From the Owner, Chris Smith's Point of View 

 

Elan Power products was founded in 1998 by Don Panoz to build, develop, support and service the engines for the Panoz LMP program. Elan Power Products (EPP) engineers and staff simultaneously built a world class facility. While spooling up quickly to supply engines to Panoz LMP cars around the world. I joined the staff in March of 2000.

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The first few years were primarily focused on the Panoz factory team. With their success, teams from around the world came calling and the thunder of the Panoz style V8 spread to other chassis. We also quickly developed a Ferrari V-12 that was a thorn in the GM side.

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The EPP brand took on additional Panoz projects including Trans-Am and the Esperante GTLM that ended up as a Sebring and Le Mans class winner.

For these projects I was deep into the cylinder head development and a leader in the assembly shop as a foreman. EPP was then under the leadership of Derick Peacock.

 

Derick taught me how to think on a macro level and always desperately try an understand any trickle-down effect of any change. Chip Lewis was a young engineer in the program and developed many of the parts and electronic systems. My time looking over Chip’s shoulder turned out to be invaluable.

 

My role at EPP was increasing each year and I was lead on several successful projects including ARCA and Craftsman Truck V8 programs. I enjoyed the challenge and learned quite a bit on how to manage a program, sales and customer relations.

 

By the time 2008 rolled around I had assumed leadership of EPP. We had a great staff and facility so the transition was smooth. I empowered our staff to increase their role and we developed much more of a team effort atmosphere. Everyone was trusted and their opinion was of high value.

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The next ten years flew by in a blur. We really expanded our customer base and learned to quickly adapt to new engine platforms and rules. In those years we won numerous national championships, over thirty series championships and several hundred national and global event wins. Those wins were with several different engine platforms. From 4-cylinder NA, 4-cylinder turbo, V-8 pushrod, V-8 overhead cam, V-10 plus a few more. Elan Power Products was winning.

 

In 2020 I worked with the Panoz family to buy Elan Power Products. We appreciate this opportunity and look forward to continuing what Don started in 1999.

I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the opportunity that Don Panoz gave me in 2000. He thrust us into racing at the highest level and  required us to be successful.

 

Everything we do at Elan Power will be in memory of Don Panoz.