Reno National Championship Air Races

 Reno National Championship Air Races has a rich history of which I haven't written about.

1929 Cleveland started air racing with a lot of fan fair.  Below is a good link to an article describing the air races back then.  The racing in Cleveland came to an end in 1949.  They only made it 20 years where Reno lasted 60 years.  That in it self is quite the accomplishment.  Reno Air Racing Association has done an exceptional job from year to year to present a world renowned class air show and air races.  People come from all continents to watch them.  

https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/151

This year things are changing from day to day which is to be expected.  There is a lot going on behind the scenes .  An up date on the classes of aircraft racing has changed, the Biplanes will not be racing.

The most important thing to take into consideration is aviation racing history is being made so please come and witness it this year.

Please do not be discouraged that this is the last year the races will be held in Reno.  Focus on looking forward to a new era in air racing history.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

Here are some shots from the past of the Unlimited class.  What is incredible is these are World War II era aircraft that the fans love.

Thom Richard in Precious Metal 2014 P-51XR, we lost Precious Metal when it caught fire on the ramp coming to the races

Jim Tobul F4U-4 Corsair and Rod Lewis in a F7F Tigercat La Patrona 2014

Robert "Hoot" Gibson pilot of 232 Hawker Sea Fury in the pits 2014

F7F Tigercat La Patrona nose art in the pits 2014

Pete Law discussing Thermal Dynamics with crew of Precious Metal 2014

 Well folks it has been awhile since I wrote anything about the Reno National Championship Air Racing.  If you haven't heard this, it will be the last year the races will be held out at Stead Airport.  This will end  six decades of racing in Reno NV.  There is a rich history there with iconic races that were exciting and fun to observe.  The Association is working hard to find a new venue to move the races to.  As you can imagine this will be extremely difficult task taking into account all the logistics and infrastructure needed to host this event.  So what's really important is don't get discouraged that the races are done.  It may take some time to work through all the issues at hand but they feel they can accomplish this.  This year the ticketing will be hit hard so get your tickets now.  As before in my posts there are six classes, Formula 1, Biplanes, T-6's, Sport, Jet, and Unlimited.  All are fun to watch.  Below are some pictures I have taken over the years.  Some will ask who is showing up, that is always a surprise.  So come and enjoy the event as it will be a very integral part of aviation history.

Formula 1

Biplanes

T-6's

Sport

Jet

Unlimited

Fun time in Libby Montana

Had a great week up north in Libby Montana, went out to Ross Creek Cedars a played around for awhile..  have a couple from Coeur d'Alene also.

Ross Creek Cedars

Ross Creek Cedars

Libby Montana

Ross Creek Cedars

Coeur d "Alene

Ross creek, someone had way to much time.  There was literally thousands of rocks stacked up and down the creek bed.

Stars,stars and more stars

Wow, just got back from an awe inspiring experience up on top of Beartooth Pass just outside out of Red Lodge Montana shooting stars and the Milky Way with a sunset experience.  It is a humbling experience to see how insignificant we are in the scope of things.  Enjoy.

Beartooth Mountains sunset

Part of the Milky way with a couple satellites.

Twilight Lake in the Beartooths

Milky Way with a little color.

Well here it is the 7th of August and the Reno Championship Air Races are going to be here before we know it,  They say it will be there 55th year.  Wow thats pretty impressive considering 9/11 and the terrible crash of the Galloping Ghost which we lost several spectators.  The races are evolving each year trying to find that magic formula to both draw spectators and racers.  The big problem now it the cost to come and race these incredible planes.  I have heard that Voodoo is now residing in the Planes of Fame museum in Chino Ca.  Strega is trying to find sponsors but as of late they are not planning on attending this year.  Steve Hinton Jr has retired from racing.  So what does that mean for the unlimited racers this year?  Well it opens it up for the field and maybe bring more people to enter their planes.  The other classes are exciting as well.  If you love aerobatics you will not be disappointed because they always have the best.  They will also have the Patriots Jet team who also put on a great show.  If you haven't yet, get your hotel room because they go fast and get more expensive the longer you wait.  Here are some shots of the different classes that race.  A good web site to get up to date information is  air race.org.

