High Hopes and Disappointment

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Attrition Takes It's Toll as Racing Begins in Earnest!

After much tense investigation into the cause of the failure in the number 1 race engine, the team went ahead and installed the second race motor. After a few flights and engine runs, the sad verdict. Making metal! Just like the number 1 engine, the number 2 shared the same problem and the team is out for the year.

Wednesday evening visitors enjoyed the hospitality of the Warlock T-6 Race Team as the annual Wednesday pit bash took place under beautifully clear skies at the high desert Reno, Nevada location.

Thursday morning came early for racers and press corps alike as we gathered for a mandatory briefing at the Reno Air Race Association facility at Reno Stead Airport. RARA President Mike Hougton gave the standard "don't go there" in the case of an accident as well as a warm greeting in the chill Nevada morning air. Then we were off for the brief bus ride to the holy grail of Air Racing... The PYLONS!

Getting out early gives the photographers a chance to see the highly competitive "little guys" of the sport, the International Formula One and Biplane divisions. And there was some hot competition in both!

Gary Hubler and David Hoover went at it tooth and nail in the opening IF1 battle. The Sport Biplanes saw the potential of Jeff Lo's new "Pitts" biplane to its fullest as he quickly passed the entire field from his last place inverted start starting position. (slowest first, top runners must pass all to win)

T-6 racing saw a very tight battle between "Gordo" Sanders in Big Red and Wayne Cartwright in Six Shooter. The two T-6 racers swapped places for the entire race and ended up with Cartwright barely 2/100 of a mile per hour faster than Sanders for the win.

Unlimited racing saw Jimmy leeward pull out front handily in bronze heat only to fall well back midway into the racing action.

Time constraints keep us from reporting further on the day's events, expect more complete coverage in future updates.

Unless otherwise noted
Story and photos by Wayne Sagar