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AIR RACING ANYONE?
Reno Air
Race Association
Announces New Racing Series
| FlightLine Update 4-2-98 In last month's feature story, "The Next Piston Show", we reported; "It has been suggested by some very well placed players in this game, that a new "unlimited" class will be born within limits on engine size" and the Thunder Mustang may "become the model for a future racing series". We've just received news, from the Reno Air Race Association, of the birth of an exciting new racing class that will open up one of the most interesting and competitive series ever to grace the Reno pylons. Sitting right smack within the outer limits of the new rules is none other than the beautiful new Thunder Mustang! Warm up the Lancair's and Glasair's! Last month it was announced that the
powerful T-28's would be added to the '98 race line-up,
as well as an increase in prize money by $120,000. (note:
previous information called for only a $100,000 upping of
the purse.) Yet another new class of air racing is
being added to the 1998 Reno Air Races... Dr. Jack Walther, Reno National Championship Air Races Chairman, said, "This is truly a first and it should provide a lot of excitement in as much as it will give the average pilot in his or her kit built aircraft a chance to go racing. The purpose of Sport Class air racing is to highlight the new and innovative work being done in the development of high performance kit built aircraft. We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to field this new event." The Sport Class Air Racing
Association has developed a racing format Reminiscent of the the early days, the new competitors should make for nearly NONSTOP racing action! Filling the gaps between events, the US Navy will provide exciting demonstrations, featuring aircraft from it's TOP-GUN Fighter Weapons School from nearby Fallon, Nevada. The school was relocated to NAS Fallon recently, after closure of the Naval Air Station at Miramar, California. Several veteran air-show performers are also scheduled to appear. Tickets for this year's Reno Air
Races are now available by To bring everyone up to date with all
of the changes for this years Reno National Championship
Air Races, here is the current breakdown of racing
series: [click here for breakdown of classes and rules] With the addition of two new race
classes, along with the intriguing developments in the
Unlimited-Class, the 1998 Reno National Championship Air
Race is shaping up to be one of the most interesting and
evolutionary events in modern air racing history. -Mark Kallio and Wayne Sagar- |
. The Sport Racing Class will
take the pylons at this year's Reno Air Races. (Sept.17th
through 20th at Reno-Stead Airport) These kit-built
aircraft will be racing for the first time in Reno. 
for
this new class of aircraft which will demonstrate its
capability to showcase their new designs and racing
skills. A turnout of 16-20 entries is expected. In order
to be eligible to enter, the new class of racing planes
must be production kit-built and powered by a
reciprocating engine of 650 cubic inches or less. Engine
size is a "total engine size" requirement,
bringing hope of future outgrowth in the multi-engine
aircraft realm. Bearing in mind these aircraft must be
available in kit form, some very interesting new designs
might be expected to be developed in response to this new
class. All aircraft must have a current FAA
airworthiness certificate. Pilot requirements are a
minimum of 500 hours in the type of aircraft to be raced
and EAA certification for formation flight. The Reno Air
Race Association will host a "pilots school",
July 17-19, for the T28, T6, Unlimited and Sport classes,
with instruction being provided by some of the most
experienced pilots in the sport.