Four years ago, I wrote a column for June about the State of
the Races. At that time, we were still struggling with the aftermath of the crash
in 2011. The NTSB presented their recommendations and we were wading through
them, trying to figure out what to do next.
Changes had to be made. Modifications had to be made. Operations
needed to change. What else did we have to do to keep going for another year,
another five years, or another ten years?
Reading through those old columns from that time, I realize
how much we have been through and how many people were part of the solution. We
are still here. We are growing and things are looking up!
Pylon Racing Seminar
in June
PRS is scheduled to take place in Mid-June and we have a record
number of attendees. Each class will have a nice turnout, but the Sport Class
is the winner with 54 people and 47 airplanes expected to attend. At this rate, the Sport Class will need another
week added on to the event just to keep up with the demand!
What an amazing success story. The Sport Class started out
in 1998, sponsored by Lancair at the time. Dave Morss won the first several
years flying the Lancair Company Plane. The Class was run well and really
attracted a great group of people. To go from those early days, to having the
potential of 60-70 racing applications for 2016, that is an amazing success.
They are not exactly sitting on their laurels either. The Sport
Class has devised a new and interesting racing segment which they are pitching
to RARA and to the FAA. There will be a demo/practice of the new segment at PRS
– so hopefully they will get clearance and I’ll be able to tell you more about
it – after it’s signed off by the governing bodies.
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| Jeff Lavelle is BACK in the World’s Fastest Glasair Thanks to 20West:Bruce Croft |
Otherwise, their Medallion and Bronze races may be on the T6
course – to keep the action closer and the fans attention focused on the
racers. The Gold race will likely be 325-400 mph – especially with Jeff Lavelle
coming back, John Parker back in the hunt for his repeat. This is going to be
great!
The Jet Class has 8 entries for PRS and is still growing
like crazy. Look for new wing tips and new pilots – and even new airplanes.
Biplanes have at least 6 attendees for PRS. Again, some new
pilots and some new aircraft – and some people and planes we know and remember
are returning.
Unlimited Class has several Rookies coming to PRS – and one
boomerang (someone who attended PRS, never raced – and is back). The latest
word is Strega may be taking the year off, but Tiger’s new Young Gun will
likely be at PRS in Czech Mate! Yes!
Tiger’s Young Gun is a great guy named Jay Consalvi. I wrote
about Jay in 2010 when he attended PRS in Doug Mathews old Corsair. He did
great, but ended up not racing that year – or since.
Jay was one of the main characters in the movie Speed and
Angels. If you haven’t seen the movie, you should look for it! It’s considered
to be the Real Life Top Gun and Jay
is a rock star in this movie!
I know he’s been flying Strega and Czech for several months
and should be a great addition to the races. It looks like there will be a bunch
of Yaks at PRS this year and maybe a Mustang or two?
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| Jay Consalvi at PRS in 2010 Thanks to Ken Linde |
Formula 1 made some changes last year – among them putting Phil
Goforth in charge of building their pilot roster. The next thing you know, they
have 15 Rookies coming to PRS. He has been on the phone talking to everyone who
ever thought about flying an F1, those who own F1s and haven’t raced before and
everyone in between. Expect a lot of excitement around this class in September.
Final thoughts – although just 4 years ago – we thought we
may have been done racing in the high desert outside of Reno, NV, we are back
and we are growing and things look GREAT!
I can’t wait to hear all the stories from PRS and start
getting ready to see my September Family in just a few months!
Until then,
Fly Low.. Fast and Turn LEFT!
Marilyn Dash
Ruby Red Racing
Ruby Red Racing
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| The Pylons are waitingThanks to 20W: Bruce Croft |
