From where I sat no one made a run at Mike Brown worth mentioning. Tiger ran by me in Dreadnaught, but only after the first lap. Speed over take was somewhere around 10 MPH from my view point so maybe 465 tops. Mike had 35 MPH on me at will, so no one was even close to challenge Mike. Next year is going to be a tough one for the Merlins again. Mike has another good 15 mph under the hood so hang on Merlins. It was great to see all my fellow race pilots and families. I look forward to the ramp talk as much as the racing. This year was no exception. Good people, fast planes and good weather. I didn't break. I can't tell you how awesome it is to run 3900 HP and not blow the motor. Flying Dreadnaught was like running a video game. Turn on three switches and push the handles up and hold on. A little voice over the radio would indicate position and time each lap and ask what I wanted for dinner after I landed. I haven't ever seen the race course with that much clarity before. I finally figured out why they call it the Buick. My Dad had an old Buick Electra 4 door with a 500 Cubic inch motor back in the 70's. It was as big as a house. The thing had a ride like a Rolls Royce and incredible power. Race 8 has the same feel. I think old Dreadnaught with an oil boiler and a small canopy would give anyone out there a run for their money. Its capable of 4000 HP all day and live year after year unbroken. Not many racers can make that claim. How about this as some interesting data. From 1985 until 1996 Dreadnaught suffered no failures of any kind. One cylinder change in 11 years of racing. I was told that even the cylinder change was not necessary and was done only as a precaution. No ignition coils removed ever. 2 Reno Gold victories 14 second place finishes aka 1st looser. When was the last time you witnessed the cowlings open during race week? No nightime thrashes just lawn chairs and Diet Pepsi's with an occassional cookie or two. Please don't tell the wife. ^Talk about bringing home the bacon!!!!! Get up Monday after the races throw some 100 OCT in the tank and rumble on home. Flush the adi system and drain the spray bar tank and your ready for the Air Show season. I think Brian said he did the first brake pad change in 23 years just to make sure I had brakes. He said they didn't need changing. Week before Reno we'll fill the tanks and change the plugs and rumble back to Reno. Just incredible nothing else to say. To all my friends it was great seeing you all this year. I hope to be back next year having as much fun. On another note my love and support goes out to my son Sargent Matthew T Jackson who is currently protecting our way of life here in America by putting his life on the line as a United States Marine. Simper Fi little Matt!!!!!! The family and I are real proud of you and all the other sons and daughters fighting to keep us free. I don't think any of us really know how lucky we are to live in this great country we call the USA. So lets try and remember what really counts. All the rest is bull**** and meaningless..
Matt J
Matt J
) Tiger was there with Strega, a support trailer, and a tent. Tiger changed banks at night, the 8 crew had margaritas. Gotta love it. Of course Tiger actually won, but that's practically a footnote to the story.
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