Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

[sierra fox]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

Yeah, why limit it to 'current' racers when the 'best sounding racers' aren't racing anymore?

That's like asking what your favorite song is...but only the song off of this week's Billboard 100.

Since we are waxing sentimental, give me RB-51 at Mojave 79!

[MustangFan]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

Current racers:

Strega
Strega
Strega

in that order. No better sound than this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up_Q1zo0W2Y

Of those no longer with us, my vote is MAII. Really unique sound with the contra-props and Lear wing.

[T. Adams]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

The greatest sound in the world is at sunrise, when Jr. is bringing the power up as he circles Strega overhead. It's so quiet at Stead you can hear a pin drop in the morning, that is unless the $@*() street sweeper is out!!!

[AirDOGGe]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

What's the best-sounding Unlimited racer?

It's that first unlimited racer coming around the nearest turn on my first day at the races each year. I don't care which aircraft, nor whether it be a heat race or just a qualifying event.




The instant I hear that ".........rrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" getting closer and closer for the first time, I get chills up my spine and start feeling jumpy like a young schoolboy seeing his very first airshow.

Only then do I truly feel like I have arrived at Stead for another season of fun and thrills.


C'mon, September!

[knot4u]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

3-blade Rare Bear at full power, the only thing that competes is top fuel drag racing.

[RAD2LTR]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

Here's a thought, what about sticking the Bears 3 blade on Sept Fury? I'm not sure if the gear is tall enough for the prop to clear, but it might be a really neat look. Slow nose case on Sept Fury with a really big prop on a bigger airframe. Heck it might be the hot setup and Mr Lewis already owns all the parts.

Will

[V1670]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

Pure and simple: STREGA!

[Tigercat24]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

[QUOTE=Big_Jim;102351]Yeah, why limit it to 'current' racers when the 'best sounding racers' aren't racing anymore?QUOTE]

Because the best sounding racer IS racing: September Fury. There is no racer on the planet that sounds as angry at full tilt

I would like to submit these as evidence:

232 Qualifying in 2006

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tOVLaMiU2Q

232 Night Run-up 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h57cjPAmtF8&feature=plcp

232 Qualifying 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUGJhF0LMGU

232 Qualifying 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiVJlfkAuSQ&feature=relmfu

[Big_Jim]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

[QUOTE=Tigercat24;102378]

Yeah, why limit it to 'current' racers when the 'best sounding racers' aren't racing anymore?QUOTE]

Because the best sounding racer IS racing: September Fury. There is no racer on the planet that sounds as angry at full tilt

So...just out of curiosity, how long have you been going to Reno? I ask because (aside from your bias for your favorite plane) have you had a chance to even hear some of the other Unlimiteds from the past that IMOH trump even your beloved 232?

I offer up the Rare Bear in her prime (90, 91) with the three blade as the ultimate, when it had very strong motors as the best.

When Whittington ran the Griffon Precious Metal during qualifying in 1988 at over 130 inches of manifold pressure (and neither Ron or Thom have come close to that kind of horsepower since...neither did the Red Baron or MAII), that set the 'groovy sound' mark pretty high.

And the sound of either White Lightnin or Double Trouble back in the late '70's or early '80's when Lefty and Gary were actually carrying some power while racing in the Silver heats gave a sound that was unlike anything else and still gives me chills to think about it.

But if you were never there to hear any of them, you wouldn't understand.

[Tigercat24]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

@Big_Jim, I was offering my opinion on what I thought sounded the best out of CURRENT racers...if we include blasts from the past, then there most definitely would be better noises than 232...with the 3-Blade Rare Bear probably being my fave.

Wasn't trying to make anyone angry...I'd love to be able to show up for MY FIRST NCAR THIS YEAR and not get run off because of my noise preferences that I could only gather on YouTube & Vimeo. I had plans for last year that I had to shelve due to lack of time & money, since I would be flying from Alabama...and I nearly had a heart attack when I watched the live stream of last year's tragedy. The loss of Mr. Leeward and spectators grieved me deeply, as well as the possibility that the Reno National Championship Air Races, the one big event that I've obsessed about attending ever since I was 10 but could only watch highlights of from afar, might be no more.

I do wish I could have been around for some of the older "great ones"...White Lightnin', Double Trouble, Samurai, Super Corsair, etc. ... even the ridiculuously awesome Super Snoopy, but since I am only in my 20's and not wealthy enough for multiple cross-country trips, I've had to wait until now.

Sorry for offending anyone with my audio preferences.

[Leo]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

IMHO the Bear still sounds sweet, Strega just plain mean.
I think my favorites are the Tigercats and PM though, just unique.

Favorite all-time sound was Lefty in the P-38, either racing or in his show. In the show there was no other engine sound and when he came downstairs out of a half Cuban, that sound was just pure aero sex.

Back in early eighties (82?) we got treated one evening to Dread and the Super Corsair playing around overhead for quite a while. It had rained most of the day and there were broken clouds everywhere. The combination of lighting, smells (nothing smells as good as the desert after a warm rain) and the sound bouncing off the clouds...wow.

Blue Thunder definately has a different sound. He flys around here a lot and the noise bouncing off the clouds is very nice.

Nothing gets you tingly though, like any of the aircraft on dawn patrol.

[Leo]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

If you make it this year let us know and we'll try to meet at some point.

You have to live it to understand it. Think you're obsessed now? You have not even begun...

[Tigercat24]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

If you make it this year let us know and we'll try to meet at some point.

You have to live it to understand it. Think you're obsessed now? You have not even begun...

@Leo, I booked my Reserved Season Tickets and Pit Passes for myself and fiance back in March after it opened up online (we'll be married for a month by the time the races get here).

Round trip airline flights and rental car are booked, and I'm very thankful that we have friends living in Tahoe that offered to put us up for the week.

So yes, we'll be there this year

[Big_Jim]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

@Big_Jim, I was offering my opinion on what I thought sounded the best out of CURRENT racers...if we include blasts from the past, then there most definitely would be better noises than 232...with the 3-Blade Rare Bear probably being my fave.

Wasn't trying to make anyone angry...I'd love to be able to show up for MY FIRST NCAR THIS YEAR and not get run off because of my noise preferences that I could only gather on YouTube & Vimeo. I had plans for last year that I had to shelve due to lack of time & money, since I would be flying from Alabama...and I nearly had a heart attack when I watched the live stream of last year's tragedy. The loss of Mr. Leeward and spectators grieved me deeply, as well as the possibility that the Reno National Championship Air Races, the one big event that I've obsessed about attending ever since I was 10 but could only watch highlights of from afar, might be no more.

I do wish I could have been around for some of the older "great ones"...White Lightnin', Double Trouble, Samurai, Super Corsair, etc. ... even the ridiculuously awesome Super Snoopy, but since I am only in my 20's and not wealthy enough for multiple cross-country trips, I've had to wait until now.

Sorry for offending anyone with my audio preferences.

No, dood...you're not offending anyone. But the way you phrased your statements, it would be like someone who only had listened to Hank Williams Jr. and Conway Twitty his entire life, and declaring them 'the worlds greatest' without ever having heard Bach, or the Beatles, or Jessica Simpson to compare them to. That's all.

And the audience that you're proclaiming your undying passion to...well...a lot of them were there for the Bear during the Glory Days. You'd change your tune if you heard it. Trust me.

No harm, no foul...and no offence. Just fact.

[flyingjibus]

Re: Best SOUNDING Unlimited Racer

Nothing sounds or feels like the Bear with the P-3 prop.

That sound has ruined my ability to think objectively about this question.