Greetings Paul,
We met and chatted in Oshkosh 2005 when I was working with Francois
Boudoux of Mistral Engines.
I race in the Sport Class at Reno Air Races and have for the last 7
years, coming in 4th in Gold in 2004.
After reading your article on "turbo compounding" the Wankel Rotary, and
studying your design for same AND then reading information on the web
site of "Ceramic Rotary Engines,Inc." using zerconia ceramic rotors and
cases, I became VERY excited!
I am sure you realize the implications this combo could make racing this
type of engine in the correct airframe at Reno!
Using a three rotor ceramic turbo compound boosted to 100' MAP could
easily make 1400 HP and think of the torque!!
The bonus is that NO cooling is required!!
After several years of trying to get the board of directors of the
"Sport Class Air Racing" division to approve a rotary engine, I finally,
after constant applications, was approved in 2004.
Now, this year,2007, the board established an "Unlimited" division
within the class. We will be racing on the 9.125 mile "Unlimited Course"
and be able to go to 1,000 CID on engines. the rotaries will have a 1.8
CUD handicap, but using a 3 rotor, it would be only 648CUD! Also, there
is NO restriction on using NOS, fuels,as long as they can be obtained on
the line, or additives.
This should be an INTERESTING year!
Paul, I would honor your thoughts along these lines?
Best Regards,
David Cronin
Race #1


I would start without the ceramic or the turbo compound.
Both are extremely expensive and very time consuming R&D projects on
their own. They are years away IMHO.

My guess is the engine competition is the Lyc O-720 a very expensive engine
indeed and the P&W R-985.  The Lyc O-720 crank
is marginal and may not allow much hop up. My guess is somewhere around
850 HP for a short while. Those should not be that hard to beat with
a turbo 3 rotor running on alcohol which will ease the cooling problems.
I would also use an air to ice water inter cooler as it will cut
cooling drag. Acetone and dry ice might be something to try.

Do you know of any other aircraft piston engines in this displacement class?
Not counting car engines as there are few around that will generate
this much power for long.

If you do find yourself in a dominate position sand bag as much
as possible because if you win they will change the rules to
handicap you.

A doubled up (thanks to Matt for this idea.) Ford six pinion PSRU will
have to be built and tested. Plenty of R&D on its own.

Jim Mederer of Racing Beat has a lot of experience with turbo 3 rotor
engines in this power range. Jim is also a pilot and owns a Glasair.

You are going to save a lot of money racing a three rotor.
You can buy two or three 3 rotors motors for what people spend
on turbo A/C engines. That should give you an advantage as you
could always have a spare at the ready. I'll crew for you :)
Sweep the floor whatever :)

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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