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"A Race To
Remember"
The
39th Annual National Championship Air Races and Air Show, September 12-15, 2002 |
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One thing
had all the competitiors and visitors in common - a slightly strange feeling in the
stomach - due to the fact that this years Reno Races (Training started on the 9th of
Sept.) took place exactly one year after the shocking and unbelievable terrorist attacks
on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. After the event had to be called off
last year because of the extensive airtraffic restrictions over the USA as a reaction to
the attacks, the organizers had announced a show for this year that was supposed to be
bigger and better than ever before. That was of course no easy task for the Reno Air
Racing Association lead by their President and CEO Mike Houghton and Chairman Joey
Scolari. Last years cancellation had caused a considerable financial loss. But the high
hopes of the Air Racing fans from around the world were more than fullfilled by this years
outstanding event. The official program that lasted for full four days left absolutely no
chance to relax or have a break. While the Unlimited Class, as the most spectacular was
getting more and more thinned out with every day after a series of accidents and technical
problems, the newly formed L-39 "Jet-Class" had a smooth premiere without any
complications. And while in the Biplane, Formula1 and AT-6 Classes no incidents were
beeing reported, the Sports Class had to face several accidents. After two crashes with
only minor damages, the fatal crash of the Sports Class pilot Tommy Rose overshadowed the
second day of the event. The Reno Races 2002 pushed the organizers towards their limit: 4
days with well over a hundred thousand visitors, an atmosphere of a gigantic funfair -
that`s how it must have been in the 1920s to 1930s as the jobless pilots of WWI were
joining the air races to earn some money. This indescribable atmosphere has been
preserved and is still present at the Reno Races of our times. But please take a look for
yourself... |
The Race Courses: Most
of the courses at the 39th Reno Air Races remained the same as the course layouts that
were flown since the year 2000. The enormous difference in the top speeds of the race
classes, starting at 200 mph (Biplanes) up to 500 mph (Unlimited) - in between the T-6
class (230 mph), the Formula One (245 mph) and the Sports Class (330 mph), completed by
the newly formed Jet class (450 mph), makes it necessary to have four different race
courses to keep the lap times of the different classes nearly equal. To take a look at the
four courses please refer to the picture. |
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The Rules: Fly Low! Fly Fast! Turn Left! These are the three basic rules. The rules
are alltogether very complicated and as in a sports league, the best competitors move up
and the last move down. To overtake someone you always have to use the outer lane so that
the pilot that overtakes the other always has a good view on the slower plane. You are
interested in the details of the regulations - please send us your questions - we are
looking forward to answer them! |
The Prize Money: 800.000
US$ meant a new record for the prize money in the year 2002 - an increase of 60% since
1995. More than 565.000 US$ was supposed for the Unlimited Class and the winner of
this class, the Team Dago Red, received at least 130.000 US$. You won`t be getting rich by
winning the competition then even the high performance engine of a top racers costs more
than that. The T-6 Class received a share of 77.000 US$, the Formula One 72.000 US$,
the Sport Class 46.000 US$ and the Biplane Class 40.000 US$ of the total prize
money. |
The Competitors:
Each team that takes part consists of one or more pilots and a
crew. While at other racing events as the Formula One or Indy Series this wouldn`t be
possible at the Reno Air Races you can take a closer look in the pit lane between the
races. The pits are always are always very busys and bustling with activity because
especially the high performance engines are very sensitive and need a lot of maintenance.
The technical wizards of the teams manage it to get more than the double horse powers out
of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine with it`s standard 1.490 hp. Rumors say that the top
teams use engines exceeding 4.000 hp`s! With a bit of luck you even get into conversation
with the jockeys of the worlds fastest piston engine planes and get to know the test
pilots, astronauts, millionaires, doctors, lawyers, pensioners, former fighter pilots and
flight captains. |
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While the aircraft of the Formula 1 are
pushed silently and by hand to the take off... |
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A real airrace reporter doesn`t complain
- not even about the merciless hot desert sun (as Jan and Frauke from www.airrace.de )... |
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...the aircraft of the Unlimited Class
gained some more attention. |
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...or the always lurking danger of wild
animals... |
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And while Jimmy Leeward flew lower
with every training lap... |
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...while at the same time only some
hundred feet away on the gigantic stands... |
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...Tom Dwelle got lower then he ever
wanted, after the undercarriage of his "Critical Mass" gave way during taxiing. |
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...the gaping crowds were watching the
breathtaking performances as for example the aerobatic display of Julie Clark... |
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It came even worse for Brent Hisey and
his legendary "Miss America" - after a succesful test flight in the
evening... |
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...or the famous "Wall of Fire"
of the US Navy. |
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...a very sad to look at "Miss
A" on the next morning. |
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Not to forget the formation flypasts of
the "Heritage Flight" which made the hearts of the aviation fans beat faster... |
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The longingly expected airracing legend
"Rare Bear" was not taking part in anything more than some ground tests... |
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...as also this very rare P-63 Kingcobra,
participant of the "Rolls Royce Heritage Trophy"... |
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...and the participants of the newly
formed Jet Class completed its laps as they had never done anything else. |
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...or this Me 109, that was built under
license in Spain, which parked all days and nights quite lonely on the apron. |
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Very close duels and an outstanding
champion in the Sports Class. Airracing legend Darryl Greenamyer (in the background) had a
triumphant return. |
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