'Fly FASTEST!'- Remembering LYLE SHELTON
'Fly FASTEST!'- Remembering LYLE SHELTON
Reno '75 was my first air races & I was rooting for my favorite Unlimited- the totally-radical #5 Red Baron RB-51,-piloted by Mac McClain, to win all the marbles in Sunday's Gold Championship. But like many race fans, I really wished f/a big 3-way showdown between the RB Griffon mixmaster Mustang & the UNLTD champion super-duper Bearcats: Darryl Greenamyer's Race #1 & arch-rival Lyle Shelton's Race #77.
That hope was soon dashed, when prop governor problems prevented Greenamyer's takeoff. But race fans were treated to a very exciting Gold final nonetheless-won handily by Lyle Shelton @ a new race record speed of 429.916-av/mph, w/Mac & the RB in hot pursuit-finishing a close 2nd-place @ 427.313. On that day, I became an unabashed loyal fan of Lyle Shelton & his mighty monster Grumman Bearcat #77.
Me & my buddies made it a priority attend the next air racing event at Mojave '76 the following June, -still hoping to see that big UNLTD showdown. The gremlins once again fowled things up bigtime & we were there to witness Lyle's amazing deadstick belly-landing after #77's engine blew when an oil line came loose during his Saturday a.m. qualifying attempt. It was truly mind-boggling & really-impressive watching Shelton's cool prowess & professionalism (as a trained military pilot) in handling his dicy emergency landing situation that day.
The first time I met Lyle Shelton in-person was on Sat., April 16, 1977 at the Mojave Airport while attending USARA's 4th Annual Air Racing Clinic & Symposium, to train as an official pylon judge. (I think it was my friend- NAG Editor-Don Ryder, who introduced us). It was inside USARA's HQ office (in one of the old barracks buildings). Though he was up to his eyebrows w/pressing priorities at the time & surrounded by a mob of race people scurrying about, Lyle was warm & genuine, and we managed to work in some good conversation getting aquainted. I was just a young neophyte air race enthusiast back then & meeting Lyle Shelton- a real Unlimited Class champion race pilot, who was both polite & encouraging to me in a circle of big egos, was instrumental in cementing my personal lifelong interest & involvement in air racing (& started a good friendship to boot).
Well now, if you haven't already read Dell Rourk's excellent book- "RACING FOR THE GOLD-The Story of Lyle Shelton and The Rare Bear", it's a definate 'must-read' for any air race enthusiast interested in the history of the world's-fastest motorsport. Once you've finished reading it, you can't help coming away fully-convinced about the fact that probably nobody loved air racing (or was more obsessed w/it) more than Lyle Shelton. As a race pilot, without any doubt,-Shelton stands tall & immortal in the top ranks of the sport's greatest champions & most-ferocious & fearless competitors, and remains title holder of 'World's-Fastest Propeller-Driven/Piston-engined Aircraft 3-KM Speed Record'.
So, I'd like to put up this humble tribute thread to honor the memory of Lyle Shelton & his great air racing accomplishments flying Race #77, known to all as- "The Rare Bear". Nothing fancy- just some random archive photos w/captions here & there (again- "Read The Book!") & while at the same time- inviting anyone else to add onto it w/any personal notes or photos they might care to share relating to Lyle Shelton & his career w/The Bear. (Note: This thread's intended to complement the previous threads posted by Lyle's son-John Slack/BellCobraIV regarding the sad news of Lyle Shelton's passing)
For starters,-here's a Reno '80 NCAR photo gallery of pics covering Lyle Shelton's return to air racing his #77 after a 4-year absence following the near-disastrous Mojave '76 belly-in. This was the year of N777L's re-christening as "Rare Bear" (a title coined by air racing historian/author-John Tegler). Some of you oldtimers will recognize a few veteran #77 crew in these pics (believe that's a v. young Dave Cornell manning the APU for one).
Reno '80 wasn't a banner year for Lyle's team, w/gremlins doggin' The Bear all the way, but Lyle managed to qualify Race #77 in 4th-place @ 402.753-mph. Shelton next had to abort his start for Friday's UNL Gold Heat #1 (9/12), due to hydraulic leak in the cockpit. Saturday's UNL Gold Heat #2 (9/13) was chocked-full of even more drama f/Shelton & his over-taxed team. Rare Bear had gear retract problems after takeoff f/the joinup & Shelton's radio was inop. I was on press photo duty at Outer 2 Pylon when the race started. After all the Unlimiteds had roared-by on their pace lap, everyone was looking skyward,-wondering where the heck Lyle & Rare Bear were. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, they came streaking-by like the proverbial- 'scalded cat', & proceeded to eat up the field of racers ahead of them like they was all standin' still! By Lap 5 Shelton was closing on the two leading Mustangs of Mac McClain (#69 Jeannie) & Don Whittington (#09 Precious Metal), when #77's blower system let go, forcing Shelton to execute a mayday out of the heat & the rest of Reno '80 competition.
Lyle Shelton was undaunted in his quest to win Gold & Glory on the air racing circuit & during his years of 'ups & downs' following his Reno '80 return, proved he was indeed-'The Man' who could- 'Fly FASTEST!'
