Team Rahal Chooses Mazak CNC's for Success Team Rahal Chooses Mazak CNC's for Success
Bobby Rahal Uses Winning Mazak Technology to Succeed
"This is our business," says world-class IndyCar racing driver Bobby Rahal of the operations at Team Rahal Racing. He's not just talking about tweaking cars. He's talking about what he describes 
as "rebuilding" them. Working to make them not just better, but to make them superior to the others on the track. It's a business that's full of CAD/CAM and machine tools, as well as high-velocity thinking. (Check out Bobby's Mazak Hat!)
Since 1993, Team Rahal has used both Mazak CNC machinery and Mazak manufacturing know-how to re-think and to re-build the science of racing. "That's the way it is with racing. We make components, test, make a change, test again, make another change. The Mazak machines are precisely what we need to move fast on every new idea, every revision, every replacement," says Rahal.
Mazak Technology In High Gear
Three Mazak CNC machines-- a Super Quick Turn 15MY (multitasking lathe with milling and Y-axis), a VTC-16A vertical machining center, and a VTC-16B vertical machining center are the foundation of this technical partnership. The Mazaks machine the structural parts of the chassis that 
are custom-tuned for the 16 races, each race with a unique course ranging from large and small ovals to city streets. For example, the front wings on the racing vehicles are changed depending on the nature of the course, and, too, they often become damaged during racing. With a single set of wings costing approximately $20,000 from outside vendors, it doesn't take long for their price to add up and to put an average race team in the red. "Thanks to the Mazak," Rahal comments, "we are able to make our own wings...We want to win, and to do that we must constantly develop."
Another real-life example. A few years back, when the team decided to go from Chevy to Honda power, it was necessary to make some modifications so that the Honda engine would mount correctly in the chassis. It was determined that a rigid bridge plate was neccessary between the 
engine and the gearbox. "Without our machining capability," Rahal says, "we would design the part here and then job the part out...Anytime you job a part out, there is additional lead-time rerquired. There is also a problem when changes need to be made [when jobbing out]. There's nothing like having the machines here [in the Rahal shop] and knowing what your capabilities are."
See Bobby Go for the Checkered Flag!
This technology partnership between Team Rahal and Mazak Corporation means that together, both will experience success. Be sure to see Bobby run hard for each checkered flag in a race car that Mazak helped produce. Below is Team Rahal's remaining race schedule for 1996. Tune in and see us together in the winner's circle!!
Mazak Sponsors NASCAR'S Rusty Wallace, TOO!! See how Team Penske uses Mazak CNC's to win!
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