With two races left, Cote darted into the lead on Saturday, winning that event at 245.181 mph, compared to Hubler's speed of 240.985 mph. The deciding Race was on Sunday –that being the Gold event itself—which Cote went on to win at a speed of 245.912 mph, with Hubler finishing second at 242.966 mph. This was Cote's "Lucky" 13th National Championship in International Formula One.
Noticeably absent from this year's race were the two new aircraft, Chuck Coleman's Race 9, "Veruna," and Hoover's new project. Add those two projects and Jay Jones new design—the "Purple Nickel"—to the IF1 competition next year, and we may see a totally different outcome in Formula One at R2001.
However, as long as Ray Cote remains in Formula One, he remains the man to beat, and until he is beaten, there's no telling what Alley Cat's top speed may be. Cote is always squeezing a little more out of the Owl design during the off season.
Thus, IF1 in 2001 will be a barn burner, much like the races expected in the AT-6, Sport, and Unlimited Divisions, in an event which may also include the introduction of the Jet Division and the reintroduction of the T-28 Division, all under one "Big Top."
Whether 2001 will be the fastest Air Race ever seen has yet to be seen, however, everything bodes well for that to happen. If you "Feel the Need for Speed," Reno is the place to be eleven months from now...
...as if you weren't coming anyway !
