There's a constant confusion as to the Unlimited race course, it's changes, and the so called 'optimum race path'.
Let's lay-out the specifics....
The attacks on our country, 9/11/2001
RARA and the races also suffered, as the races were cancelled mid-week. (During qualifying) Nothing could fly. RARA lost a bunch of $$$.
However, they managed to come back..and bring us racing in 2002. And we had racing. Thanks RARA and Fans!
Note; Skip was at the helm of Dago, and he showed it's awesome potential by posting a qualifying speed of 497 and change.
But unfortunately, still no 500mph...
in 2002, the new 'JET' class had started..in hopes of gaining fans and exposure..but...well we know the outcome of that.
For those attending the races for at least the last two decades, you know how elusive the 500mph lap was (IS)
ENTER RENO 2003
RARA knew they had a hot bird returning in Skip, and Dago. They also knew that 500+ would bring in the fans. So what did they do? They devised a new means of measuring the race course(s) The excuse was, it would be more accurate..
In reality, it was a false calculation, devised to give the papers the 500mph mark. And it worked.. Look at Dago's 2003 records.
But guess what? Still NO REAL 500 mph Unlimited lap.
And guess what.. using the old standard.. there still has not been one.
Add to the confusion, the course has gotten smaller and smaller.
After the events of 2011, the race course was seriously evaluated.
Most people confuse the new post-2011 Unlimited course as being just smaller. This is not true. Ask the Gold Sport class pilots too.. It is a little bit smaller... But much more efficient. It is a faster course, regardless of it's size, than the 2011 course. Is it faster than the old 9+ mile course? Probably not.. But it's certainly faster than 2011.
The details:
Today RARA publishes the Unlimited course at 8.0851 miles.
The actual course distance is: 7.9107 miles
What's the difference?
Published: Stevo's 2014 Q-Time 01:00.731 = 479.267mph
Actual: Stevo's 2014 Q-Time 01:00.731 = 468.931mph
What would a real 500mph lap be on the clock?? About 00:56.957
Or, or a lap published at 511.023mph
The design of today's course, excluding the height restrictions, has the most efficient course at Reno, to-date. It doesn't favor the Bearcat. If Penney was on the course again, #77 would have half a chance. I've observed the Gold Unlimited's now from #2,#4,#5,#8, and the West Valley. Hoot's flying the best line. Will Whiteside might be a close second. Either of those guys in a Healthy Strega, or Voodoo..and you'd see that 511 shattered.
Would really like to see Stevo fly a different line between #6/8, and #2...
Who wants to see a genuine 500mph lap in 2015? I know I want it!!
- Joseph
Let's lay-out the specifics....
The attacks on our country, 9/11/2001
RARA and the races also suffered, as the races were cancelled mid-week. (During qualifying) Nothing could fly. RARA lost a bunch of $$$.
However, they managed to come back..and bring us racing in 2002. And we had racing. Thanks RARA and Fans!
Note; Skip was at the helm of Dago, and he showed it's awesome potential by posting a qualifying speed of 497 and change.
But unfortunately, still no 500mph...
in 2002, the new 'JET' class had started..in hopes of gaining fans and exposure..but...well we know the outcome of that.
For those attending the races for at least the last two decades, you know how elusive the 500mph lap was (IS)
ENTER RENO 2003
RARA knew they had a hot bird returning in Skip, and Dago. They also knew that 500+ would bring in the fans. So what did they do? They devised a new means of measuring the race course(s) The excuse was, it would be more accurate..
In reality, it was a false calculation, devised to give the papers the 500mph mark. And it worked.. Look at Dago's 2003 records.
But guess what? Still NO REAL 500 mph Unlimited lap.
And guess what.. using the old standard.. there still has not been one.
Add to the confusion, the course has gotten smaller and smaller.
After the events of 2011, the race course was seriously evaluated.
Most people confuse the new post-2011 Unlimited course as being just smaller. This is not true. Ask the Gold Sport class pilots too.. It is a little bit smaller... But much more efficient. It is a faster course, regardless of it's size, than the 2011 course. Is it faster than the old 9+ mile course? Probably not.. But it's certainly faster than 2011.
The details:
Today RARA publishes the Unlimited course at 8.0851 miles.
The actual course distance is: 7.9107 miles
What's the difference?
Published: Stevo's 2014 Q-Time 01:00.731 = 479.267mph
Actual: Stevo's 2014 Q-Time 01:00.731 = 468.931mph
What would a real 500mph lap be on the clock?? About 00:56.957
Or, or a lap published at 511.023mph
The design of today's course, excluding the height restrictions, has the most efficient course at Reno, to-date. It doesn't favor the Bearcat. If Penney was on the course again, #77 would have half a chance. I've observed the Gold Unlimited's now from #2,#4,#5,#8, and the West Valley. Hoot's flying the best line. Will Whiteside might be a close second. Either of those guys in a Healthy Strega, or Voodoo..and you'd see that 511 shattered.
Would really like to see Stevo fly a different line between #6/8, and #2...
Who wants to see a genuine 500mph lap in 2015? I know I want it!!
- Joseph
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