Roush Yates develops twin turbo V6 Ford engine for ALMS
The engine project, under development for the past 18 months in association with Project Libra based here, received significant Roush Yates in-house engineering and dynamometer testing and analysis. It was with great satisfaction to all involved to at last witness the car and engine package on the race track for the first time earlier this month.
The Roush Yates/Project Libra developmental collaboration to design, produce, install, and complete a successful first on-track test of the engine – covering some 200 track miles with no issues – was a triumph for the entire group.
The substantially revised Radical LMP2 offered a well-proven chassis true to cost cap regulations. With the addition of the new engine, this also marks a milestone for a Roush Yates engine entry into the American Le Mans Series Championship.
"We are extremely pleased to be able to showcase the advancement of our skills, personnel, and technologies in entering the American Le Mans Series," said John Maddox, Roush Yates Sports Car Program Manager. "The collaborative effort with Project Libra is an opportunity for us to introduce our Ford-based race engine into competition with a partner that has as much devotion and interest in achieving success as we at Roush Yates.
"Roush Yates Engines is proud to support many series with Ford-based racing engines," Maddox added. "This project is the latest of many that are focused on the grassroots and privateer market."
Project Libra, motivated by the collaboration with the Doug Yates-led company, as well as the engineering input from both parties to see the all-new 3.2L V6 Twin Turbo engine turn a wheel for the first time, looks forward to a long and successful Roush Yates association. Having stayed true to one of the most genuine cost capped concept cars built – the Radical LMP2 – Project Libra continues to upgrade and develop what was originally a very fast and reliable design, which showcases Radical race chassis' global presence.
The use of the Roush Yates 3.2L V6 Twin Turbo engine will afford Project Libra the ability to demonstrate what opportunities the team has uncovered in private testing with a competitive and cost effective engine option in the now growing LMP2 category.
Testing will continue at NCCAR, Project Libra's base of operations, to prepare for the March 17th "12 Hours of Sebring" followed by a full entry in the 2012 American Le Mans Series Championship. Project Libra also intends to have a second Radical chassis race ready by May in time for the ALMS event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Ca.