Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

[BellCobraIV]

Even though the 528.329 MPH, 3 KM World Speed record will have it's 20th anniversary tomorrow, 1999 Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee Lyle Shelton and The Rare Bear crew of 1989 set the World Record twenty years ago today. Lyle would be the first to point out that he could not have set the record if were not for the hard working crew that supported his effort and the financial support of Jack DeBoer. The record was a high water point in his racing achievements. Lyle also still holds the time to climb record that he set with Rare Bear 37 years ago. Every crew member prior to the 1989 record can feel they made a contribution to refining the airplane to get it to it's goal that day.

The first record was set twenty years ago with the goal of getting a number up on the board, I think it was around 512 plus or minus, but with the threat of John Sandberg and Tsunami going to Wendover in September looming on the horizon to attempt to break the record Lyle and team set, it had been decided that after getting a number down on paper that would at least gain the team the record, an all out run would be done the next day to make it harder for Tsunami to beat. The 528.329 number served it's purpose as after a gear failure the Tsunami team had to repair the airplane and move on to Reno.

Good job!

[Dave65882]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

What can ya say, got to love Lyle and the Bear, all the hard work he put into the plane will never be forgotten.

[flyingjibus]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

I love the Reno air races and all who have/do/will participate.

I love everything about it.

I have grown up with the races and of my 32 years on this planet I have attended 25 races, and will continue to attend untill I am too old to see and hear the planes.

That being said there is a special place in my heart for the Rare Bear and Lyle Shelton. I have watched them all these years through the best and worst of it and am proud to say that I have always been a Bear fan.

I am confident that when the test of time is passed Lyle will also be ahead of Fritz Wendel for length of record held as well.

Well Done Lyle and Team!

GO BEAR

[taglialavore]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

Thank you John to remind us these Lyle´s great moments.
I think nobody gave so much to air racing than Lyle Shelton, and for so many years. He will always be the best.

[Hauler Driver]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

Thanks Lyle for the things you and the crew did. And Thanks to The Bear for all you have supplied.

Sure miss Lyle and hearing his wisdom and stories. I hope to see you again and shake your hand to thank you in person. You are the best!

Don

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

At 77 I've seen a lot & even tho I'm a P51 person you have always been one of the best in the business thru thick & thin. I salute you & your team for not only what you have done for air racing but aviation in general. I think you & your people should be honored at Reno this year. Thanks again Lyle.

[BUD_XXX]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

I can remember many a lap at the VOS watching Lyle cleaning turn a pylon like nobody's business... while the competition made longer arcing turns, the Bear just turned smartly towards the next pylon....Sweeeet!
Although there were definatley a few years he was out ...at and waaaaay past the fence.

To Me, Lyle is a ... GOD, who created a legend. Whose legacy at Reno is truly awesome by any measure.

I haven't seen him out there for quite a while...I hope he's doing fine.

[MUSNTCHIT]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

Thank you John Slack for bringing attention to the details of this part of Air Racing and Air Racing History that you were so close to...such an important part of... the sharing of family times and such, can't get any closer or better than that... Your stories and tales of Lyle and his passion for doing his thing with that airplane will grow and grow...a Legend... rb

[kiwiracefan]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

I'll sound like a broken record here and say thank you mr slack for reminding us and filling those of us who are learning the history of Reno about one of the great accomplishments of one of the greatest owner/pilots.

[Propellerhead]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

Congratulations to you and your Dad, John!

Here's a screen grab from the documentary after you guys got the record. Smiles all around.

[BellCobraIV]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

Congratulations to you and your Dad, John!

Here's a screen grab from the documentary after you guys got the record. Smiles all around.

LOL, A little inside story that grey kneeboard is the only grey kneeboard Lyle ever used, and that was because the black U.S. Military ones that he had from his Navy days were temporarily misplaced. The one that he used for the 1989 and 1990 years was the grey one that was an official North American Aviation issued (and identified as such) one that had belonged to Zeuschel. Underneath all Lyle's Paperwork was a note to Skip regarding a test flight in either Stilleto or the Sabre. I still have the Knee board and the note, in fact I just looked at it after seeing the picture. I'd quote the note, but I'm sure Skip would rather I did not. During my days with the Dago Red/Mystery Aire connection I was always looking for the right moment to slip the note to Kerch and have it stuck on Skip's kneeboard, I'm sure he would have flipped to have a note from Zeuschel after all that time. Those were good days and Lyle's black kneeboards showed back up along with a missing helmet shortly after the 1990 Reno races. There were a lot of good people that made the magic back then.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

John,

I miss your calls....

