It’s that time of year
again – everyone is getting ready for another exciting National Championship Air
Race week. The teams are gathering their paperwork, putting the finishing
touches on their racers and packing up the trucks to head out to Stead.
Let’s catch-up with them
and make some guesses about who will be there and who could win.
Sport Class
I have said many times;
the Sport Class is the place to be. This is one of the classes where you will
see amazing strides in speed and technology.
Jeff Lavelle will be
back and will be the man to beat. But who will give him the biggest competition?
My guess would be either
Bob Mills in another Super Glasair – Gary Mead’s old Race 47. Or, Andrew Findlay
in the STIHL Lancair Super Legacy! Both racers are working hard during the off-season
and can definitely bring the speed. Long
shots could be Dave Sterling or Vicki Benzing – both in Super Legacys and both
hunting for Speed.
With John Parker out,
the only two Thunder Mustangs are Swiss Thunder with Peter Balmer driving and
Class Thunder with Mathais Haid in the seat. I would be happy to see them both
in the Gold again. A fitting tribute to all of John’s work to succeed on the
Thunder Mustang platform.
So, the Sport Gold will
likely be two Super Glasairs, two Thunder Mustangs and the rest Super Legacys.
Sounds good to me!
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| Who can beat Jeff Lavelle?! Photo by Rob “Phred” Miller |
Jets
The Jet Class is still growing and working on a
very competitive event this year. Last year’s winner, Rick Vandam in American
Spirit will be taking on Zach McNeill in a Vampire, Dave Culler in another L39
and Scott Farnsworth in my favorite L-39 – Dash Force One (I wonder why I like
it so much?) This all sounds good to me.
The Jets will again offer close racing and a lot of fun!
International Formula 1
This Class is still
booming with a full field expected in September. After a successful, yet small –
race in Ely in June – the IF1 Class is ready for Reno.
Among the cool things
that are happening in IF1 is the Third Annual GripLockTies SlabWing Dash for
Cash. Since they started the GripLockTies SlabWing Dash for Cash there has been
a HUGE jump in SlabWing participation
and it really creates a race within a race. – Awesome!
Last year, Swaid Rahn in
Heat Stroke narrowly beat out Last Lap Player. This year a modified Heat Stroke
with a new pilot, Merce Marti will likely battle Philip Goforth in Annie for the coveted title of “the
GripLockTies' Fastest SlabWing on the Planet trophy” And WHO doesn’t
want that TROPHY!
In the Gold, we will
likely see Lowell Slatter in Fraed Naught duking it out with Steve Senegal in
Endeavor. What Airplane, Honey? Is a dark horse – but if she’s as fast as she
was in Thailand last year – she could be a factor.
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| Swaid Rain - 2017's Fastest Slab Wing on the Planet Photo by Tim Adams |
This Class will be very exciting to watch this year. And – all you need to do is wake up early enough to be there at the start. You shouldn’t miss it!
Unlimited
The Unlimited Class is
having another difficult year. It seems Rare Bear, Strega and Voodoo all decided
to take a year off at the same time. This really opens up the top of the Gold
and it is anyone’s game.
However, the smart money
is on Dreadnaught, the unflappable Buick who just keeps on going. If not Dread,
possibly Miss America? Coming back after a short retirement to see if she can
win it all in 2018. Or how about Mike Brown – yes THAT Mike Brown coming back
in a P-51 Mustang called Goldfinger. The old Risky Business has had a facelift
and put on a sparkly dress. Or, will it be Astronaut Curt Brown in Sawbones.
All four of these racers have a VERY good chance of winning it all.
While the fastest competitors
aren’t going to be there, the competitiveness in the front will make this one unforgettable.
Also, Graham Frew has already
sent Full Noise on a Slow Boat to Reno from New Zealand. If he can make it, YOU
can too!
The Show
NAHI IS BACK!!! Yes, the
National Aviation Heritage Invitational reached an agreement with RARA. This
was always a fan favorite – a place to go and see beautiful antiques and still
be at the Air Races. Check them out on the EAST side of the field!
The Patriot Jet Team
will be back. The fans will once again enjoy their high energy show. John Klatt
will be there with his Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Powered Waco! I bet he’ll be
racing the Smoke -n-Thunder Jet car too!
There will be several
Military Aircraft on display – and the Air combat Command F-16 Viper Demo Team will
provide us with some loud and exciting Military Style Aerobatics.
More next month----- until then...
Fly Low, Fly Fast and Turn Left!
Fly Low, Fly Fast and Turn Left!
See in at Stead.
Marilyn Dash
Ruby Red Racing
Pylon Place
Ruby Red Racing
Pylon Place
