Roost Air Lounge => Aviation related topics => Topic started by: cj5_pilot on September 10, 2006, 11:18:22 PM
Title: RENO!!!!!
Post by: cj5_pilot on September 10, 2006, 11:18:22 PM
Just a reminder that today is the first day of qualifying for the Reno National Championship Air Races. For those of us that can't attend (Only been once...in '99...I took soo many rolls of film it's pathetic!...that's why the Osh Kosh strip was so darn funny to me!) you can keep up to date at these websites:
http://www.airrace.org http://www.aafo.com
Dago Red (the plane I've alwasys favored in the unlimited class) isn't racing this year, but the Super Corsair WILL be "gracing the pylons in actual competition"!!!! WOOT! Wish I could go!
EDIT: Hmmm....Dago IS registered....wonder if they changed their mind about retiring her.....
EDIT2: according to http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51shows/reno2006/dagored.shtml (Mustangs Mustangs) Dago WILL be racing! Hmmm.....Dago and Strega both with new, more powerful engines (Rousch helped with Strega and Dago has a Sparrow Mouse Motor) and in the field is also Voodoo, Precious Metal, Miss America and Race 57 the Sohio Super Corsair......I'm not going to be there! :-\
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: madpilot44 on September 11, 2006, 02:24:02 AM
Didn't the owner sell Dago because of money constraints? I sure would like to see the races. Beats the hell out of F-1 and WRC... maybe one day in the future... jaja
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: tundra_flier on September 11, 2006, 06:50:26 AM
Heck, I'd love to be there just to watch Big Boss Man the F7F TigerCat run the pylons! Not to mention Da Bear! 8)
And of course to cheer Biplane #4 - Ruby! Good luck Dash! :D
Phil
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: YawningMan on September 11, 2006, 06:57:25 AM
I actually saw Strega in the Trade-a-Plane a couple of months ago.
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: Frank N. O. on September 11, 2006, 08:57:58 AM
How exactly does air racing work? What's the challenge? To know the planes turn-speed/radius or what? I'm convinced there's a lot to it, but I've never had the chance to see it explained.
Frank
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: Baradium on September 11, 2006, 01:47:05 PM
How exactly does air racing work? What's the challenge? To know the planes turn-speed/radius or what? I'm convinced there's a lot to it, but I've never had the chance to see it explained.
Frank
In the simplest idea, if I actually understand this correctly ;) , you want to get around the course the fastest, just like a normal race. But there is a lot more to it since you're 3D. One of the commercial pilot manuevers is something called "eights on pylons." That turn actually uses the same idea that air racers use, it's supposed to give you the shortest distance around the turn, which is important in the race. You basically put the pylon off your wing, roll over into a bank and pitch to where it stays there until you roll out of the turn (this will be a pitch up).
I've never seen a race so I don't know very much of the specifics for rules etc, just what I've been previously told myself...
I'm sure someone will momentarily give a much better explanation.
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: cj5_pilot on September 11, 2006, 03:12:35 PM
How exactly does air racing work? What's the challenge? To know the planes turn-speed/radius or what? I'm convinced there's a lot to it, but I've never had the chance to see it explained.
Frank
Fly low, fly fast, turn left!
Ok, you can't fly BELOW a pylon, but there is also a height restriction...1500 AGL I believe (Tundra, you remember?). As stated by Baradium, the idea is to have the fastest course time without breaking the altitude rules or "cutting a pylon". There are several classes of racrers:
Forumula 1: Got to use an O-200, mostly stock and have a miniumum wing area Biplane: Gotta have two wings...sometimes called the "Pitts" class :) Sport: Gotta be a homebuilt with no more then 600 Cid engine and has to be a produced kit, not a scratch build T-6: Only T-6/SNJ/Harvard allowed, virtually no speed mods. Fun class to watch as it really comes down to pilot skill Unlimited: Long as it's piston engine it's allowed. This is where you see the P-51s, F8Fs, Sea Furys, Yaks, Lightnings, F7F and what have you. One year a B-25 qualified for Bronze :P
OK, after the classes you have the races. Depending on how you qualify you either race for the Bronze, silver or Gold. Gold Unlimited is THE draw at Reno. Last Gold unlimited race is the last race on Sunday. That's when everybody tosses the sandbags out of the tail and shows what their plane can REALLY do.
There are of course time penalties for cutting a pylon (that happened to Dago in '04) or violating the altitude restrictions.
It's a fun thing to watch. Awesome to hear those big Rolls Royce merlins (tuned to about double their original HP) and P&Ws (I'd rather twist and crank then blow and suck :P ) scream around the course. And what a thrill to watch them come out of the turn and drop in to the valley of speed and unload the aircraft.....
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: Baradium on September 11, 2006, 03:27:09 PM
How exactly does air racing work? What's the challenge? To know the planes turn-speed/radius or what? I'm convinced there's a lot to it, but I've never had the chance to see it explained.
