Okay, it's been a whole week since the Unlimited Gold Final, and now that I've had time to put together some post-Reno thoughts, here are a few of my reflections on this year's air races:
1) Congrats once again to Team Rare Bear on their second consecutive win. They overcame any and all obsticles necessary to stay out front in the heat races and the Gold Final. Look forward to seeing you next year.
2) 237+ mph for Miss Gianna, the top biplane qualifier! WHOA! I remember just a few short years ago Patti Johnson blowing away the competition running in the 212+ mph range.
3) Anybody else think Darryl Greenamyer's got pretty close to 400 mph in that Lancair if he's ever seriously challenged? BIG TIME kudos to John Parker for keeping him honest in the Thunder, but without the help of turbo or supercharging, catching Greenamyer's gonna be a tall order.
4) Stewart Dawson continues to amaze me. Now sporting arguably the best looking Unlimited racer on the ramp, Spirit of Texas seems to increase it's speed by 5-10 mph every year while continuing to fly "under the radar" on everyone's list of fast-movers. I remember him winning the Bronze Final his rookie year back in 1997 at something around 390 mph, and now he routinely runs in the 430-435 mph range without benefit of a super tricked-out R-3350. This guy's a racer through and through.
5) Jimmy Leeward comes to Reno strictly for the fun of it, but does anyone else think seeing him in a top-notch contender in 2006 is gonna be a whole lotta fun? That guy can flat-out fly.
6) David Hoover's new F-1 racer is a sight to behold. When leaving the field heading to dinner on Monday evening, that beauty sitting in front of the RARA hangar stopped us right in our tracks. VERY cool!
7) What would the races be without Al Goss and his Warlock T-6? SUPER kind and generous folks, a kick-ass party every year, and one hell of an air racer. Look forward to seeing the Dilda/Goss showdown again next year!
8) Most unlikely sight at Reno 2005: Dwight Thorn disciple and Merlin guru Mike Wilton wearing a "Round Engines Rule" T-shirt. Geez, what's next? President Bush announcing his support for Hilary Clinton in 2008?
9) If every warbird owner/pilot sat down and talked to Conch Fury pilot Fred Cabanas for just 10 minutes, there would be 50 Unlimiteds on the ramp next year. The enthusiasm he and his crew showed all week was absolutely infectious. Sincerely hope to see them return in 2006.
10) Damn, do we EVER need more fast Mustangs next year!
11) Speaking of fast Mustangs, great to see Merlin's Magic return for 2005 in a most unlikley scenario. Their long-standing streak of attending every Reno since 1988 remains intact, and look for them to return considerably faster in 2006. Soooooo good to see all those folks again, and look forward to seeing them next year.
That's about all I can think of offhand, but I'm sure to think of more later. Anybody else care to add their thoughts to the list?
SA
1) Congrats once again to Team Rare Bear on their second consecutive win. They overcame any and all obsticles necessary to stay out front in the heat races and the Gold Final. Look forward to seeing you next year.
2) 237+ mph for Miss Gianna, the top biplane qualifier! WHOA! I remember just a few short years ago Patti Johnson blowing away the competition running in the 212+ mph range.
3) Anybody else think Darryl Greenamyer's got pretty close to 400 mph in that Lancair if he's ever seriously challenged? BIG TIME kudos to John Parker for keeping him honest in the Thunder, but without the help of turbo or supercharging, catching Greenamyer's gonna be a tall order.
4) Stewart Dawson continues to amaze me. Now sporting arguably the best looking Unlimited racer on the ramp, Spirit of Texas seems to increase it's speed by 5-10 mph every year while continuing to fly "under the radar" on everyone's list of fast-movers. I remember him winning the Bronze Final his rookie year back in 1997 at something around 390 mph, and now he routinely runs in the 430-435 mph range without benefit of a super tricked-out R-3350. This guy's a racer through and through.
5) Jimmy Leeward comes to Reno strictly for the fun of it, but does anyone else think seeing him in a top-notch contender in 2006 is gonna be a whole lotta fun? That guy can flat-out fly.
6) David Hoover's new F-1 racer is a sight to behold. When leaving the field heading to dinner on Monday evening, that beauty sitting in front of the RARA hangar stopped us right in our tracks. VERY cool!
7) What would the races be without Al Goss and his Warlock T-6? SUPER kind and generous folks, a kick-ass party every year, and one hell of an air racer. Look forward to seeing the Dilda/Goss showdown again next year!
8) Most unlikely sight at Reno 2005: Dwight Thorn disciple and Merlin guru Mike Wilton wearing a "Round Engines Rule" T-shirt. Geez, what's next? President Bush announcing his support for Hilary Clinton in 2008?
9) If every warbird owner/pilot sat down and talked to Conch Fury pilot Fred Cabanas for just 10 minutes, there would be 50 Unlimiteds on the ramp next year. The enthusiasm he and his crew showed all week was absolutely infectious. Sincerely hope to see them return in 2006.
10) Damn, do we EVER need more fast Mustangs next year!
11) Speaking of fast Mustangs, great to see Merlin's Magic return for 2005 in a most unlikley scenario. Their long-standing streak of attending every Reno since 1988 remains intact, and look for them to return considerably faster in 2006. Soooooo good to see all those folks again, and look forward to seeing them next year.
That's about all I can think of offhand, but I'm sure to think of more later. Anybody else care to add their thoughts to the list?
SA
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