Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

[AAFO_WSagar]

I'm coming into the mix late this year, having no plan until this week.. That said. I'm attempting to write an article from a first timer viewpoint, much like some of the principals the sport experienced their first time...

For my background info.

Where are you staying this year?
How long have you been attending?

I could list a bunch of questions but I'd really rather hear from you, what got you interested, what else about the area appeals to you?

Where do you stay?

All of this stuff!

See you in a week!!!!!!!

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

Staying with relatives this year. I have done it all from sleeping in the car,tents trailers, motorhome,motel,casinos & as a teenager at the Cleveland Air Races in 1946 I fell asleep in the cockpit of Jimmy Desantos P38 which I was guarding one night. I attended the Cleveland Air Races in 1946-1949 when Bill Odom crashed in 1949 & ended the Cleveland Air Races. I went to Reno a couple of times when they first started & since then I haven't missed since the 80's. Hung around Al Goss in "Warlock" from 1984 -2009. At 84 I'll be there with NAG & Kenny Price in the AT6 pits. All good. Time for a cool one. Wayne & this forum helped me get there along with others on here when things looked bleak for me. Thanks to all.

[kennsmithf2g]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

I'm a first timer at Reno this year. I am staying at the Comfort Inn & Suits at the Reno Airport. Arriving Sunday and thru the week going back home on Monday after the Races.

Been following the races thru various magazines since a little kid in the 60's living in the shadow of Cleveland Hopkins Airport.
The Cox F2G Corsair, Miss America did it for me. At modeling contests (Control Line) seems the spiffy planes (racers) always got the trophies. Really liked the P51 model of Candyman at one of the contests. First racer I did was a scratch built 049 powered Cobra II.

Went to some of the races at Burke at the Air Shows in the 60's-70's.

Was a member of Air Explorer Post 4 (Boy Scouts) sponsored by the Ortner Brothers at Hopkins. We had plane washes instead of car washers back then. Learned about paint oxidation washing a Tripacer..............

Member of several local Model plane clubs...Lockheed Bob....Did you know Dave McIlvaine in the 1946-49 race days? I have a picture of him fueling that P38 that you slept in.

http://https://photos.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Pictures-by-Dave-McIlvaine/i-8kLVnmP/0/M/cle-46-51-p38-d-dm-M.jpg

Tried to join the Aviation and Space Writers Association local chapter that met a NASA when I twas 12..........

Currently Secretary/Treasurer of the Society of Air Racing Historians.

Nothing quite like the smell of aviation fuel in the morning...........or anytime.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

Staying with relatives this year. I have done it all from sleeping in the car,tents trailers, motorhome,motel,casinos & as a teenager at the Cleveland Air Races in 1946 I fell asleep in the cockpit of Jimmy Desantos P38 which I was guarding one night. I attended the Cleveland Air Races in 1946-1949 when Bill Odom crashed in 1949 & ended the Cleveland Air Races. I went to Reno a couple of times when they first started & since then I haven't missed since the 80's. Hung around Al Goss in "Warlock" from 1984 -2009. At 84 I'll be there with NAG & Kenny Price in the AT6 pits. All good. Time for a cool one. Wayne & this forum helped me get there along with others on here when things looked bleak for me. Thanks to all.

Bob, your story is worthy of a freakin' book! If you ever would consider me as a "ghost writer" I'd love to help you tell your story!

I know, it's a DOOZY!

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

I'm a first timer at Reno this year. I am staying at the Comfort Inn & Suits at the Reno Airport. Arriving Sunday and thru the week going back home on Monday after the Races.

Been following the races thru various magazines since a little kid in the 60's living in the shadow of Cleveland Hopkins Airport.
The Cox F2G Corsair, Miss America did it for me. At modeling contests (Control Line) seems the spiffy planes (racers) always got the trophies. Really liked the P51 model of Candyman at one of the contests. First racer I did was a scratch built 049 powered Cobra II.

Went to some of the races at Burke at the Air Shows in the 60's-70's.

Was a member of Air Explorer Post 4 (Boy Scouts) sponsored by the Ortner Brothers at Hopkins. We had plane washes instead of car washers back then. Learned about paint oxidation washing a Tripacer..............

Member of several local Model plane clubs...Lockheed Bob....Did you know Dave McIlvaine in the 1946-49 race days? I have a picture of him fueling that P38 that you slept in.

http://https://photos.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Pictures-by-Dave-McIlvaine/i-8kLVnmP/0/M/cle-46-51-p38-d-dm-M.jpg

Tried to join the Aviation and Space Writers Association local chapter that met a NASA when I twas 12..........

Currently Secretary/Treasurer of the Society of Air Racing Historians.

Nothing quite like the smell of aviation fuel in the morning...........or anytime.

Ken, I lived in the shadow of the Reno Air Races from before they began... I lived in Sparks, almost made it to the first one... (DAMMY)

I certainly remember my first time there, it was 1979, what a Gold Final it was! My first experience there was a sensory experience, among much else, but the level of excitement between Bronze.. which was completely awesome and impressive, then the Silver, "WOW that was a lot faster" to.... OMG, the Gold... all of the previous sounds only on MEGA Steroids! We HAVE TO HOOK UP! All of AAFO'ers!!

Where/when??

