Search AAFO.COM

The Very Best In Aviation and Air Race News and Photography

Historic Pylon Bar - Lost to History
In-Stead News
Air Racing Update
Reno Air Races
01-15-08
By Charlene Aero

THE PYLON BAR

On Thursday, September 14, 1995, the Reno Hilton hotel/casino celebrated the sport of air racing, with the dedication of the Pylon Sports Bar that featured full sized Formula-I type racing planes suspended from the ceiling. Air race historian and radio show host, John Tegler recorded several hours of interviews with race pilots, crew members, crew chiefs and other prominent air race personalities, to be broadcast over some 300 radio stations at a later date .

Earlier in the week, several Unlimited Class racing planes were on display in the Reno Hilton parking lot, clearly visible from highway 395. Over the years, many of us have enjoyed this unique air racing themed bar, as we had dinner or just spent some time in the casino and attended many special events, including autograph parties, Phil Wallick’s multi-media presentations and more recently, we witnessed the first public showing of the movie Thunder Over Reno.

The Reno Hilton was recently sold and renamed the Grand Sierra Resort and there was some question as to the fate of the Pylon Bar. During a recent visit to the Grand Sierra Resort for dinner, we were shocked to see that all of the air race memorabilia had been removed including the Formula-I racing planes. The only remaining evidence that the Pylon Bar had even existed, is that magnificent mural, depicting Dago Red, Strega, Rare Bear, the Super Corsair and many other historic racing planes in all their glory. Also remaining is the roster of Champions, located at the north entrance but that may disappear too.

Staci Mitchell, Executive Assistant of the Grand Sierra Resort, said the Formula –I aircraft and all of the air racing memorabilia were “on loan” to the Pylon Bar and had been returned to their original owners. Ms. Mitchell indicated that there were no immediate plans for the bar at this time.

Any one who might have questions or concerns regarding the Pylon Bar, might address their comments to Staci Mitchell at: staci.mitchell@grandsierraresort.com or Reno Gazette Journal at wmartine@rjg.com


 

Google
 
Web aafo.com
 
 

copyright ©1997-2021 Airport Fence Productions, Inc.
-All Aviation FlightLine OnLine-
Reproduction of any part of this website,
without prior permission, is forbidden.

This website is optimized for as many screen resolutions as we possibly can. Please enjoy!

If you have any problems or need to contact us send email to webmaster.


RENO Air Races 2013

FREE LIVE WEBCAST