Frank
It's a fun thing to watch. Awesome to hear those big Rolls Royce merlins (tuned to about double their original HP) and P&Ws (I'd rather twist and crank then blow and suck :P ) scream around the course. And what a thrill to watch them come out of the turn and drop in to the valley of speed and unload the aircraft.....
I can only imagine actually being at one of those races, has to be quite impressive.
As it is I still stop and stare every time one of Everts' or NAC's DC-6s trundles by on its way to the runway ( well if I can afford to anyway). If I'm really lucky I get to see the Carvair leave. Going on the slope last week Everts' "Spirit of America" (a DC-6 fuel tanker) followed me around all day. In fact, there were two '6s in Deadhorse at the same time (other was a cargo bird). It just still makes my day every time I hear a radial...
One of these days I'd like to make those air races. I get the feeling that they are addicting though....
-Ryan
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: Mike on September 11, 2006, 07:19:23 PM
We, of course, have to vote for the Super Corsair.
I can see a few strips about Chuck, a Corsair, and Reno coming on.... ;)
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: cj5_pilot on September 11, 2006, 09:08:54 PM
No results I can find for qualifying yet....looks like wednesday is when we'll get the first update. Found out an FM-2 Wildcat is going to try too!
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: cj5_pilot on September 12, 2006, 05:16:05 PM
Ok, looks like Mike Brown is currently holding the pole in September Fury (Hawker Sea Fury, HIGHLY modified!) with a speed of 478.512 MPH. Remember that's lap speed not airrspeed. The 500 MPH lap is the holy grail at Reno. Only a few planes have made it (I believe Dago was first). Rare Bear had some carb trouble and Merlin's Magic lost an engine. Today is the second day of qualifying, and none of the numbers are official until Wednesday.
Sorry if I sound enthused about this, Reno airracing has been something I've loved since I first learned about it in Air Classics magazine back in the early '80s. Funny what we read as a kid sticks with us for so long ;D
I met Bob Oddegard (spelling incorrect) once in Anchorage when he flew up a P-51. He's a good guy.
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: Sleek-Jet on September 12, 2006, 11:06:32 PM
The fury's just aren't slick enought to keep up with the modified P-51's or Bear... at least until one of the later breaks ::)... Sometimes it's not about being the fastest, but holding together the longest.
Plus, the fury puts out one hell of a wake, I watched Dago Red just about turn over a couple years ago coming around Pilon 1 behind Dreadnaught... ;D
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: cj5_pilot on September 13, 2006, 12:05:17 AM
The "stock" furys like Dreadnaught and September Pops definitely aren't running as fast as the Mustangs and the Bear. However Furias and September Fury have some serious mods that make them look like good contenders.
Also I didn't realize that one of this years (and last year's) racers is "Polar Bear" (http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/survivors/pages/43-6006.shtml) ...a P-51A with an Allison NOT a Merlin! That surprised me, sorta like "Big Bossman" F7F. Both are rare birds with few examples still flying. That's one of the downsides to the Unlimited and T-6 classes of racers. There's always some chance that the plane can be lost (Tundra and I watched Gary Levitz's "Miss Ashley II" come apart in Turn 1 in '99....not something I ever want to witness again) and a priceless piece of history can be lost. On the other hand, flying and flying fast is what these aircraft were designed to do. I feel there are VERY important reminders of history for younger generations.
All that being said, planes like Big Bossman and Polar Bear tend to be flown by pilots that aren't REALLY racing...they are showing off their beautiful birds. Heck, Miss America wasn't a contender until she got bent up (not racing if I recall) THEN they went for the Race Mods :) This is how she used to look in '99:
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: Sleek-Jet on September 13, 2006, 01:53:13 PM
Even with the mods, the Furys can't keep up in a flat out speed dash... they've got to much wing and to much surface area.
I've watched Furias before, and the mustangs just motored away, but Furias didn't break and made it to the end of the race... where as a few of the 'stangs were making emergency landings.
If September Fury can maintain that kind of lap speed and hang together, he'll be a contender for sure. |:)\
I gotta go with Chuck though, and pull for the Super Corsair. ;D Especially since I have a passing connection to the airplane. (I think)...
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: Zaffex on September 13, 2006, 11:39:27 PM
Ah, reno. Man, I wish I could be there, sounds like an awesome place to be. By the way, does anyone know if the races are televised or have video?
