Last month, we covered the Unlimited Class at the Reno Air
Races 2015. While we saw some amazing races in that Class, we saw pretty
terrific stuff in ALL the Classes again this year. There are SIX Racing Classes
at Reno each year. All of them are filled with dedicated racers who spend every
day of the year thinking about and working towards that one week in September. Let’s
recap three more of the classes and we’ll finish up next month with the final
two. Enjoy!
International Formula
1
IF1 really lived up to the International moniker this year with
the Air Race 1 Championship spanning three continents. Tunisia was the first
race, with Spain following closely and Reno being their grand finale. With Reno
being a separate championship – there were 2 winners.
Thom Richard won the Air Race 1 Series in his new Hot Stuff
custom built Formula 1. But this is about Reno, so let’s get back there.
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| Incredibly Close Racing in IF1 Credit Anthony Taylor |
The IF1 Class was destined to see some amazing racing. There
were 16 aircraft in the field – 8 in Silver and 8 in Gold. Depending on your
Qualifying Speed, you are placed in Silver or Gold. But in IF1 you are able to
“Bump” similar to the way the Unlimiteds do their pairings.
Of the 8 final aircraft in the Gold on Sunday, anyone could
have won it all – depending on their start, their flying and some luck. The
Race was really between Steve Senegal, Vito Wypraechtiger and Elliot Sequin.
Steve and Vito have battled together for years and both have won the Gold in the
past. Elliot has made some major upgrades to his Wasabi Special.
After tossing
it back and forth all week, Steve Senegal overcame a low call on Saturday to
win the Gold on Sunday – in a nail biter.
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| Changing Runways – IF1 Wind Walk Credit: Tim Adams |
Great racing – seriously edge of your seat, jumping up and
down and yelling at your favorites – type of racing. You need to wake up early
and head out to catch the 8am races!
Biplanes
While you are there at 8am, you can also catch my Class –
the Biplanes. This year had all the focus on Tom Aberle and his custom built
Phantom. Tom set a Qualifying record of 284.454 … in a BIPLANE! To give you an idea of how fast that is – he’s
almost 130 mph faster than the slowest Biplanes – and nearly 50 mph faster than
the fastest T6 Qualifier.
Tom also set race record of 264.656 this year during the
Saturday Heat Race.
The biggest issue the Biplanes had this year was with the
howling winds. Neither the IF1s nor the Biplanes handle these types of winds
very well because of our small size and light weight. Two days of
Qualifying/Practice were called off for Biplanes due to the ridiculous winds.
The weather is always interesting at Reno. We just learn to
live with it.
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| Caption: World’s Fastest Biplane – Phantom Credit: Tim Adams |
T-6
The T-6 Class had some great racing again this year. Nick
Macy led the Qualifiers, but was seriously challenged by John Lohmar, Dennis
Buehn and Chris Rushing. The first Heat went to Nick. The second to Dennis and
the final was all Dennis. This is Dennis’ third year in a row winning the Gold.
The other fun thing the T-6 Class did this year – a new Drag
Race. Two Racers line up on the runway, flag drops – they both go for it. One
lap and the checkered flag! This has been talked about for a few years – it
finally debuted this year and it was a big hit!
And for you Sea Fury fans, Eric Woelbing, the new owner of
Miss Merced and Furias, raced his T-6 this year – Bare Essentials. He indicated
that Miss Merced would be back at Reno soon. Furias is not flying yet, but
let’s keep our fingers crossed – we may see two old favorites back on the ramp
in the future.
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| Great T6 Racing Credit Tim Adams |
Next Month
Next month we’ll recap the Sport Class and the Jet Class. These
are the two highest growth classes at Reno.
Until then… Fly Low, Fly Fast and Turn Left!
Marilyn Dash
Ruby Red Racing
Ruby Red Racing
