"THE DOCTOR"

"Little did I know that, one; once you get in the racing scene, the fence surrounds the fanatics and keeps them on display for the more stable members of society. And, two; forty-five years later, I would look back on my activities and realize that the Merlin Engine has been the focal point of my adult life."

These are the words of Dwight Thorn, the legendary master of the Merlin Engine utilized in some of the top Air Racers of their day. From hanging off a fence to see the Hydroplane Races of the 1950s, to being in the Pits during the Reno National Championship Air Races of today, Thorn has been both spectator and a man in the forefront of competition.

Dwight Thorn will make the formal announcement of his retirement at the Annual National Air Racing Group (NAG) banquet on January 19, 2002. He has invited you readers the opportunity to pose questions to him about his time in Air Racing, the best of which will be selected by Dwight, then read and answered aloud at the upcoming banquet.

This is the man that developed the famed "Mouse Motor" that carried Bill Destefani to six National Championships in the span of eleven years, or kept him close-in on the tails of competitors like Lyle Shelton and Skip Holm during the years in-between.

What questions would you like to ask an Air Racing legend? Put your best together, then come visit us at: "Ask THE DOCTOR" and add your question. We'll be taping audio at the banquet, so those of you who cannot attend will still have the opportunity to hear the master read your name and question aloud, and answer it for you. Playback will be here at AAFO.COM in the week following the banquet.

As for those of you who can attend the banquet, AAFO.COM will see you there!

Photo © 2002 Wayne Sagar all rights reserved-

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