What can be done to save the Reno Air Races? This is the
question posed to me by so many of the Air Racing fans. We know changes are being
made – but – are they enough. Are these changes coming too late, what are the
signs we should be looking for to see if the changes are working?
RARA has made several announcements lately – including the
dismissal of the Michael Houghton, the President and the paring down of the
paid staff to six individuals. Recent news adds a reduction in the Board of
Directors from over 20 members to a total of seven.
Cost cutting measures are certainly one way to preserving
the event, but are they enough? What is really needed is an influx of CASH from
a large sponsor and more publicity – beyond the individuals who have already
been to the Air Races. We need new fans, new racers and new sponsors.
Publicity
Tell me why, the day after Steven Hinton won his 5th
Championship he was not being interviewed on Good Morning America, Today and
the Tonight Show? This young man has unprecedented achievements and no one
knows his name.
I’ve said this many times, RARA has celebrated over 50 years
of Air Racing and when I tell someone I’m an Air Racer – they say, “Red Bull”? While
I love the Red Bull Air Races – they are in their infancy compared to us.
Even amongst other pilots, they have heard of Oshkosh,
Sun-n-Fun --- but never heard of the Reno Air Races – until the Ghost incident?
We are the best kept secret in motorsports – which is not a compliment. It’s a
travesty.
Many have suggested that the old RARA Board wanted to keep
the event very Reno-Centric because that was their playground. What is the
reason national coverage was not sought and never achieved, why alternate
locations were never developed – why ESPN forgot who we are?
Another question asked frequently is – why are there no
pilots or racers on the Board? I’m pretty sure we have qualified people in the
retired racer ranks who would be able to give a different and probably quite
useful perspective.
Will the new and improved, lighter more nimble RARA Board do
a better job? Let’s hope so.
Unlimiteds
So many fans have said they only go to see the Unlimiteds.
Well, folks – that may be a problem. As
I have said before in this column, the Unlimited Racers are becoming scarcer
due to many issues – including the incredibly high cost to run one of these
racers, the enormous effort, the lack of parts, the changes in the course and
the instability of the governing body.
Last year we saw the demise of the Unlimited Division and
the replacement organization the Unlimited and Warbird Racing Class taking the reins.
The uncertainty of that change kept close to half of the qualified race pilots
and aircraft home. Will they return? I doubt it. The Unlimited racers I’ve
spoken with recently have all said they feel they are not being engaged in the conversation
about the future. They also feel the issues which caused the dissolution of the
original UD are still not being addressed.
How will we know UWRC is successful? Let’s count the number of Unlimited Racers attending PRS in June.
One racer told me – I’ll paraphrase – the Jet Truck comes to
Reno to perform and RARA gives him hotel rooms, car, fuel, food, etc. A racer
comes to Reno and they ask them for a check to pay their entry, a check for
their crew badges, a check for their golf cart, a check for their parking pass,
you get the picture. Who are the fans coming to see – the Jet Truck or the Air
Races?
Concerts?
The latest news has a festival like atmosphere being
discussed – complete with concerts and interactive activities – and true
celebration of flight. Will that fill the seats? If so, GREAT!
We know the Casinos won’t be happy to see evening activities
at the field. They are counting on all the race fans coming back to town to
gamble, eat and drink their nights away. So, will we have concerts going on
during the races? Between? Instead of what? I’m confused.
Communications
Last year I was criticized for not going to RARA to ask for their
side on my comments. In fact, I did go to them and I was ignored. This year, I
have also asked for input and have yet to hear anything in return.
Let me be clear, I LOVE THE AIR RACES. I have been racing
since 2003, I have been going since 1999 – the first time I heard of the Air
Races. Many of the people closest to me I have met through racing. I owe a
great deal of who I am today to this amazing event and the people who make it
so.
I would be happy to work with the Board, to work with RARA to disseminate
the information in a positive way and help them understand where the fans, racers
and participants minds are. But, alas – my phone is mute.
Final Thoughts
For all of you who say you won’t go to Reno without a large
showing of Unlimiteds – I’d like to introduce you to the other classes – because
the golden days of Unlimited Air Racing may be behind us. There will still be
amazing participants like Bob Button, the Hintons, the Sanders Family and Rod
Lewis – but there aren’t a dozen more of them waiting on the sidelines to win a
bowling trophy, a check just large enough to pay the crew bar tab and bragging rights for
something no one knows exists.
For you real racing fans, when you get to the end of the
Unlimited Pits – keep walking. There are amazing racers further down the flight
line. There are people who put their life and soul into racing and I bet
you would like to hear their stories too. I have written about many of them
over the years – I hope you fans are listening.
The Future of Air Racing may be further down on the flight
line. Come say hello – after the concert, of course.
** Special Thanks to Bruce Croft from 20West for this months fine photographs!
