Last month we reviewed the International Formula 1, Biplanes
and T-6 classes from the 2014 National Championship Air Races held in Reno, NV.
This month, we will complete our review,
highlighting the Sport Class, Jets and Unlimited Division.
Sport
Class
This year, Jeff LaVelle broke two
records. In his Glasair III, Jeff broke his own record for Fastest
Qualifying time and in Heat 1A he broke the fastest time in the race also.
Not sure what magic Jeff has in that aircraft, but it sounds
awesome and looks great. And he is most likely not done tinkering yet. Always
looking to increase his speed by a knot or two, he is one of the reasons to
watch the Sport Class.
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| Jeff LaVelle does it again! |
Veteran Thunder Mustang Pilot, John Parker was nipping at his
heels, but was denied in the end with a mechanical and a DNS for the Final.
Gary Mead qualified fifth, but through luck and attrition,
ended up taking 2nd place. While Swiss Pilot, Peter Balmer qualified 8th in the only other Thunder
Mustang racing this year – he finished 3rd. It was one of those
years.
Sophomore, Andrew Findlay – sporting his new Sponsor Logo –
Stihl, Inc – the chainsaw
and power tool manufacturer, put up some great numbers and had a DNF during the
Gold – but it is nice to see a major sponsor in the Sport Class! Go Andrew!
Thanks, Stihl!
And, of course – the loss of Lee Behel is devastating to so many of us. He was a strong
leader for the Sport Class and will be missed by so many of us. Bob Mills has
moved into the President role of the Sport Class. Bob – you have VERY big shoes
to fill. Good luck – we’re all counting on you. ;-)
Jet
Class
The Jet Class has created a nice little village on the East
Side of the field. They now have their own VIP section and have created a fun
fan experience. I remember when they moved down to the other side, how the
naysayers thought this was the demise of the class – but turning lemons into
lemonade, they made the best of it.
Now they are the 2nd fastest growing class behind
the Sport Class. And building more fans every year, who knew!?
This year, in his grand finale, Phil Fogg qualified first and finished first in the Breitling Gold on Sunday. Phil is a true racer, having
started in the International Formula 1 class many – I mean a few - years ago.
Great send off, Phil – CONGRATS! It
won’t be the same without you!
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| Phil Fogg battling Rick Vandam - thanks to Roger Cain! |
Rick Vandam qualified and finished
2nd while Pete Zaccagnino, Jeff Turney, Mark Pracy and Sean
Cushing were trading places all week. The final had Pracy
beating out the others for third while Zac finished 4th and Rookie
Sean Cushing finished fifth.
One thing I wanted to bring up this year – we had 4 different
types of jets this year – including the usual L-39 Albatros, the L-29 Delfin, Lachie’s Iskra and Doug Matthews
joined us in his Marchetti this year. While she wasn’t
fast, she made for interesting viewing. Thanks, Doug!
Unlimited
Division
Drumroll please… We now finish out the review with the fan
favorite – Unlimited Division. While we had a smaller field than usual this year
– the major players were all in attendance. Strega,
Voodoo, Rare Bear, 232, Czech Mate, Dreadnaught and Precious Metal were all in
attendance and ALL had the chance to win it all – depending on attrition, of
course.
Voodoo did it again. Bob Button has put together a winning
team with Stevo Hinton, Bill Kerchenfaut, JC Calkins, Mike
Wilton, his son Dave Wilton, Steve Lamb, Michael Luvara, Bernie Vasquez, Rod Jackson, Jason Schillereff, Joel Policar, Ray
Studniarz, Cecil Padilla, Tim McGahey, John Bond and Frank Young. And don’t forget – Tommy
Gardner! (Did I remember everyone?) They made it look easy. They made it look
fun!
What is next for Voodoo? There are rumors about going for
some records, including the 3KM and the Time to Climb. If we hear anything more
concrete, we will share the news as permitted.
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| Winner and Still Champion! |
Strega qualified on her Ferry
Engine – while Tiger paced the ramp waiting for the race engine delivery. He
flew better than most people expected him to – (that’ll show ‘em, Tiger) – but was DQ’d on
Saturday by the Contest Committee for “not maintaining course altitude”.
If you remember from some of my earlier writings – since the
tragedy of 2011, the course altitude is now 250’ – and Tiger – while moving from
last to first, raised it up well over the designated 250’ceiling. Once the race
was over, he ended up with a Mayday and was no longer able to race – but if you
talk with anyone in attendance that day .. that was THE BEST
RACE EVER!
Another unfortunate finish was perennial bridesmaid, Hoot
Gibson in 232. Who doesn’t love 232? But the last two years have not been kind
to her, or Hoot or their fans. This year, she didn’t even make it to Qualifying.