DBD
Reno '75 was my first air races & I was rooting for my favorite Unlimited- the totally-radical #5 Red Baron RB-51,-piloted by Mac McClain, to win all the marbles in Sunday's Gold Championship. But like many race fans, I really wished f/a big 3-way showdown between the RB Griffon mixmaster Mustang & the UNLTD champion super-duper Bearcats: Darryl Greenamyer's Race #1 & arch-rival Lyle Shelton's Race #77.
That hope was soon dashed, when prop governor problems prevented Greenamyer's takeoff. But race fans were treated to a very exciting Gold final nonetheless-won handily by Lyle Shelton @ a new race record speed of 429.916-av/mph, w/Mac & the RB in hot pursuit-finishing a close 2nd-place @ 427.313. On that day, I became an unabashed loyal fan of Lyle Shelton & his mighty monster Grumman Bearcat #77.
Me & my buddies made it a priority attend the next air racing event at Mojave '76 the following June, -still hoping to see that big UNLTD showdown. The gremlins once again fowled things up bigtime & we were there to witness Lyle's amazing deadstick belly-landing after #77's engine blew when an oil line came loose during his Saturday a.m. qualifying attempt. It was truly mind-boggling & really-impressive watching Shelton's cool prowess & professionalism (as a trained military pilot) in handling his dicy emergency landing situation that day.
The first time I met Lyle Shelton in-person was on Sat., April 16, 1977 at the Mojave Airport while attending USARA's 4th Annual Air Racing Clinic & Symposium, to train as an official pylon judge. (I think it was my friend- NAG Editor-Don Ryder, who introduced us). It was inside USARA's HQ office (in one of the old barracks buildings). Though he was up to his eyebrows w/pressing priorities at the time & surrounded by a mob of race people scurrying about, Lyle was warm & genuine, and we managed to work in some good conversation getting aquainted. I was just a young neophyte air race enthusiast back then & meeting Lyle Shelton- a real Unlimited Class champion race pilot, who was both polite & encouraging to me in a circle of big egos, was instrumental in cementing my personal lifelong interest & involvement in air racing (& started a good friendship to boot).
Well now, if you haven't already read Dell Rourk's excellent book- "RACING FOR THE GOLD-The Story of Lyle Shelton and The Rare Bear", it's a definate 'must-read' for any air race enthusiast interested in the history of the world's-fastest motorsport. Once you've finished reading it, you can't help coming away fully-convinced about the fact that probably nobody loved air racing (or was more obsessed w/it) more than Lyle Shelton. As a race pilot, without any doubt,-Shelton stands tall & immortal in the top ranks of the sport's greatest champions & most-ferocious & fearless competitors, and remains title holder of 'World's-Fastest Propeller-Driven/Piston-engined Aircraft 3-KM Speed Record'.
So, I'd like to put up this humble tribute thread to honor the memory of Lyle Shelton & his great air racing accomplishments flying Race #77, known to all as- "The Rare Bear". Nothing fancy- just some random archive photos w/captions here & there (again- "Read The Book!") & while at the same time- inviting anyone else to add onto it w/any personal notes or photos they might care to share relating to Lyle Shelton & his career w/The Bear. (Note: This thread's intended to complement the previous threads posted by Lyle's son-John Slack/BellCobraIV regarding the sad news of Lyle Shelton's passing)
For starters,-here's a Reno '80 NCAR photo gallery of pics covering Lyle Shelton's return to air racing his #77 after a 4-year absence following the near-disastrous Mojave '76 belly-in. This was the year of N777L's re-christening as "Rare Bear" (a title coined by air racing historian/author-John Tegler). Some of you oldtimers will recognize a few veteran #77 crew in these pics (believe that's a v. young Dave Cornell manning the APU for one).
Reno '80 wasn't a banner year for Lyle's team, w/gremlins doggin' The Bear all the way, but Lyle managed to qualify Race #77 in 4th-place @ 402.753-mph. Shelton next had to abort his start for Friday's UNL Gold Heat #1 (9/12), due to hydraulic leak in the cockpit. Saturday's UNL Gold Heat #2 (9/13) was chocked-full of even more drama f/Shelton & his over-taxed team. Rare Bear had gear retract problems after takeoff f/the joinup & Shelton's radio was inop. I was on press photo duty at Outer 2 Pylon when the race started. After all the Unlimiteds had roared-by on their pace lap, everyone was looking skyward,-wondering where the heck Lyle & Rare Bear were. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, they came streaking-by like the proverbial- 'scalded cat', & proceeded to eat up the field of racers ahead of them like they was all standin' still! By Lap 5 Shelton was closing on the two leading Mustangs of Mac McClain (#69 Jeannie) & Don Whittington (#09 Precious Metal), when #77's blower system let go, forcing Shelton to execute a mayday out of the heat & the rest of Reno '80 competition.
Lyle Shelton was undaunted in his quest to win Gold & Glory on the air racing circuit & during his years of 'ups & downs' following his Reno '80 return, proved he was indeed-'The Man' who could- 'Fly FASTEST!'
DBD
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