Sport Class
A cast of thousands brought their brightly colored Sport
Class Racers to Stead this year – or so it seemed. There were enough aircraft
to produce 4 Races – Gold, Silver, Bronze and Medallion. And each Heat produced
great racing – which really helped keep the fans engaged.
Over 40 racers registered, 37 showed up and 36 actually
qualified. Bob Mills had a Mayday during
a practice flight in the Thunder Mustang – Clas Thunder – which ended his week
early. At least in the Sport Class. But, as he is Sport Class President and was
also racing in the Jet Class this year, he was quite busy all week. Go Bob!
Let’s review some of the highlights from the Sport Class
week. The fastest RV or Rocket driver was Bill Beaton. A Canadian in his second
year at Reno. He gained 10 mph over his Rookie year and flew a great line. He
ended up fourth in the Silver. Nicely done, Bill!
One-off designs this year included the NXT Relentless flown
by Kevin Eldredge. Not his fastest year, but a beautiful platform. Now they
just need to figure out the right power plant and they will be back in the
hunt. His top speed this year around 310 mph doesn’t come close to his best
year – 2009 – at just over 393 mph.
Klaus Savier brought his Canard Savier EZ back this year -
topping out at around 265 mph. It was the only “pusher” in the field and it
definitely caught your attention. Klaus uses this aircraft as a test bed for
his Light Speed Engineering Company. He has made so many changes to his Long-EZ,
his speed has increased from 183 to that 265 mph he saw this year. Bravo,
Klaus!
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| Dave Morss in Bill Hudgens’ Beautiful Doll Credit: Anthony Taylor |
And another crowd favorite this year was Beautiful Doll
flown by Air Racing veteran, Dave Morss. Doll is a Stewart S-51 using a 454 big
block geared down Chevy engine. Approximately 70% all metal replica of the
iconic P-51 Mustang. This one is painted
in the same scheme as Big Beautiful Doll.
While she was slow… she was adorable and had an awesome
sound. I hope the owner, Bill Hudgens, enjoyed himself enough to bring her back
– and maybe even race her himself. Or, let Dave Morss fly her again! Either way
– win/win for the fans!
Now for the winner
John Parker WON!
John is a Racer, through and through, with a long history at
the Reno Air Races. After being placed on reserve status from the Air Force in
1965, he began helping friends build their F1 racing engines and quickly
developed a passion for the sport of Air Racing.
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| The Winners! John Parker and Blue Thunder II Credit: Anthony Taylor |
He started American Air Racing in 1967 to further progress
that passion. John is an Aeronautical
Engineer, a retired Airline Captain, a test pilot, air race pilot, experimental
aircraft builder, A&P and IA.
He won the F1 class in 1977, 1978 and 1980 with his custom
built racer, American Air Racing Special. This aircraft currently lives in
Oshkosh at the EAA Museum.
In 1988, he became the third person to enter a custom built
racer in the Unlimited Class.
In 2007, he saw his beautiful, Blue Thunder, engulfed in
flames after a brake fire. This happened only a week or so before the races
that year. Most people would have thrown in the towel. But not John. He started
building Blue Thunder II immediately.
He is a fixture at Stead Field and hosts the annual Thunder
Mustang fly-in at his hangar during race week. On the exterior, you’d think he
was a bit of a curmudgeon – but John is a sweetheart. He is always available to
help another racer out. Congrats, John!
I should also mention that the racing was unbelievably
competitive this year in the Sport Gold. Behind John Parker, there were a host
of talented and fast racers taking aim at the prize. Lynn Farnsworth, David
Sterling, Gary Mead, Andrew Findley, and Vince Walker were all so competitive.
The final sequence was John, Lynn, Andrew and then Gary, Kevin Eldredge (who
found power over the week) and Vince taking the top 6 slots with Vicky Benzing
and Colleen Keller placing 7th and 8th in a tight race.
David Sterling DNF’d the flight – but I’ll bet he’ll be back.
Speaking of fast..
