QUAL UPDATE!!!!

[Pylon1_Mark]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

Like I said in another post I am not pretending to know what it takes to manage and run a race team. I am just a fellow Aviator, and a huge Bear fan that doesnt understand the decisions made.

First of all, I would like to say that I understand your frustration at trying to understand what's been going on with the bear, and the apparent decisions made - but you really need to take a couple of steps back and try to understand a few things, as well as give the owner/crew the benefit of the doubt here.

I don't feel it's beyond reason that prior to the aircraft going to paint, nothing was apparently wrong with the aircraft and was thought mechanically sound and ready to go racing. With that in mind, Rod probably decided to paint the aircraft to give the fans a better looking bear, and for him to represent the aircraft's long-standing racing heritage in a fashion befitting of that. Then the old proverb comes true - what can go wrong will go wrong, and the team was already so far into the paint that it was impossible to turn back. Even given that - I can see that it's not a complete paint job - it's a nice start, but not quite what I'm sure Rod wanted to see this year. But they had to cut time away from the paint booth to deal with the problems that cropped up last minute.

They are doing the best they can with the hand that has been dealt them. No one can anticipate everything, and I have 100% confidence that the team made all the right decisions with what information they had available at the time. So in short - $h&t happens... it's how you deal with that adversity that defines you as a team, or as a man.

So my suggestion.... keep pulling hard for your team and lend them as much support as you can. A kind word goes a long way - and the power of positive thinking can yield some awe inspiring results.

Go BEAR!!!

BTW: I'm actually a Dago fan - but that doesn't mean that I don't wish the best for Bear - and it's not over until the fat lady sings - so keep the faith

[Inverted]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

Couldn't have said it better myself John. Been waiting a while (since my first Reno in '97) to see Tiger holding the winner's trophy again.
Here's hoping the Witch shows her tail to all on Sunday afternoon.

Go Strega!!!

Especially since it might be Tigers last race season.

[Inverted]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

I don't feel it's beyond reason that prior to the aircraft going to paint, nothing was apparently wrong with the aircraft and was thought mechanically sound and ready to go racing.

Thats exactly the problem. It wasn't ready. But like I said I am a Bear fan I want that gorgeous plane in the air.

[King]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

Of course, trying a new fangled ignition system at the last minute which everyone knows would require at least a week to iron out was probably not the best decision a person could make.

[ignomini]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

Lots of nice bashing out there folks, but did any of you ask the team what's up? Last time I checked, the folks who fix the plane don't paint it. Maybe the problem was an unexpected issue with a prop which appeared to be in fine working shape. Maybe somebody who has worked on the prop is in town and working on the problem. Maybe the Bear will fly an easy 480 mph lap tomorrow and throw a wet blanket on all the haters. Maybe.

I support all the hard working volunteers who wrench on the planes, and all the big spending owners who are willing to finance this one way program. To all those who turn money into noise for our benefit - and bragging rights, I salute you. Go everybody!!!

[SCEPTER]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

Who is wishing... I sure as hell am not the Bear is my fav plane of all time. Which makes me mad why her team hasn't statistically been more prepared.

Don't get your tail feathers all messed up. It's not over yet. But, they do need too fly by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest.

[Dago Dog]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

Or some "special" exception will be made so that she can fly if she doesn't make it up during quals. . . . I say she races through the classes so that all the nay sayers can see that she has that mystical power, that frostbitten charm, that winner's spirit, that will to persevere and win that only the one true champion. . . .the chosen one has.



Ooops, I musta been thinking of Obama!! DOH!!!!

Dago Rules!!!

[MMPerk]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

Back during PRS, the prop was pulled and sent away. It was gone through and sent back. There was no reason at all to suspect a problem with the prop. It was the last thing they expected to have a problem with. But in true Bear fashion, by this afternoon, a pickup with a crate was parked in front of the Bear Cave, and the prop man from Van Nuys was flown in and was getting ready to either fix the problem with the prop they have, or build them a new one.

As for the painting, it had to be finished before any engine runs and flight testing. Can you imagine trying to apply filler and paint on top of that oily skin. The biggest setback was how long it took to get the previous application of filler stripped off of the aircraft. But all of that aside, there's no finger pointing, there's just a team pulling together to make this happen.