Unlimited

BiPlanes

Sport

T-6's

Formula 1

Jet

National Championship Air Races 2014

Well here we are with July almost done.  The crews are working long hours preparing their steeds.  The work never ends.  A little recap from last year.  Precious Metals racing engine developed issues and they had to pull it and replace with stock engine and pilot Thom Richard flew it from Florida.  During qualifying Voodoo flew with a special motor and then changed it out with the racing motor, strategy.  During qualifications Matt Jackson in Strega lost part of the canopy and had to make a successful emergency landing.  They found another one, did the modifications and started in the Bronze class racing on Friday to win his way back to the Gold Class. #232 an Hawker Seafury sustained damage to the engine and cowling forcing a Mayday and emergency landing.  This is just a small sample of how racing week is in Reno Air Races.

This year
   -Voodoo teams is working hard on the engines and airframe preparing for this year

   - Strega is pretty quiet as Tiger is back at the controls

   - Precious Metal teams is working on their racing motor for the races

   - Several Hawker Seafuries will be there again
        + 232

        + Dreadnaught

        + Sawbones

Just to mention a few

Then you have the Rare Bear (Bearcat) and either Here Kitty or LaPatrona  (Tigercat) flown by Rod Lewis.

Now that is just the unlimited, you have  formula one,biplanes, T-6's, Sport, and Jet that have just as much work and excitement.

Now I challenge the young aeronautical engineers to come up with your version of an unlimited class airplane, build it and race it.  We need some new blood and new styles of racing planes to start replacing our cherished WWII airplanes.

2014 Reno Air Races

OK June is done today.  Do you have your tickets to the National Championship Air Races (NCAR) yet?  If not be sure to get them and a room for the races (September 11-14).  This year is going to be very interesting.  The Jet class and the Sport Class have a few more new comers so the field will be bigger for more excitement.  Also Tiger Destefani has attended the Pylon Racing School (PRS) in June to re certify to race Strega (P-51D) in September.  He says Steven Hinton Jr. needs some competition who will be flying Voodoo (P-51D) which won last year.  Steven Hinton Jr. is a four time Gold winner and Tiger Destefani is an seven time Gold winner.  This should be fun to watch the old school vs the new school.  Reno Air Racing Association has announced the will be having live music during the air racing with concerts in the evenings.  There should be something for everyone.  Share with your friends and come out and enjoy a few days of awesome aviation.  See you there in September and remember to bring sunscreen as there is very little shade on the tarmac and the stands.

Reno Air Races 2014

Well it getting closer to that magical time of year where the best world class aviators gather in Reno, Nevada to thrill the audience with racing, aerobatics, jet precession flying and our military demonstration to blow your mind September 10-14 2014.  This event is entering the 51st year and is becoming more and more exciting by the minute.  They are planning a press release soon to share the changes to make your experience there more enjoyable.  Here are some pictures of past planes to enjoy till you come and experience for your self.  The website for the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is airrace.org .

Reno National Championship Air Races 2014 are a go!

 

Well folks it looks like the annual Reno National Championship Air Races (NCAR) is on for 2014.  They have raised all the necessary funds to make another year.  What this also means that the purse could be higher to hopefully bring in more contestants.  The Air Races will be celebrating their 51st year and hope to bring in more air racing fans.  During the past races the need for the younger generation to participate and lead the charge is now critical.  Younger pilots, owners and aeronautical engineers are needed to develop planes for the unlimited class to replace the old world war II fighters which for us old farts has a place in our hearts with their glorious history.  I have seen concept designs by artists that would be real cool if it was built, tested and certified.  But hey, that's for the future.  There are 6 classes to choose from now.  Formula 1, Biplanes, Sport, T-6's, Jet, and Unlimited.  If you know someone racing or pick one to follow, it will become exciting.  Be part of the next 50 years and establish your legacy or even rivalries for the fans to cheer on.  So make those reservations and get those tickets and pit passes now.  Mark the calendar for September 10-14 2014.  I will be posting updates and hopefully a little history for you to enjoy.

P-51XR Precious Metal 2012