The "Unlimiteds" is the
premier and muscle class of Air Racers. Open to any
piston driven aircraft, there are but very few
"scratch-built" race airplanes in this class.
Historically the ranks of this group have been
filled by stock or modified WW2 fighters,
comprising mostly P-51 Mustangs, Hawker Furies,
F8-F Bearcats, Yaks 9 & 11. When these
heavyweights form up behind the 'smoke on' jet pace
plane for an air start into the "chute", excitement
rules the crowd as the sounds of big engines rule
the air. The "Unlimited's" generally race 6 or 7
aircraft together in every 'Heat' each day, up
until "Race Sunday" when 8 planes compete in all
three divisions &endash; Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Top speeds in the "Gold Race" competitors
frequently exceed 450 m.p.h. at altitudes as low as
100 feet or a bit less. "Two and a half football
fields every second---If that doesn't get your
stuff working, then your stuff's not gonna work."
&endash; race pilot Alan Preston. Motor racing at
it's exciting best.
The qualifying selection
process for registered race aircraft, although a
little complicated, is basically determined on the
fastest qualifying times for each class of racers.
When all is said and done after the Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday course trials are over, each class is
allowed a maximum number of competitors &endash;
Formula One-24, Biplane-24, Sport-16,
T6/SNJ/Harvard-18, Unlimited-24, and Jets-8.
For each day there was a
full program of scheduled flying events, beginning
at 8:00 am when gates were opened to the general
public, through to around 4:00 p.m. when the last
Unlimited race closed the flying program. The Reno
Air Racing Association disclosed that it was
exceptionally pleased with the spectator turnout,
estimated to number upwards of 200,000 for the four
official days of air racing and airshow. In between
the racing 'heats', onlookers were treated to the
performances of world-class airshow acts: Julie
Clark with her Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, "Free
Spirit", in her first appearance since 1997, Dan
Buchanan and his spectacular aerobatic hang-gliding
routine, "Flying Colors", Greg Poe with his Edge
540, aerobatic monoplane and "Attitude is
Everything" performance, Kent Pietsch and his
Interstate Cadet flying comedy act, Scott Hammock,
another returnee, in his flame spewing jet-powered
dragster, Steve Appleton, in his first time
appearance, flying a red Hawker Hunter jet, the
"World's Fastest Airshow Team", the "Starfighters",
operating two Lockheed produced CF-104's of the
1960's and '70's jet era, and lastly, the
centerpiece presentation - the U.S. Navy's "Wall of
Fire."
Special Events were also of
significance this year, including the first ever
reunion of the crews of the Apollo and Sky Lab
space missions. Astronauts, Buzz Aldrin, William
Anders, Neil Armstrong, Gene Cernan and several
others assembled at a special dinner sponsored by
The Reno Championship Air Races. Master of
Ceremonies was Hugh Downs, longtime former
co-anchor of the ABC news magazine program,
20/20.
A replica of the 1935 Howard
Hughes H-1 race plane also appeared at the Reno
Show with builder/pilot Jim Wright of Cottage,
Oregon. Wright, piloting the Hughes H-1 s/n 2 set a
new world 3 kilometer speed record of 304.07 m.p.h.
for piston aircraft in the H-1's weight class. The
previous record was held by Stephen Oster in an
Aerostar at 266.03 m.p.h. The original H-1 is on
exhibit in the Golden Age of Flight gallery at the
National Air and Space Museum in Washington
D.C.
The Rolls-Royce Aviation
Heritage Trophy competition was back for a third
year. A joint effort under the auspices of
Rolls-Royce North America, the National Aviation
Hall of Fame, the Reno Air Racing Association and
the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum,
encouraging the preservation of aviation history
through the preservation and/or restoration of
vintage aircraft. Past winners were: 1999 - Bob
Odegaard of Kindred, North Dakota and his F2G-1D
"Super Corsair", 2000 - Ray and Sherri Dieckman of
Corona Del Mar, California and their FG-1D Corsair,
"Marines Dream", and for this year a Fairey Firefly
AS6, restored as a Mk. 5 with cannons, NX518WB, s/n
FS134054 owned and flown by Eddie Kurdziel (Capt.)
of San Diego, CA.
Air Race fans met some
emotional highs and lows during race week.
