Radial Engine P-51 Mustang

[David E. Wells]

Re: Radial Engine P-51 Mustang

What'd they call it... "the Steve Bartholf Half Lap Speed Watch"? Some Say it was, as John says...

The '91 Race was THE FASTEST, no Maydays, no DNF's...after that are a lot of WHAT IF's...What If..The Bear had been healthy in '03? What If Lyle had been flyin' her...THEN, WHAT IF...David Price Hadn't Cut Pylon #6 in '97(?) and Tiger backed off...and there was NO Bear.
THE Challenge is still out there...Skip..Bear..Mike...Mustang...Kerch... Cornell..or Tiger...D.

[F-16 CREW CHIEF]

Re: Radial Engine P-51 Mustang

What'd they call it... "the Steve Bartholf Half Lap Speed Watch"? Some Say it was, as John says...

The '91 Race was THE FASTEST, no Maydays, no DNF's...after that are a lot of WHAT IF's...What If..The Bear had been healthy in '03? What If Lyle had been flyin' her...THEN, WHAT IF...David Price Hadn't Cut Pylon #6 in '97(?) and Tiger backed off...and there was NO Bear.
THE Challenge is still out there...Skip..Bear..Mike...Mustang...Kerch... Cornell..or Tiger...D.

actually 2 DNF's and 1 cut pylon for the 91 gold race. John maloney and del williams DNF. Howard pardue cut one pylon, I believe pylon 5 lap 2.

[Mluvara]

Re: Radial Engine P-51 Mustang

What was the fastest lap speed Tsunami did during the 1991 Gold race?

Jarrod

In some ways, it is conjecture as there is no official timing lap to lap. To my understanding, numerous parties unofficially clocked one lap at 500+.

I see your point and will accept your answer as well, But as for how fast the Bear is now compared to then, The biggest speed secret that Rare Bear had was Lyle. Lyle was good for better speed than the current guy any day of the week. His competitive drive and expert ability was in the stratosphere were only Bob Love, Darryl Greenameyer, Tiger Destefani, Skip Holm are in the same class. Out of that class the only one that is not military trained is Tiger. That says volumes about the talent of that man also to get into that crowd self trained.

I'm sure piloting does play into things very much so. Either way, I'm not sure the aircraft have gotten slower over the years, and from what I see in data and timing, I believe the 2003 speeds are the fastest ever recorded during a race.

Michael

[wyhdah]

Re: Radial Engine P-51 Mustang

I mentioned this in a thread a while back but I haven't hear any of the Unlimiteds make the kind of noise Dago made during that race (including Dago). The sound of the pitch the prop made and that motor has eluded me since. That plane was howling. Gives me chills just typing about it.

I know how a crack addict feels because I have been looking for a lap like that since.