highest level of open-wheel racing in the world. Here, they’re saying Ilmore has experience building engines for that kind of top-tier racing.

Company

GM

GM is General Motors, a major automaker. In this episode, they’re described as the partner providing support tools like simulation, while Ilmore focuses on engine technical work.

Concept

chassis and aero development

Chassis and aero development are about making the car (or race vehicle) handle well and move efficiently through the air. Here, they’re saying GM supports those areas, and Ilmore focuses on engines.

Concept

assigned personnel at the track

They’re describing how race teams staff their weekends. Instead of everyone doing everything, certain experts are assigned—some from GM and some from Ilmore—to handle their specific areas.

Brand

Chevrolet

Chevrolet is a GM brand. The episode is saying that if a team is Chevrolet-branded, Ilmore provides the engine technical support for that team.

Concept

simulation side

The “simulation side” refers to using computer models to predict performance and guide engineering decisions before (and sometimes during) track sessions. In racing, simulation can cover everything from engine behavior to vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic effects, helping teams iterate faster than testing alone.

Concept

software side

The software side is the computer work behind racing—analyzing data and helping the team make the car behave the way they want. It often ties into engine settings and how the car responds.

Concept

aerodynamics

Aerodynamics is the study of how air flows around the car, which directly impacts downforce, drag, and stability. In racing, aerodynamic development often works alongside mechanical setup (like suspension) to produce predictable handling at different speeds and track conditions.

Term

engine has been around since 2012

They’re saying the same basic engine design has been used since 2012. That usually means teams have a lot of experience with it and can improve it over time.

Concept

performance and reliability

“Performance and reliability” is the central motorsports tradeoff: pushing power and efficiency while ensuring the engine and systems survive race conditions. The fact that the speaker pairs them suggests the engine platform has managed both over a long period.

Brand

Chevy

Chevy (Chevrolet) is the other manufacturer mentioned in the comparison. The point is that the engines from each company evolved differently and affected performance.

Concept

Indy 500

The Indy 500 is a huge race held at Indianapolis. Racing teams focus a lot of their work on it because it’s one of the biggest tests of speed and reliability all year.

Concept

pits

The pits are where the race team goes to work on the car during the event. They use it to make changes and keep track of what the car is doing.

Concept

engine and hybrid

This is about how the gas engine and the electric parts work together. How they coordinate can change how the car feels when you accelerate and how it recovers energy when slowing down.

Concept

pit lane speed limiter

In the pit lane, there’s usually a system that limits how fast the car can go. It’s there for safety, and it can affect how efficiently you get through the pits.

Term

shifts

Shifts are when the car changes gears. If they happen at the right time and smoothly, the car accelerates better and feels easier to drive fast.

Concept

engine issue

An engine issue is when something goes wrong with the engine that can hurt power or reliability. If it rarely happens, it means the car is usually running strong when it matters.

Concept

F1

F1 is Formula 1, the top level of open-wheel racing. The speaker is comparing how F1’s power/energy systems deliver performance compared to the system they’re discussing.

Concept

lap time

Lap time is how long it takes to complete one full lap on the track. If lap times get better after a change, it usually means the car is working better.

Concept

engine dynos

An engine dyno is a machine that runs the engine on a stand while measuring how much power it makes. Teams use it to test updates safely before taking the car to the track.

Concept

V8 or a V10 F1 car

They’re talking about older F1 engine types that used V8 or V10 layouts. Those engines had a very recognizable sound that fans loved.

Term

visceral experience

They mean a reaction you feel in your body—like being impressed or excited right away. In this case it’s the engine sound and smell that makes people react instantly.

Concept

keyboard warriors

This is slang for people who argue a lot on the internet. The speaker is saying some online fans act like you’re “less than” if you don’t focus on F1.

Concept

more power

“More power” means the car can produce more force to go faster. In racing, that usually helps with acceleration and overall speed, but it also changes how the car behaves.

Concept

everything lighter

Making the car lighter helps it accelerate and stop better. It can also make the car feel more responsive and easier to drive fast.

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