Another Race, Another Record, Another Championship for Jon Sharp

Reno, Nevada - Sept. 20, 2009 - Jon Sharp completed an astounding run at the 46th Annual Reno National Championship Air Races by setting a new course record in the Super Sport Class Gold Heat. It was the fifth straight day of record-setting speeds for the Sharp's NemesisNXT and his fourth straight air race national championship.

"My Lycoming Thunderbolt Engine roared to life," Sharp said, "so I just held on and let it rip!"

Sharp, of Mojave, Calif., won the championship by averaging a class race record 407.061 mph over the 8-mile course. In each heat Sharp flew progressively faster, setting new course marks each time out. He had previously set the record for qualifying speed (412.554 mph) and he remains the only Sport Class competitor to surpass the 400-mph mark.

In winning the Gold Heat race -- his 15th -- Sharp also set a new record for Gold Championships.

"Jon's many aviation achievements clearly put him in a class by himself," said Jeff Schans, Lycoming Thunderbolt manager. "Achieving this kind of jet-like performance with a piston engine is a tribute to the engineers and builders of Lycoming Thunderbolt engines and to Jon's incredible skills as a pilot and airframer."

"We really want to extend our warmest thanks to all who make this happen from the guys on the floor to the engineers to the people who have supported us," Sharp said. "We're just really proud to fly the flag for the Thunderbolt."

In the Gold Heat, Sharp defeated his next closest competitor by nearly 20 mph. Kevin Eldredge of San Luis Obispo, Calif., also flying a Lycoming-powered NemesisNXT, clocked in at 387.839 mph.

Thunderbolt engines provide custom solutions that meet the demands of aerobatic and experimental pilots, and customers who want additional horsepower or capability from their engines. Sharp is one of several world-class aviators who fly the engines, including Michael Goulian and Matt Chapman.

Thunderbolt engines exemplify the innovative spirit of Lycoming's Advanced Technology Center (ATC) as well as its goal to provide multiple engine configuration options, based on the specific needs of individual aircraft builders. Product offerings include engines ranging from the rugged O-235 to the legendary IO-720. Customers can choose from a variety of available fuel systems, ignition systems and performance enhancements including component balancing, cylinder flow matching, increased compression, tuned induction and turbo-charging. Finishing options include chrome and custom colors.

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