[supercub]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

Staying in my motor home at Stead across the street from the Catholic Church.
First attended in 1966, first year they were held at Stead. Flew in as a passenger in a teachers Apache. Yes, back in those days, spectators could fly into Stead. Part of the fun was getting there early then watching 50 plus airplanes on final approach lined up for miles out. Saw some pretty interesting landings.
Back in the early days, all classes except the unlimiteds did a race horse start using a scatter pylon. Things got pretty interesting at the scatter pylon at times. interesting meaning scary. The unlimited course was an oval course with the straight aways angled slightly to the east west runway. We always tried to sit as far to the east as possible, the unlimiteds came very close to you down there. There's some videos on you tube of unlimited's running the old course.
Fell in love with the races from the first minute. Missed several years in the 80's and 90's, but haven't missed a year in the last 15 or so.
Brian

[PowerByPackard]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

I'm a relative newbie compared to most on this board. Been coming since 2000 and can't began to express how upset I am that I didn't start sooner. Aviation is in the family blood. Grandfather was a test pilot for the Army flying everything they had back then, particularly the big iron. Had the most time in the B-17 (his favorite) and then had the ones he didn't like so much like the B-29. My father followed in his footsteps and became the youngest glider pilot in the US when he soloed at age 14 out at Torrey Pines cliffs in 1958, without telling his parents. Now I'm an airport developer in Centennial, Colorado and pretty much watch airplanes all day while "working".

We stay at the Residence Inn (come on........its close to In-N-Out Burger!) down south and have a big group that joins us every year to sit out in the boxes. Have held an annual dinner at Berth Miranda's every year that is one of my favorites. Over the years we have probably introduced over 100 new people to air racing. Some come and go and others haven't missed since the first time they saw it. We've seen a few changes, and I know it isn't what it used to be, but it still gets the blood flowing with excitement. Airplanes are cool no matter what, and I will be there to see all of them until they tell me I can't come anymore.

My posts here are infrequent but I visit the site almost every single day just to see if something exciting is going on, so thank you Wayne for making this available to us. It is very much appreciated.

Have a great race week everyone. My pilgrimage begins in six days and I'm already having trouble sleeping from the excitement.

God Bless.

[Leo]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

Been going to damn long (since 76). Done everything to stay there, from sleeping in the car, tents, campers. My father-in-law went with me from 1988 to 2011, he hasn't been since. I think the crash was a little too close for him (I still have an oil spattered shirt). My son started going at age 3. He's 26 now, a huge fan and very involved out there.
Moved next door in 2003 so I get to commute 5 minutes to home every night. It's more comfortable and a lot less smelly by the end of the week but I do miss the evening bull sessions at the campground.
I'll be out there all day every day from Saturday until the following Sunday. I'm easy to find, just look for the hat!

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

Ken I don't remember Dave by name but that is me on the wing of the P38 with Jimmy Desanto,who always wore his jump boots from WWII. I was 14 at the time & Jimmy took me under his wings. Jimmy bailed out of the Curtis P60E when the tail came off at low altitude. He almost landed on top of the crash. Stop by the T6 pits. I'll be by the T6 that brings them down the chute.

[wingman]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

Fine drawing Leo, and great stories, Bob. Must tingle your heart a bit to see that photograph...

Neal

[Fence Sence]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

In staying home! In Sparks. I'm lucky enough to have been born in Reno and I've lived in the Truckee Meadows all my life. Had a house inside the '64/'65 courses for 7 or so years. I've been going since before I can remember. RB5 was my favorite as a child. I distinctly remember the black column of smoke from '79. I was 6yo. I missed a few years in the 80s after my folks split up and my father moved away and I was too young to go by myself. But I haven't missed any since! This time of year is special around here. The air is cool but the sun is warm. The sagebrush is blooming, the Quail are calling and it smells like air racing!

[CJAM427]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

I'm camping at the Church and its my first year going! I've been a fan of the sport for as long as I can remember, it probably started with my Grandpa showing me pictures of Rare Bear and Strega (he's a fan too). Seeing Cloud Dancer, Riff Raff and Bob Odegaard in the F2G at Oshkosh got me completely hooked into air racing.

[Bernard Nieberg]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

Staying at the Grand Sierra resort.
6th year for me, missed last year due to home renovations!
Parking at St. Michael's

Originally came for the Unlimiteds but really enjoying the Sport class now!

[Matt58]

Re: Where Are You Staying For Reno National Championship Air Races?

Compared to a lot of people on this site, I am a relative new comer to this sport. I have always been a airplane guy; my uncle introduced me to flying when he bought his 172 when I was just a little fella; he inspired me so much that I began to work towards my private pilots license when I was still in high school.

That was all put on hold when I attended Boise State University in 1997 to play football. Originally from the Elk Grove, CA area, Boise, ID was a breath of fresh air for me. After graduating in 2002, I decided to move back to CA in march of 2003 to look for work. One day, in the local hobby shop looking at RC plane stuff, I saw a flyer for a bus trip to the Reno Air Races.

I mentioned it to my uncle and he decided we should head up for the day. September 2003 was my first air race. We made it up for the Friday show. All I remember is, I had never heard anything like that before! I was instantly hooked.

I raced home to scour the interwebs for anything I could regarding air racing and was fortunate enough to come across this awesome site and have been a member ever since.

After some quick research, I was able to determine I was hooked into the Voodoo team through family, further fueling my passion.

I have made it every year since then. Some years we camp at an RV park, some years in a hotel, and some years in a car. I don't specifically remember the year; I wanna say 2005 or 2006, but we had just moved back to Boise and money was tight. I wanted to make the races real bad but had no one to go with and no plans. I mentioned to my wife I was gonna drive down early Sunday morning, around midnight, watch the races all day, then drive back to Boise. She though I was crazy and decided to join me for the marathon trip. She's still not a fan but she made it possible for me to go that year.

I have led many new people to this sport; some of which still join me for the annual pilgrimage. This year, there will be four of us, all meeting up Friday night in Reno. I was fortunate enough to get a real hook-up at the Grand Sierra Resort so this year that will be bas camp. Some of us will come from Boise, the others from the Sacramento area.

We will party from Friday night until Monday morning; watching the best sport in the world with the best friends anyone could ask for!!!