An oldie

[wingman]

OK -- this shot is probably from before some of you race fans were born. An imperfect scan, but still interesting to look at. Notice the condition of the ramp, the fact that there is no National Guard facility out there, and the new housing developments just starting out there in the distance. Notice also the relaxed atmosphere and lack of security, crowd lines etc. It was a different time. Stead was just a crumbling ex Air Force Base with not a new building or hangar in sight, and the Races were just a struggling rather casual event.

Different times, and I was just a beginner at all this...

Neal

[Reever]

Re: An oldie

What year was the Guard facility put in?

[Leo]

Re: An oldie

I had Hinton sign a copy of this one a few years ago and he held it up against the background and said "my god there was nothing there back then!"
Now it's so built up it's scary.

[fastpace]

Re: An oldie

They had good sponsors back then also, now so many are leaving Reno. Did NBC do Reno justice I do not know, they showed it one time full of commercials and no reruns, even Red Bull and Airplane Repo get reruns.

[Leo]

Re: An oldie

I'm guessing a sponsorship cost a LOT less back then, even in adjusted dollars, than it would now.

[Lon Moer]

Re: An oldie

OK -- this shot is probably from before some of you race fans were born. An imperfect scan, but still interesting to look at. Notice the condition of the ramp, the fact that there is no National Guard facility out there, and the new housing developments just starting out there in the distance. Notice also the relaxed atmosphere and lack of security, crowd lines etc. It was a different time. Stead was just a crumbling ex Air Force Base with not a new building or hangar in sight, and the Races were just a struggling rather casual event.

Different times, and I was just a beginner at all this...

Neal

Leeward Mustang before the "Cloud Dancer" movie.

[fastpace]

Re: An oldie

That is a definte yes but take the four big ones out and we have a hopped up unlimited stock class but also giving credit to the other competeing class's. Unlimited has gotton to the point of going so fast that the $$$ can not support the reward. Will I miss the 4,000 HP Merlins OH Yes

[supercub]

Re: An oldie

Who's Bearcat is that? I don't recognize the paint scheme.

[wingman]

Re: An oldie

I did not date the photo. Anybody want to guess the year (I think Big Jim will be able to)? That will help you to identify the Bearcat. It raced for several years in that paint, and was eventually sold and raced again by the new owner.

Here's a somewhat unsharp and unsatisfying shot of the Bearcat in a different year that at least shows the paint scheme:

[Lon Moer]

Re: An oldie

I did not date the photo. Anybody want to guess the year (I think Big Jim will be able to)? That will help you to identify the Bearcat. It raced for several years in that paint, and was eventually sold and raced again by the new owner.

Here's a somewhat unsharp and unsatisfying shot of the Bearcat in a different year that at least shows the paint scheme:

That one's dated.
So I'm going with "race #8/Precious Bear".

[wingman]

Re: An oldie

Yep -- that's the only Bearcat I've ever seen in quite that paint job. I always kind of liked it.

[FlyKidChris]

Re: An oldie

Who's Bearcat is that? I don't recognize the paint scheme.

Whittington brothers, as I recall. It's been a long time, though.

[Big_Jim]

Re: An oldie

They had good sponsors back then also, now so many are leaving Reno. Did NBC do Reno justice I do not know, they showed it one time full of commercials and no reruns, even Red Bull and Airplane Repo get reruns.

Do you know the reason WHY they had the Michelob Light sponsorship? It was a good sponsor, but it was that plane with that company for a reason.

[Big_Jim]

Re: An oldie

I did not date the photo. Anybody want to guess the year (I think Big Jim will be able to)? That will help you to identify the Bearcat. It raced for several years in that paint, and was eventually sold and raced again by the new owner.

Here's a somewhat unsharp and unsatisfying shot of the Bearcat in a different year that at least shows the paint scheme:

The ramp photo is 1977. The first year that the Whittington's brought the Bearcat. It is the former Tom's Cat, Tonopah Queen, Miss Priss, Sweet Pea....and currently Wampus Cat at the Historic Flight Foundation with John Sessions.

Don raced both it and Precious Metal in '77. Bill didn't race that year, and next year was his unfortunate introduction to Reno in the H-Mustang.

[ignomini]

Re: An oldie

Here's a somewhat unsharp and unsatisfying shot of the Bearcat in a different year that at least shows the paint scheme:

You mean like the photos most of us take, most of the time...