Miss America Reno 2023... in pictures

[Pylon1_Mark]

Saturday 9/16/23 (cont.)

Dad & son share a bonding moment on the wing of Miss America while having that moment captured by his wife (& me too, both obviously off frame) - 12:24 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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Pilot/Owner Brent Hisey (left) talks with engine builder Mike Barrow in the Miss America pits. Mike built the original Gorilla motor that powered Dan Martin's Ridge Runner III to speeds in excess of 480mph, and that motor was used as the core for Miss America's current race motor. Having been rebuilt by current Miss A engine builder Rick Shanholtzer, it's all Rick now - 12:24 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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Miss America pilot/owner Brent Hisey (right) talks with his old friend Sean Carroll - 12:31 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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Rick Revell helps Miss Rodeo Nevada 2023, Kaili Hill climb onto the wing of Miss America for an afternoon photoshoot - 12:34 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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When Miss Kaili Hill (Miss Rodeo Nevada 2023) requested to get some photos taken on Miss America, not much time passed before the photoshoot was already over. Funny how those things work - 12:34 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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Kaili Hill (Miss Rodeo Nevada 2023) - 12:34 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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While I didn't get the names of these three race fans, you can see they are very happy with their Merlin V-12 spark plugs which came out of their favorite racer, Miss America - 12:44 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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The Miss America crew gets their own photo op when Miss Rodeo Nevada 2023, Kaili Hill requests everyone to join-in. Pictured (left to right, starting on the back row) are Rick Revell, Eric Haft, Ed "D'Hammer", and Phillip Wight. Front row pictured are Jim Fentris, Davey Phillips, Kaili Hill & her brother, Brent Hisey, Walter Bell, & David Johnsen - 12:45 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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Kaili Hill (Miss Rodeo Nevada 2023) - 12:48 PM, Saturday 9/16/23.

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Well guys, not too much later Heat 3B was concluded with Brent & Miss America hopes of being in the Gold Race tomorrow gone. This was the time I decided that the last thing the crew wanted or needed was someone playing photo stalker and/or asking awkward questions at an awkward time... so I retired to the motel for the remainder of the day, hoping tomorrow would be a better one.

Sunday's report is next!

[Pylon1_Mark]

Miss America in pictures - Sunday 9/17/23

The crew arrives at our breakfast eatery, the Hometown Cafe with the overflow traveling in Randi Revell's Transit van. Although the crew was originally 8, it soon grew to 9 and pushed the limits of the Honda van... then today... well, I think the next picture says "overflow" the best - 6:40 AM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Now standing at 22, occupying the back & front two tables is the FULL team Miss America (along with a friend of the family or two) sit down for a good, hot breakfast - 6:42 AM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Crew members Eric Haft (left) and Shad Morris (right) finish-up work on the racing Merlin V-12 motor in Miss America - 10:54 AM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Crew member Eric Haft tightens the valve cover bolts after engine builder Rick Shanholtzer checked and adjusted the clearances on the Merlin fingers -10:58 AM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Making memories, "little Miss A" made a huge impact on the kids present. It was really great to see all the little ones having a great time in Johnny's miniature racer replica - 11:54 AM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Our official/unofficial crew member Ed "D'Hammer" helps this young aviator extract himself from the tight-fitting racer. Both Ed and all the Revells give up their own time at the races to help answer fan questions and serve as Miss A ambassadors, often going far above and beyond to assist the fans who visit the Miss America pits - 11:54 AM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Having completed all the maintenance work on the business-end of the racer, the Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, Eric Haft, & Patrick Cox with crewman Phillip Wight on the far-side of the aircraft (red shirt, jeans) - 12:34 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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The Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Shad Morris, Phillip Wight, Patrick Cox, Eric Haft, & Jay "the Colonel" Duechting - 12:34 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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The Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Patrick Cox, Phillip Wight, Shad Morris, Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, & Eric Haft - 12:38 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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[Pylon1_Mark]

Sunday 9/17/23 (cont.)

The Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Eric Haft, Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, & Patrick Cox (on wing) - 12:39 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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The Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Eric Haft, Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, & Patrick Cox (on wing) - 12:39 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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The Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Shad Morris, Phillip Wight, Patrick Cox, Eric Haft, & Jay "the Colonel" Duechting - 12:39 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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The Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Shad Morris, Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, Phillip Wight (@ top), Patrick Cox, & Eric Haft (far side of fuse) - 12:42 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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The Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, Eric Haft, Phillip Wight, & Patrick Cox - 12:43 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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The Miss America crew begin final assembly of the cowl panels. Pictured (left to right) are crew members Eric Haft, Patrick Cox, & Phillip Wight - 12:44 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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With the panel again removed, crew chief Greg Butler does one final check to insure all is as it should be. Pictured (left to right) are engine builder Rick Shanholtzer, Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, Greg Butler, & Eric Haft - 01:02 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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With everything passing the final inspection, the crew gets back to buttoning-up the racer. Pictured (left to right) are Eric Haft, Davey Phillips, Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, crew chief Greg Butler, & Patrick Cox - 01:05 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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With everything passing the final inspection, the crew gets back to buttoning-up the racer. Pictured (left to right) are Eric Haft, Davey Phillips, Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, crew chief Greg Butler, & Patrick Cox - 01:05 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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[Pylon1_Mark]

Sunday 9/17/23 (cont.)

The crew finishes buttoning-up the racer prior to Sunday's Silver Unlimited race. Pictured (left to right) are Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, Eric Haft, crew chief Greg Butler, Davey Phillips, & Patrick Cox - 01:06 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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With Miss America all prepped and ready to race, the crew prepares to tow the racer to the flightline as crew members Eric Haft (left - red shirt) and Davey Phillips (right) wait on the tow truck to get in place - 01:17 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Crew member Shad Morris (off frame) tows Miss America to the flightline as team member Patrick Cox (left) and crew chief Greg Butler (center) keep a close look-out for obstructions and the occasional fan who's caught-up in the moment - 01:19 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Crew member Shad Morris tows Miss America to the flightline as crew chief Greg Butler (right) keeps a close look-out for obstructions and the occasional fan who's caught-up in the moment - 01:19 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Crew member Shad Morris tows Miss America to the flightline as crew member Patrick Cox (left wingtip) and crew chief Greg Butler (far right) watch for obstructions - 01:20 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Crew member Davey Phillips helps another little boy get his turn at the controls of little Miss A as his father (right) stands-by - 02:57 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Crew member Davey Phillips stands-by watching as this little boy get his turn at the controls of little Miss A - 02:57 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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Crew member Davey Phillips stands-by waiting to assist as this little boy sits in little Miss A. The little aviator's mom (behind Davey) and dad (right) couldn't have been happier, and just like him, were both grinning from ear to ear as Davey has a special gift with kids - and for some reason they really light-up around him (a very special gift not all of us have) - 02:58 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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2023 Crew Photo
Pictured (left to right)
Top Row: Ed "D'Hammer", Phillip Wight
On Wing: Davey Phillips, Brent Hisey, Greg Butler, Rick Revell, Eric Haft, Randi Revell
On Ground: Scotty Butler, Josh Pitler, Walter Bell, Dave Johnsen, Shad Morris, Rick Shanholtzer, Jay "the Colonel" Duechting, Mickey (poster artist), Patrick Cox, Jim Fentris
03:45 PM, Sunday 9/17/23.

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This concludes "Miss America Reno 2023 in pictures" coverage. Just like all good things, this rare opportunity to follow the team over the last 20 months has come to an end. I'd like to thank Brent & the team for making this all possible and wish them all the best going forward.

[ZacYates]

Thank you so much for your coverage Mark, it has been a remarkable piece of photojournalism to follow. What a terrific record.

But it seems unfair not to include a shot of the man behind the camera (albeit with some random Kiwi next to him)...
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

The Miss America crew prepping the racer for today's event started early, and with a few new faces in the pits - 8:46 AM, Saturday 9/16/23

Including me!! Look for a Full Noise t-shirt just aft of the tail on the starboard side; that's yours truly chatting with the Brothers Revell. Speaking of whom...

Randi Revell (rear) is without doubt, the biggest Miss America fan alive and for the entire week of racing lives, eats, sleeps, and breaths Miss America

He is also a lovely guy, we made fast friends and he very kindly gave me some priceless keepsakes that I will forever treasure. He - along with everyone else - made me feel like I was part of the team.