Yes, things got kicked off later than the crew would have liked, but that wasn't their decision. And the ignition system...a calculated risk...the possible gain far outweighed the risk. These guys are not down...not by a long shot.

I still believe that they will be flying low, fast, and left on Sunday.

LP

[Sky Critter]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

I don't recall seeing any post on here or WAP regarding the current issues being worked by the Bear crew that could interpreted as "haters". No one is flaming the team, slinging mud or engaging in name calling and I find comments suggesting that posting anything other than pink bunnies, unicorns and rainbows rather offensive and absurd.

I would challenge any dedicated sports fan to keep quiet when they saw their favorite team do something questionable. I yell at my TV all the time... "what the #@*! were you thinking!". It doesn't matter if its a ball team, NASCAR or air racing. People passionate about their favorite sport should be allowed to voice their opinion, be it praise or disagreement. These boards are about the only forum most of us have in this amazing sport to express ourselves.

Do we have the right to tell a team how to run its operation? Absolutely NOT! Do we have the right to question tactics and strategy? Yes, we absolutely do. At least as long as it's not a personal attack.

I've been attending the races since '85. I'm a huge Bear fan. If there's any crew that can pull off an eleventh hour miracle, it's them... and I think they will.

As to painting... Dave Cornell stated in the "PRS Interview" on RareBear.com that they must paint the plane in order to protect the aero-filler from the oil. Cornell also stated that the Bear would fly in early August. Obviously, that didn't happen. I interpret that as they've been working unexpected issues for several weeks.

See ya on Thursday. GO TEAM RARE BEAR!!!!!!

[flyingjibus]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

I swear every year everyone forgets all the years that have come before.


How many times has the Bear been having issues with something on Wednesday? How many times have they had a trophy the following Sunday?

Was anyone there last year?

Give them time, she will fly.

[Bigger Al]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

I don't recall seeing any post on here or WAP regarding the current issues being worked by the Bear crew that could interpreted as "haters". No one is flaming the team, slinging mud or engaging in name calling and I find comments suggesting that posting anything other than pink bunnies, unicorns and rainbows rather offensive and absurd.

I would challenge any dedicated sports fan to keep quiet when they saw their favorite team do something questionable. I yell at my TV all the time... "what the #@*! were you thinking!". It doesn't matter if its a ball team, NASCAR or air racing. People passionate about their favorite sport should be allowed to voice their opinion, be it praise or disagreement. These boards are about the only forum most of us have in this amazing sport to express ourselves.

Do we have the right to tell a team how to run its operation? Absolutely NOT! Do we have the right to question tactics and strategy? Yes, we absolutely do. At least as long as it's not a personal attack.

I've been attending the races since '85. I'm a huge Bear fan. If there's any crew that can pull off an eleventh hour miracle, it's them... and I think they will.

As to painting... Dave Cornell stated in the "PRS Interview" on RareBear.com that they must paint the plane in order to protect the aero-filler from the oil. Cornell also stated that the Bear would fly in early August. Obviously, that didn't happen. I interpret that as they've been working unexpected issues for several weeks.

See ya on Thursday. GO TEAM RARE BEAR!!!!!!

Nicely put!!

Everyone here wants to see a good show on Sunday with all pilots and aircraft sucessfully recovered. That's a given. I do laugh sometimes, though at the "kid gloves" approach that's taken when it comes to criticism of any kind. All of the competitors and their respective teams are big boys and girls, and I'm certain that the smattering of trash talk that goes on here or anywhere else, for that matter is of very little concern to them.
Awright, that being said, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say:

GO TIGER!!

[RAD2LTR]

Re: QUAL UPDATE!!!!

From purely a long distance spectators standpoint, the Bear is fast. To go run a 466 qualifying speed on one lap, my guess is that they didn't push very hard, especially with all the issues they have had in the first place. They got it up, ran it only as hard as needed and got it back on the ground. If I had to guess, they are all over the plane as I type dealing with things that surfaced over the flight.

It should be a good show down come sunday.

Will