September 11 observances, the tragic accidental
death of Tommy Rose from Hickory, Mississippi when
his Questair Venture 20 crashed just past the home
pylon, apparently due to wake turbulence during a
heat race on the Friday. A second Questair in that
same race also crashed, but on landing, after the
race had been 'red flagged'. Michael Dacey of Pismo
Beach CA, however, walked away from his wreck
without serious injury. Brent Hisey survived the
crash of his P-51 Mustang, "Miss America" after
blowing the engine at the start of a qualifying lap
on Wednesday, when the 'Miss' spun off the runway
after a main wheel smacked a ditch. Early in the
week "Czech Mate", the sleek Yak 11 with Sherman
Smoot aboard experienced a runaway propeller when
the big motor over-sped, some say, to more than
5,000 rpm Also Tom Dwelle's big hybrid Fury #10
"Critical Mass" fell victim to a collapsed landing
gear on an after flight taxi which also scratched
their race action. "Dago Red", a P-51D Mustang,
driven by Skip Holm scorched the course to qualify,
at what must have been a record speed of 497.787
m.p.h. Bill Destefani in "Strega" also a P-51
Mustang was not far behind plying another amazing
course speed of 486.798 m.p.h. before exploding his
#1 race engine. A loaner motor from friend Dan
Martin was brought in from Hollister CA, but
despite Herculean efforts, "Strega" never did
return to form even after jumping up to the 'Gold'
from winning of the 'Silver' race on Saturday. A
suspected burned piston took the "Tiger" and his
'Witch' out of the big race before completing the
first lap. The popular "Rare Bear" #77, expected to
be back in the hunt this year almost made it. The
'Bear' and pilot John Penny missed the cutoff for
qualifying with alternator troubles. Short of
smooth running by only a couple of days, if that,
leaving a lot of fans disappointed and looking to
next year. Regardless of the sick, injured and
broken "Unlimiteds" there was still lots of good
racing with sufficient numbers to run race rosters
for the Bronze, Silver and Gold categories with
Mustangs, Furies and Yaks. Of interest is the fact
that of the 10 top qualifiers, 5 were P-51 Mustangs
and 5 were Hawker Furies.
Mary Dilda of Memphis TN set
the pace and narrowly bested the boys with a win of
the first-ever jet heat race at Reno in the
Thursday competitions. Then later she slid into her
T-6 Texan, "Two of Hearts", #22 and almost won that
one as well. Racing great Darryl Greenameyer, 66,
unretired himself to set a Sport Class qualifying
record of nearly 348 mph in a supercharged,
flapless Lancair Legacy. Another record shattered
was in the Biplane Class when David Rose of La
Jolla, CA qualified at 227 m.p.h. in a Peregrine,
named "Rags".
Race Sunday saw a change of
weather from great to not so great &endash; an
onset of clouds and big wind which pummeled the
afternoon flyers with dust and severe
crosswinds.
Having a lot of the
contenders out of the 'Unlimited Gold' gave "Dago
Red" and Skip Holm a good edge on the pack. Sure
enough, from the 'getgo' #4 grabbed lead position,
and held it to win with a course speed of 466.834
m.p.h. Michael Brown in "September Fury", #232
placed second, posting a speed of 455.965. Bob
Button's "Voodoo", #5, like "Dago", a P-51 Mustang,
with Matt Jackson in the seat garnered third spot
at a speed of 435.614 m.p.h.
Winners of the 'Unlimited'
Silver and Bronze races were respectively Joe
Thibodeau in #21 "Sea Fury" at 388.272, Randy
Bailey also flying a Sea Fury, #911 "September
Pops" at a course speed of 385.917
m.p.h.
Tom Campau flying #21
"Mystical Power" captured Gold in the AT-6 Class
posting a speed of 231.614 m.p.h., and Jim Good
took the Silver race in #7 timed at 222.106 m.p.h.
Darryl Greenameyer picked up
the Sport Gold in a Lancair Legend, #33 with a
course speed of 328.967 m.p.h.
Winner of the Biplane Gold
was David Rose in "Rags" #3 at 224.200, class
record.
Formula One Gold champion
was Gary Hubler in #95 at 249.560 m.p.h.
The Jets Race was won by
Curt Brown in #5 at 456.540 m.p.h. and Mary Dilda
in #22 a close second at 455.114 m.p.h.
