Pre Race Images

[GriffonGirl]

"Capitalist Pig" is the Pace Plane for the L-39s, flown by Jeff Turney, Jet and Sport Class co-founder:

[GriffonGirl]

Pre Race Images

The Jets coming down the chute for the practice run:

[GriffonGirl]

Pre Race Images

A trio of Jet Racers on the straightaway passing Home Pylon:

[GriffonGirl]

Pre Race Images

There are three Jet Racers in this photo, entering the straightaway from Outer Pylon Eight. The third is just below the ridgeline of the hill in the foreground:

[GriffonGirl]

Pre Race Images

Shuttle Astronauts compete -- Curt Brown, in Race 5, "American Spirit," leads Robert K. "Hoot" Gibson, in Race 15, "Czech Mate," into the straightaway during Jet Racer practice earlier this week. Practice or not, this is a "race" in their minds :

[GriffonGirl]

Pre Race Images

Spectacular view of Curt Brown and the "American Spirit" on the straightaway, still in a bank and aiming for Pylon One (no, we shall resist the strafing jokes!):

NOT!!!

RAT AT TAT TAT!!!

[GriffonGirl]

Pre Race Images

An equally (no pun intended) spectacular view of Mary Dilda's Race 22, "Heartless," and I have this really funny joke, but she still can't hear me screaming it from the ramp...though ramp security is giving me the evil "terrorist" eye:

[GriffonGirl]

Pre Race Images

Curt Brown leading Mary Dilda into the straightaway during practice. On Thursday, Mary edged out Curt Brown in one of the closest air races in history, with a speed of 410.868 mph versus Brown's speed of 410.863 mph, to mark her place in history -- man or woman -- as the first person to ever win an actual Jet race event at the Reno National Championship Air Races. Mary is going for the Gold in both the Jet Class and AT-6 Class during this 39th Annual competition: