Will Power The Team’s Modified Lancair 360 In The 2006 Reno Air Races

Superior Air Parts, a division of Thielert AG, tells ANN that the Unleashed Racing Team has selected the brand new 400 cubic inch XP-400 Engine to power their modified Lancair 360 Sports Class racer in this year’s Reno Air Races. Superior announced the availability of the new XP-400 Engine in early April.

"We are extremely pleased that the Unleashed Racing Team has selected our brand new engine for this year’s race," explained Timothy T. Archer, Superior’s President and CEO. "Like all of Superior’s products, the XP-400 sets new standards for design, quality and innovation."
 
"Racing is all about innovation and bringing something new to the table," added Scotty G, the team’s pilot and owner.

"Superior’s XP-400 Engine follows that formula. With 400 cubic inches and more horsepower, the engine is ideal for Sports Class racing at my level. I really can’t wait to get it mounted on the airplane and see what it can do."
 
While 2006 will be Germain’s sophomore year at the Reno Air races, he has been a race team crewmember, race photographer and reporter since 1986. When he’s not racing, Germain is a First Officer flying the Airbus A319 and A320 for US Airways.
 
"In the Sports Class I am one of the last of the ‘low cost’ racers to get involved," Germain continued. "Just like every other sport aircraft owner/builder, we’re looking for more power, performance and reliability at a reasonable acquisition and operating cost. The XP-400 represents a great solution for us."
 
The XP-400 Engine that will power Unleashed in 2006 features all of Superior’s industry-leading engine design and manufacturing advancements including a counter-weighted version of the recently introduced proprietary ESR (Electro Slag Remelt) crankshaft and advanced roller lifters and camshafts. It will also have angle-valve cylinders with bigger valves for better breathing and more fin area for better cooling.
 
"Basically we will start with the ‘stock’ XP-400 Engine and work with Scotty and his engineers to see how we can modify the engine to give him not only all the horsepower he’s looking for but also ensure that the engine will withstand the rigors of air racing," Archer added. "Frank (Thielert, President and CEO of Superior’s parent company Thielert AG) and I made the announcement at (Lakeland) that we were committed to proving our advanced engine designs and manufacturing technologies at Reno just like Thielert has done with Formula One auto racing. We think Unleashed and their Lancair 360 is the ideal team to go racing with."

FMI: www.superiorairparts.com