For more detailed Air Race
Results you can refer to www.pylon1.com
Story and Photos By Ed
Anderson
Why
Reno-Sparks/Lake Tahoe?
Reno-Sparks/Lake Tahoe is
one of the West's premier convention, tradeshow and
meeting destinations. The area offers planners:
unique meeting venues and facilities; professional
service; and a wide variety of local attractions,
day trips and special events, all at a great value.
Take a look below for
commonly requested information. From facility
specifics to an overview of the destination, we
know you will see that planning an event in
Reno-Sparks/Lake Tahoe makes perfect
sense.
Contact Reno at
meetings@rscva.com or 1-800-443-1482 Ext. 7786 with
any further questions or to begin planning your
event today.
Reno/Tahoe International
Adds Flights
By May 1, 2002, Reno/Tahoe International
Airport will offer 81 daily departures, just two
shy from pre-September 11 levels.
"This bodes well for the
Reno, Sparks, Tahoe region, and validates the
resiliency of our market," said Krys T. Bart,
executive director of the Airport Authority of
Washoe County.
·Effective March 15,
United Airlines will add a fifth flight to San
Francisco, restoring United's San Francisco service
to pre-September 11 levels.
·Effective April 7,
Southwest Airlines will offer a fourth flight to
Portland, OR.
·Effective May 1,
America West will add a sixth daily flight to
Phoenix, AZ.
Contact airlines for
schedule information, or log on to the airport's
website at www.renoairport.com Much more to
come.
Stars And Diamonds Shine
At Tahoe's New Grand Lodge
INCLINE VILLAGE,
NV&emdash;February 14, 2002&emdash;Hyatt Regency
Lake Tahoe Resort and Casino has been awarded
Four-Star, Four-Diamond status once again. The
prestigious Mobile Four-Star Award places the Hyatt
among America's Best Hotels. The highly regarded
American Automobile Association's Four-Diamond
Award has been bestowed upon the resort for seven
consecutive years.
The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
is one of six hotels in the state of Nevada, and
one of two in Lake Tahoe to achieve the Mobile
Four-Star Award. The esteemed Four-Star Award
honors only those properties that provide
exceptional achievement in guest accommodations and
attention to detail. Five-Star status was awarded
to only 25 lodging properties across the United
States, while Four-Star status was achieved by only
240 lodging properties. There are over 22,000
lodging and dining establishments involved in this
rating system.
Hyatt's Four Diamond
Award is one of the lodging and restaurant
industry's most prestigious honors. This
distinction is awarded only to establishments that
maintain a high level of service on a consistent
basis. The four-star award symbolizes an "upscale"
facility that offers a wide variety of amenities
not only in the guest rooms, but also in the public
areas and on the surrounding grounds of the
property.
"It's an honor to receive
both the Four-Star and Four-Diamond Awards," said
Jordan Meisner, vice president/managing director of
the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and Casino.
"This is a result of a concerted team effort and
our commitment to high standards of
service."
Two of the foremost travel
guidebooks are the Mobil Travel Guide and the AAA
Tour Book. Both guides provide comprehensive, up to
date information on lodging properties utilizing a
one to five diamond or star rating system.
Information may also be obtained on their websites
at www.exxonmobiletravel.com and
www.csaa.com.
The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
Resort and Casino is a four-star, luxury lakeshore
getaway located on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe in
Incline Village, Nevada. The recent renovation
transformed the resort into a "Grand Lodge"
property reminiscent of the elegant High Sierra
lodgings of the 1920s. The décor boasts a
reflection of the nature and environment of Lake
Tahoe in each of 449 guestrooms and the 24 Lakeside
Cottages. The resort features an 18,900 square foot
24-hour casino, a full service Spa Hyatt and a
choice of eateries including the award winning
lakefront Lone Eagle Grille. For room reservations
and more information call toll free (800) 233-1234
or direct at (775) 832-1234 or visit the website at
www.laketahoehyatt.com.
Contact: Karen Vaughn
Web site: http://www.laketahoehyatt.com
E-mail:
karen@laketahoehyatt.com
A complimentary copy of the
"Top 100 Events in North America" may be obtained
by sending a postcard to: American Bus
Association,
1100 New York Ave., N.W., Suite 1050
Washington, DC 20005-3934 or a fax to:
(202) 842-0850 or e-mail to: abainfo@buses.org.
Additional copies are U.S.$3 each to cover postage
and handling
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