Williamsport, PA - September 14, 2005 - Lycoming Engines announced today that Jon Sharp, Nemesis NXT owner and pilot, would be racing in the Reno National Air Races equipped with a TIO-540-NXT engine, from Lycoming's Advanced Technology Center.
The Reno National Air Races are held in Reno, NV from September 14-18, 2005 and are the test-bed for cutting edge, advanced technological aircraft designs and engines. Competitions will be separated into six classes: Sport, Formula One, T-6, Jet, Biplane, and the Unlimited class. Jon will be competing in the sport class, with the goal of challenging Darryl Greenamyer, John Parker, and Kevin Eldredge for the Gold Championship.
"Nemesis will showcase not only a new paint scheme, but a new engine and new instrumentation in the cockpit. Our partnership with Lycoming has been awesome this past year with all their constant support for our team," states renowned race pilot, Jon Sharp.
Team Nemesis has been busy with fundamental flight tests throughout the year in preparation of the races.
"After last year's unfortunate and disappointing landing gear accident prior to the finals, the anticipation of Nemesis' performance this year has been even greater. We are proud and excited to be partnered with the Sharp's and their team," stated vice president and general manager, Ian Walsh. "There is a wonderful synergy between Reno, Nemesis and Lycoming because this event is all about technology, pilots and passion for aviation. Lycoming needs entrepreneurs like the Sharps and they need Lycoming to continually push and expand the limits of engine design and performance."
"The Lycoming New Product Development Group has been working very closely with Team Nemesis over the past year. Our focus has been to provide Jon with the engine technology, power, and reliability he needs to compete for the Sport Class Gold Championship, " added Ken Kremer, Engineering project leader. " We are all looking forward to an exciting and safe week of racing."
Lycoming is an operating division of Textron's Avco Corporation subsidiary, specializing in the manufacture and support of piston aircraft engines. More than half of the world's general aviation fleet -- both rotary-wing and fixed-wing -- is powered by Lycoming piston engines. Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company with 44,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com. An online press center can be found at www.lycomingpower.com/media.