Indy crews to show pit skill in challenge.

Twelve of the fastest pit crews in motorsport will challenge for bragging rights at Indianapolis Motor Speedway tonight [22 May], looking to take away the first-place trophy and $30,000 winner's cheque in the 27th annual Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge.

Since 1977, the Challenge has paired the finest pit crews and drivers - including ten Indianapolis 500 winners - in exciting head-to-head competition to determine the fastest pit crew at Indy for the year. In each round, the team must change all four tyres and make a simulated fuel hose connection to the car's fuel tank for a minimum of three seconds. The winner in each round is determined by the fastest time, and the onus is on crews to complete the stop without a rules infraction as time penalties can make the difference between victory and elimination.

The 2003 Challenge forms part of Miller Lite Carb Day activities and involves a four-round format. Eight teams go head-to-head, two at a time, in round one, while four teams get a bye take on the round one winners in the second round. The first-round pairings are as follows:

#24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (Robbie Buhl) vs. #52 Red Bull Cheever Racing (Buddy Rice)
#31 Kelley Racing (Al Unser Jr.) vs. #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing (Scott Dixon)
#15 Team Rahal (Kenny Brack) vs. #8 Kelley Racing (Scott Sharp)
#10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing (Tomas Scheckter) vs. #21 Mo Nunn Racing (Felipe Giaffone).

Teams that received a first-round bye and will compete in Round Two are the #7 Andretti Green Racing (Michael Andretti), #4 Panther Racing (Sam Hornish Jr), #3 Marlboro Team Penske (Helio Castroneves) and #11 Andretti Green Racing (Tony Kanaan) squads.

In 2002, Castroneves' Marlboro Team Penske crew won the competition, delivering Penske Racing its record seventh Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge victory. Three days later, Castroneves won his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 - a record 12th for Penske Racing.

To round out the entertainment, 1999 Indy winner Brack and his band - Kenny Brack and the Subwoofers - will form the opening act for the evening concert, with Virgin Music recording artists Cracker headlining the show. Admission is $10, with children aged five and under going free. All Miller Lite Carb Day activities are included in the ticket price.