The rumor is 232 is for sale. There is so much potential in that aircraft – if
you want to be in the Gold – this might be the race plane for you.
Rare Bear started out looking great. Stewart Dawson qualified
second and finished his first 2 races in a strong 2nd place. But then
– again – on Sunday – we witnessed the dreaded DNF/Mayday. Rare Bear is taking
longer to work out the kinks than anyone expected. We can only hope that her
owner, Rod Lewis, doesn’t lose interest. Fingers crossed!
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| Rare Bear was holding steady in 2nd place – until the Mayday |
Czech Mate, the Giant Killer – was back in her top form this
year. John Moore, LD Hughes and team plus Race Pilot, Sherman Smoot worked hard
over the off –season and brought back a contender. Czech qualified in 3rd,
finished the next 2 races in third (even after a pylon cut and a 12 second
penalty). However, when it all counted – Sherman finished 2nd.
Congrats to the entire team!
Dreadnaught, the jewel of the Sanders Racing Family,
qualified 4th and ended up in 3rd on the final day due to lots of DQs
and DNFs, etc.
Their Bristol Centaurus powered Sea Fury was flown by Korey
Wells and Brian Sanders. 924 Qualified 7th and continued to be
competitive in the Silver. She was then bumped to the Gold on Sunday to finish
in 7th again.
And of course, Argonaut was flown by Mark Watt. Mark
qualified in 8th place and after flying in the Silver, again bumped
to the Gold on Sunday. He ended up with a DNF/Mayday in Sunday’s Gold. A very
interesting Mayday – to say the least - as Stewart Dawson was making his way to
Runway 14, Mark pulled off and headed to the not so great Runway 18. Breathe.
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| Czech Mate - 2nd Place |
Sawbones was flown again this year by Commander Curt Brown
and he had some great flights. Qualifying 5th, he ended up in
4th on Sunday – right behind Dreadnaught.
If you’re doing the math, that is FIVE Sea Furys: Dreadnaught, 924, Argonaut, 232, and Sawbones – with
four different power plants 4360, Centaurus, 2800 and 3350. Now how is that for
trivia?
Rod Lewis’ team brought La Patrona
again – his spectacular Silver Tigercat. We were all
hoping to see Rod back in the seat, but we were not disappointed to see Stewart
Dawson pulling double duty and racing the Tigercat and
the Bearcat. Nice work, Stewart!
Sparky and The Rebel were our only Stock P-51 Mustangs this
year. Brant Seghetti and Doug Matthews (with a few
flights by John Currenti) were there for the stocker
fans. I remember not too many years ago we had several beautiful P-51s. I hope
we see those days again soon.
Jim Tobul was our Rookie in
Unlimited this year. He brought his unbelievably beautiful Corsair, Korean War
Hero. He is based on the East Coast and does a number of Airshows each with
Scott Yoak in Quicksilver – Scott’s P-51. (Side note:
We’d love to get you to Reno too, Scooter!)
Jim and his crew were treated to a great learning experience
this year and we certainly hope to see them again next year!
And finally, we have Precious Metal. The buzz for this
aircraft is she has a ton of potential – but the team just needs to iron out a few
things. This year, pilot – Thom Richard – wasn’t able to qualify due to an
early Mayday. He then had to start at the back and work his way up.
He easily handled the two stockers and the Corsair in the Bronze Heat – moving
him to the Silver. They finished 1st in the Silver on Saturday and
bumped to the Gold for Sunday.
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| Night Runs are ALWAYS EXCITING! |
Unfortunately, the course rules came down and ruined their
race – having finished third on the course, Thom was DQ’d for breaking the Showline on
the East Side. I remember in 2007 when Matt Jackson in Dreadnaught was surprised
to learn that he had broken the Showline and was
disqualified also.
While truly a miserable way to end the Race – Thom wasn't the
first and certainly won’t be the last to be bitten by the Rules.
Tiger was DQ’d for flying too high,
2 Biplanes and an IF1 racer were DQ’d for flying too
low. As long as there are rules, there will be infractions and those infractions
lead to upsetting results for some.
Many of us were disappointed in the Social Media attack from
the some fans. During a time when our beloved Reno Air Races are on
steep and uncertain footing – threatening boycotts isn't really helping anyone.
I hope we can all put the disappointments aside and work together to make a
wonderful show in 2015.
Final thoughts…
There are so many racers for sale right now. If you are
interested in getting involved … as a Racer, Crew Member or an Owner – get in
touch with someone who races or contact me through my blog or through Facebook.
Let’s remember to fly fast, turn left – and fly not too high,
and not too low.
Thanks, EVERYONE, for a great year!
Marilyn Dash
Pylon Place
Warbird Fotos