[WASP-kid]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

Great stuff John. Thanks for helping to educate us relative newcomers. Congrats to Lyle et al!

[Fence Sence]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

I was just reading about these records in Dell Rourk's Racing for the Gold. Simply amazing what Lyle and the Bear went through together for so many years. Lyle is a true champion of air racing.

John- I may be 30 years late but, nice job getting the Bear back from Mohave to Van Nuys. Sounded like quite the ordeal.

[BellCobraIV]

Re: Congratulations Lyle, The only guys that have had it longer are the Nazis

I was just reading about these records in Dell Rourk's Racing for the Gold. Simply amazing what Lyle and the Bear went through together for so many years. Lyle is a true champion of air racing.

John- I may be 30 years late but, nice job getting the Bear back from Mohave to Van Nuys. Sounded like quite the ordeal.

Thanks, for the nice job. Lyle told me the day after graduating High School that my next trick was to get the airplane from Mojave to Van Nuys. I asked him if he had any suggestions and he said "Yeah, don't screw it up!" So he gave me a gas and one of his El Caminos to use and my best friend and I put about five thousand miles on the car figuring out the best route from Mojave to Van Nuys with an airplane that was about twenty five feet wide with the wings folded. Surprisingly Los Angeles County only wanted about 300 for the oversized load permit, and they would have three inspectors meet us at predetermined points to escort us as we made an over night run. However Kern County wanted 10,000 dollars for the permit, and we would have to hire a front and rear pilot car to escort us to the Los Angeles County line.

Yeah that wasn't happening. So we drove around like I said Talked with Wally McDonnell who had the hangar at Mojave the Bearcat was in at the time. and he gave us three different routes to check out one of which he was absolutely positively sure that Someone had already used to sneak an F9F Panther into Kern County on. Well we got the Los Angeles County permits in place. Took the bed off of a 1960 Chevrolet half ton pick up truck. Made a special mount for a tail wheel to be enclosed and mounted to the frame. A little tip of the hat to the late Randy Scoville for the idea, and to the Late Roger Davies for the help in fabricating the mess. Scoville asked what I was going to do if some drunk tore the wing off in opposing traffic, so I rented a 24 foot diesel box truck to lead, with the instruction to my friend driving it to run anybody off the road that looked like they may get too close. ("Yeah, don't screw it up!")

Leaving Mojave airport we damaged a flap on the fence, ("Yeah, don't screw it up!") but that was the only mishap that occurred we left when the the two main CHP cars hit Reno's cafe for dinner. Thanks again to Wally for the heads up, and crossed the highway for the dirt route we would take out of Kern County, coming out in Rosamond just down the road from Willow Springs Raceway. And directly in front of a Kern County Sherriff car. I knew exactly where the county line was and made a beeline for it. The box truck pulled over and covered the rear along with one of the El Caminos.

We made it a mile into Los Angeles County before we were at the first assigned spot. The Los Angeles inspector did not show, in fact after following our pre-approved route to the second oint the second guy didn't show either. So on to the third point, just after daylight sitting at the top end of Balboa Blvd. with a Bearcat bolted to a pick-up truck. The third inspector shows, looks at our deal and says "Good thing the other guys didn't show your lights aren't good enough for the drive at night!" I ask "Are you going to escort us to the airport?", "Nah you guys have made it this far, see ya'!"


We got the airplane inside the fence at Van Nuys airport and parked it outside the old Great Atlantic and Pacific Aeroplane Company hangar. This is where Lyle and the PRPA and Air Race Management had their offices. And we returned the 24 foot truck, left the pick-up bolted to the plane for a week or two, went home.

It was interesting summer, Lyle came in from a trip stopped by his office at the airport and surprise his plane was there two weeks before he thought it would be. With all the talk going around about the move we were afraid someone would tip off Kern County, so we just got ready and did it.