This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

[Randy Haskin]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

The "special visor" sounds cool...who is gonna pay for it? I don't even have that kind of technology in my $3 million supersonic jet trainer OR the $45 million multi-role fighter I used to ride.

Sounds like more "that would be cool" than something they actually are going to be able to have fielded in this mythic fleet of rocket racers 20 months from now.

[mayday51]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

btw, does the prospect of rocket racing scare the hell out of anyone besides me?

...well "Burning Man" is just up there at Black Rock..........

[srpatterson]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

This decision will help an already overcrowded event. With a full field of Unlimiteds there were issues not only with space in the pits but also with the amount of time for practice and qualifying.

The decision to begin racing on Wednesday afternoon had already removed one qualifying session for the Unlimiteds, and there were a number of maydays that also cut into the time available during the sessions for practice and qualifying.

Steve

[King]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

I guess I just don't get it.

These "race planes" have 4 minutes of thrust. They say they will race around a course turning the engine on and off so that they glide for a while then start the engine to pass someone. Then they will have to pit to re-fuel and go back up. These races can last up to an hour.

I think I would rather see the jets at Reno.

Bring back the jets I say!!!

[speeddemon]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

Just my .02 of it all, but I think I'd rather see longer unlimited races. Certainly nothing approaching the old 1000 mile races, but something longer than the current 8 laps. Maybe a 20 lap final? Bring more strategy into the race. And up the number of planes in the final to, say, 10 or 12.

[MRussell]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

The "special visor" sounds cool...who is gonna pay for it? I don't even have that kind of technology in my $3 million supersonic jet trainer OR the $45 million multi-role fighter I used to ride.

Sounds like more "that would be cool" than something they actually are going to be able to have fielded in this mythic fleet of rocket racers 20 months from now.

While that type of "visor tech" is currently developing like wildfire (for automotive repair technicians, for example), I am dying with curiousity to learn how they are going to generate the "$1 million" in reward money for the winning team. Such a large grand prize seems totally out of place in air racing, let alone Reno.

[jarrodeu]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

Just my .02 of it all, but I think I'd rather see longer unlimited races. Certainly nothing approaching the old 1000 mile races, but something longer than the current 8 laps. Maybe a 20 lap final? Bring more strategy into the race. And up the number of planes in the final to, say, 10 or 12.

Instead of more that many laps I would like to see 10 laps around a 10 mile course making it 100 miles, a nice round number. 10 planes in the race would also be good and more exciting but then there would be a lot of lapping with the longer course and more planes.

Jarrod

[Apteryx]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

....but I think I'd rather see longer unlimited races.

Yeah, bring back the Connie

[Unregistered]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

All that the L-39's need is a bunch of T-6 racers on the stick. This is a great race class. I am in!
Tom Campau "Mystical Power" Race #21

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

All that the L-39's need is a bunch of T-6 racers on the stick. This is a great race class. I am in!
Tom Campau "Mystical Power" Race #21

HeyTom, anywhere you race, it's bound to be fun!

If it's got wings and an engine and you put you T-6 guys in it, it's a show!

[Victor Archer]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

[Blue Foam]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

Hmmm, lots of fodder here...

First, rockets are so over-hyped it's ridiculous. The EZ based concept will be slow and the altitude quoted pretty much takes the live spectator out of it.

OTOH, there are some interesting ideas here. One of the big ones is the fuel limit. Back when F1 (cars) didn't have computerized fuel consumption compensation, the races were incredibly exciting at the end because half of the top ten would RUN OUT OF GAS!!! Positions swapped, and no one knew who was going to win until the very end regardless of who was leading with 2 laps to go.

My ideal class would be something FAST and reasonably available (MiG-15's come to mind), with a fuel limit set to less than full throttle/full race. A fuel totalizer would have a set point that would trigger a smoke flare and a red light on the panel. Totally safe, since more fuel than the limit would be on board. This would provide several things that the RRL is promising in a format that we, the spectators, would actually like:

1. SPEED!
2. Close racing. Similar aircraft provide this.
3. Passing. Use your fuel now, or save it for later.
4. Suspense. The leader could be one pylon from the finish and the flare goes! Sorry!

Sure, it's a pipe dream; so is RRL's proposal. The problem with RRL is that they simply haven't gotten out to an air race and appreciated the SPEED and the G of Unlimiteds.

I am all for in cockpit video, but that's a broadcast or post production thing. The helmet technology? Wow, I'm with Randy. My wife is an optical coatings scientist who worked on the visor technology for the Agile Eye program and that thing is neither cheap nor simple. Sounds like some software engineers need to get out of their cubicles...

[MRussell]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

Back when F1 (cars) didn't have computerized fuel consumption compensation, the races were incredibly exciting at the end because half of the top ten would RUN OUT OF GAS!!! Positions swapped, and no one knew who was going to win until the very end regardless of who was leading with 2 laps to go.

Coincidentally, that's exactly what happened at the end of the IRL's Indy 500 this past year, modern technology and all.

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

These rockets only make me think one thing. Somebody has more money than sense. Whats next??? Moller Skycar races. Screw it bring back the tug races. Personally I would like to see what some of the race crews would come up with.

[AirDOGGe]

Re: This Just In - RARA Drops Jet Racing For 2006 - Unconfirmed!!

Originally posted by MRussell
I am dying with curiousity to learn how they are going to generate the "$1 million" in reward money for the winning team.

Maybe from the sale of racing aircraft and entry fees, plus the payments from cities bidding to stage the event? I just ran across another article at SPACEFLIGHT.COM with the following info:

"The RFP (request for proposal) to host "RRL Series" sanctioned race events seeks competitive bids for four of the six races slated for 2007. Competing cities, airport authorities and other venues can submit bids outlining financial, land, tax credit, and in-kind services commitments to the RRL."

and...

"The RFP for independently owned race teams requires a deposit of $100,000, held in escrow, on a Mark-1 X-Racer and submit a signed RRL Master Team Agreement.

Proposals must also contain the backgrounds of the team owners, information regarding pilots and must demonstrate the financial ability to cover the estimated upfront cost of $1.2M and the estimated annual operating cost of $500,000 to $1,000,000 per year. Teams are also asked to provide evidence of sponsorship sales and support capabilities.

The RRL expects to have 10 or more race teams for the 2007-2008 racing season."


The full text of the article can be found at: http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Ro...And_Teams.html

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