Author Topic: F2G racing at Reno (Read 2202 times)

Widewing · « **Reply #15 on:** September 22, 2006, 12:48:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Stoney74

Just about all the Ponies blew up. I saw one merlin engine with a hole blown through the bottom of the case you could stick your foot in. Threw a rod or something. I guess that's what happens at 100+ manifold pressure...Rare Bear also blew a piston. Lots of metal in the engine--its trashed. They auctioned off the piston. Looked like somebody hit it on the edge with a sledge hammer.

This seems to be Rare Bears continuous fate. If it doen't blow up, it wins. It seems that in this case, it blew up in qualifying and never raced. This year's winning speed (September Fury, 482 mph) was well below what Rare Bear can do. Both Rare Bear and Dago Red have averaged better than 500 mph in past unlimited finals.

My regards,

Widewing

Stoney74 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 22, 2006, 06:07:52 PM »

Apparently Dago Red's owner wasn't going to race it this year. Another guy actually leased it for the race. $150,000 per engine (that's what I was told anyway) times two=$300,000 in blown engines and didn't even make the final. Must be nice to have that kind of money to throw around. Apparently Jack Rouch of NASCAR fame has his engine shop manufacturing Merlin engine parts for the P-51 racers. It hasn't turned out very well as there was a guy (P-51 team crew member) there wearing a t-shirt that said "Rouch doesn't know Jack about Merlin engines..."

Debonair · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2006, 10:23:20 PM »

it was probably not too bad a bet, given that plane's history as the fastest ever at Reno and how big the prize money is

g00b · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2006, 02:07:59 PM »

So is the NXT Nemesis going to finally challenge the warbirds? I've heard they can easily double the horsepower they had on tap (stock IO-540) to win the Gold Race this year, averaging 360 mph. If so, that should put it in the mid 400's easily. A super-modded Nemesis could concievably exceed 500 mph.

http://www.nemesisnxt.com/kit/index.php

http://www.nemesisnxt.com/kit/pr/pressreno2006.html

Mmmm, yummy.

Stoney74 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2006, 03:24:50 PM »

Nemesis finished 3rd in the sport Gold. I don't think you're going to see him in the unlimiteds. They were talking about dropping a custom built IO-720 in it next year, turning roughly 800 HP. That should be interesting.

g00b · « **Reply #20 on:** September 28, 2006, 03:34:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Stoney74
Nemesis finished 3rd in the sport Gold. I don't think you're going to see him in the unlimiteds. They were talking about dropping a custom built IO-720 in it next year, turning roughly 800 HP. That should be interesting.

Just FYI Nemesis took 1st place.

Quote from the press release:

"With only a stock Lycoming TIO540-NXT, Sharp took first place in the Gold Championship air race at Reno this year with a speed of 360 mph."

That's with about 300-400 horsepower. Doubling the horsepower should give at least 25% increase in speed. Which as I said puts it in the mid 400's, hanging right there with the warbirds.

Stoney74 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 28, 2006, 04:21:20 PM »

Well, you're right. I was there and thought Parker took 1st, with Von Grote in second after his penalty. I guess the beer was taking affect. Parker was actually blowing both of them away until his engine laid down on him.

Unless they add some weight to Nemesis, he won't fly unlimited. There's a 4500 lb minimum weight restriction.

g00b · « **Reply #22 on:** September 28, 2006, 04:44:06 PM »

Doh, forgot about the minimum weight thing. Is it even possible for Nemesis to fly at that weight?

Debonair · « **Reply #23 on:** September 28, 2006, 06:10:13 PM »

the web site for the kit you posted says max gross is 2600, but that would go up with a more powerful engine, probably it would need stronger gear. doesn't say what Vne is

Stoney74 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 29, 2006, 10:51:34 AM »

Lycoming O-720 weighs in approximately 120 pounds heavier than the 540. I didn't realize the Nemesis engine was stock. I know Van Groten's plane turns around 600 HP from its IO-540. Nemesis was in a solid third place before Parker's engine quit, and Van Groten cut the pylon. But, if he hot rods a IO-540, changes the aspiration, or puts in the 8 cylinder, he'll probably be much more competitive. Possibly even blow them away. I did see a reference to a "Super Sport" class for next year, but can't verify that. Maybe that's where the 8 cylinders are going. He revolutionized the formula 1 series with the original Nemesis, so I imagine that down the road, we'll see him get up front.