The liquid cooled Chev small block based V12 Thunder Mustang
qualified first at 349.5 MPH. That should help slightly the acceptance of 
liquid cooled engines for experimental aircraft. It did not win
The Gold race but I suspect they burned a valve or something as they 
were checking the compression on Saturday afternoon.


Nemesis NXT qualified third at 324.8 MPH which is not bad for a brand new 
airplane and engine. With a few improvements to the intercooler and
oil cooling it should do much better next year. IMHO Lycoming is just getting
started. They have what they are calling an "Electric" engine in the works
with electronic fuel injection and ignition just like we are using. In fact they
are using Nipon Denso injectors :) More pictures of the Lycoming "Electric" engine
later. If this engine is successful this too should help the acceptance of 
the rotary slightly. Note the 90 degree injection angle into the intake
runner. Even Lycoming makes mistakes :)

The aircraft engine builders are rapidly integrating automotive technology
into their aircraft engines.


I think Dave Leonard could qualify his turbo rotary powered RV6 if he wished 
and if they would let him. At the Reno race altitude of 5000 feet he should 
do better than 220 MPH.
 
Paul Lamar
 
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