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: tundra_flier on September 14, 2006, 12:15:54 AM
They did show the Air races on Speed Channel last year. Of course I didn't find out about it till after the fact. And this year I don't have cable. >:(
Phil
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: cj5_pilot on September 14, 2006, 01:51:18 AM
I don't know what happened but Dago didn't qualify! They don't have any more info then that online right now. The Super Corsair is on a "No Time" and "Conditional Status"...bummer :(
Looks like it's gonna be a big year for the round engines. The top five are September Fury, Rare Bear, Dreadnaught, Czech Mate and Strega. That's two Sea Furies, an F8F, a Yak and a Mustang. I think Voodoo had some sand bags in her tail though :P Full qaulifications are here: http://aafo.com/racing/2006/reno-2006/quals.html
Though everybody mostly talks about the unlimiteds (the exotics!), I myself also love the T-6 class. I gotta admit that my favorite is probably Mary Dilda who flies "Two of Hearts". She's a neat gal! She's not flying this year it seems though. The fun thing about the T-6s is they tend to all run fairly close in speed in a given class and it comes down more to pilot ability then the biggest/most tuned engine. The slowest qualifying T-6 qualified at 196 mph and the fastest at 238. Sure 44 mph is a big difference but that is the difference between the fastest Gold qulifier (Warlock) and the slowest Bronze Qualifier (Miss Universe). Compare that to the 174 mph difference from fastest to slowest in the Unlimiteds! Heck there is a 23 mph difference in qualifying times between 1st and second in Unlimiteds! The T-6 races are usually a LOT closer and more exciting honestly! And listen to those round engines rumble....
Better throw in a T-6 pic after all that! This is from a couple years ago when I took a ride with Kevin Keagan's American Warbird. Was a great flight!
I've got an... uhhhh... "interesting" story about Mary Dilda and what she did after winning the T6 gold race several years ago... ::)
The T6 class is a kick to watch, and listen to.... blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap... :D
Hmm...I'd never ask a gentleman to compromise a lady, but that's gotta be a heck of an "interesting" story ;)
Ok, full results are NOT posted at this time for today's races. Only thing showing is Heat 1C of the Unlimiteds (Bronze Class). Race 57 the Sohio Super Corsair is in the top of bronze with an average lap speed of 357.776 mph! Precious Metal (a Griffon powered 'stang with Contra-rotating props--they worry me, most of the 'stangs that were re-engined that way have had short lives at Reno) is second at 347, followed by the Allison powered P-51A at 342 mph, Sparky, another P-51D at 332 mph, Shiska Suka (Yak 3) at 310 mph and finally, brining up the tail end was Air Biscut a FM-2 Wildcat blazing along at 280 mph!
That is actually a neat race when you look at the mix. Bronze and Silver classes are a lot of fun cause the guys flying them are usually showing off more then racing and you can get some AWESOME pictures if you got a decent camera.
I'll try to chase down the silver and gold stuff a bit later!
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: tundra_flier on September 15, 2006, 01:02:37 AM
Quote
I've got an... uhhhh... "interesting" story about Mary Dilda and what she did after winning the T6 gold race several years ago...
I don't know about Mary, but her husband clipped a pylon when I was there in `03. I mean literally clipped it! Destroyed the fiberglass wingtip on his T-6 :o And to top it off, he had the FAA official for the race as a passenger at the time. :o
Phil
P.S. - I still want to enter tundra toy in F-1 class some day ;D Meets all the criteria except one, solid metal props arn't allowed. :-[
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: cj5_pilot on September 16, 2006, 11:29:20 PM
Looking at Friday's results, I'm beginning to wonder if Tiger is sandbagging a bit.....70mph off the pace! Definitely year of the round engine. Only 2 P-51s in the Gold, and both are near the bottom. September Fury is still hurtling around the course at about 470+ mph. Can't wait to see today's results!
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: cj5_pilot on September 18, 2006, 04:16:03 PM
Yep, year of the Round Engine! Overall gold winner in the Unlimiteds was September Fury at 481 mph! Coming up in Second was Dreadnaught. Seems the big guns of the past: Dago Red, Rare Bear and Strega all had a tough year. Six Cat took T-6 Gold at almost 236 mph, and no surprise Nemesis took top honors in Sport. Gratitfying to see a Thunder Mustang in third there though!
Not a whole lot of eye witness reports on the web yet, hoping to see some in the next few days. Really can't wait for AAFO to update!
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: tundra_flier on September 18, 2006, 05:58:02 PM
Quote
no surprise Nemesis took top honors in Sport
But what the heck is a White Lighting? That was the model of one of the planes in Sport class bronze. Is someone making a P-38 kit now?
Phil
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: Zaffex on September 22, 2006, 02:18:29 AM
Looked around and found a slew of videos on youtube, though the quality is rather subpar on some. Definitly looks like something worth seeing, I'll have to add it to my "Flying Wishlist". ;D
Title: Re: RENO!!!!!
Post by: tundra_flier on September 22, 2006, 05:22:34 AM
Yeah, I found it.
http://www.studiomoonart.com/whitelightning.htm
Sweet looking airplane, very slick. But I'm still disappointed. I'm waiting for a twin Rotax 912S powered P-38 replica. Or better still one that uses that new V-6 Rotax engines. ;D