The Jets
The fastest racing aircraft on the field are the Jets. The
class still consists of mostly L-39 Albatros, but throw in a few L-29 Delfins,
one TS-11 Iskra, a one of a kind L-139 and a super-fast DH-115 Vampire and you
have one heck of a group of racers.
Several years ago, the Jets were moved down to the far side
of the ramp. At the time, we had limited room on the field and there was room
on that side, so it made sense. The class could have taken this as a
banishment. But, they didn’t. They ended up relishing in the extra room and
really made a fun, competitive environment.
Seriously, if you haven’t been down there, you’re missing
heaps of fun. The crews and the pilots all seem to get along great and have
more fun than any other class – maybe.
This year, the fun in the pits was matched by the speed on
the course. Rick Vandam in American Spirit, Sean Cushing in Fast Company and
Pete Zaccagnino in the Vampire traded places at the top of the rankings, with
Pete and that wild Vampire taking it all and going over 500 mph in the final
race.
Pete is a well-known pilot and TV Star. A member of the
Dangerous Flights cast from Discovery Channel, Pete has earned quite a fan
club. He has flown over 240 different types of aircraft, and has crossed the
North Atlantic over 600 times and the Pacific over 200 times – all in light
aircraft. He is definitely hanging with a different crowd, being stopped in his
hometown at the Sundance Film Festival for an autograph.
Joe Gano added a 7th lap to the six lap race. The
announcers and fans enjoyed it more than anyone else. They had a bit of fun
with it – comments like “not a lot of wake turbulence on this lap” and “plenty
of room to pass now” made it so much fun. He’s not the first to add a lap or
two – and he likely won’t be the last.
And David “Killer” Culler was named Rookie of the Year. In Jets, the Rookie of the Year is honored
with a scepter and a tiara -- and this year a tutu. Don’t ask me. However, “Killer” looked great.
Mark Pracy's crew was given the highly coveted Crew of the Year - which is celebrated with a paddle - as in up the creek without... Great job, you crazy Aussies!
Mark Pracy's crew was given the highly coveted Crew of the Year - which is celebrated with a paddle - as in up the creek without... Great job, you crazy Aussies!
Close racing and a fun group of people!? What more could you
ask for in a Race Class.
Congrats to the entire Jet Class; to Rick Vandam, the new
Class President and to Pete for having another great year!
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| Pete Zaccagnino in the Vampire Credit: Anthony Taylor |
Other news
The Reno Air Racing Association has had some difficult
years, especially since the crash of 2011. The budget cuts this year were not
popular with many people. But, they worked. RARA has made a profit for the
first time in my memory. What does this mean? For one thing, it means there
will be a 2016.
And, 2016 brings the USN Blue Angels and their crowd pleasing,
spectacular flying. This also means the crowds in 2016 will be larger than
2015.
Congrats to everyone at RARA, the internal team, the Board
and the Volunteers for doing such a great job. Keeping your eye on the prize
and doing what had to be done through much adversary.
Congrats to all the pilots and crews in all six classes.
You/We are what people come from all over the world to see. Keep up the great
work.
And to the fans, thanks for coming back and spending money
and supporting your favorites.
Ruby Calendars
We have another great calendar available for our racing
fans. Head on over to the website: http://www.cafepress.com/aviation_calendar to order yours.
Get one for a favorite pilot, maybe one for the
hangar, one for the office. Plenty to go around!
Gone West
Hep Porter was an integral part of the IF1 Class for many
years. While he stopped racing a few years back, he was always there to help
out the teams and to lend a hand. We lost Hep in November. We are grateful for
your friendship and knowledge through the years.
In August, we lost John Parker’s wife, Jan after a long
illness. She was a shining light in the American Air Racing hangar with a
dazzling smile and a kind word for all who entered. John kept up his stoic
exterior during the Races in 2015 – but we all know Jan was watching from the
best seat in the house. I’m glad to have known you, Mrs. Parker.
Until next time,
Marilyn Dash
Ruby Red Racing
Pylon Place
Ruby Red Racing
Pylon Place
