Some pictures from sunday

[Florian]

As expected there was a lot of action today on the ramp.
Thom Richards pushed PM harder than last year and also the Bear sounded angry in the air

Best regards,
Florian

[Bob]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

Any idea how fast PM went?

[Matt58]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

If none of you have heard yet, I LOVE THE GP-5! Also, does anyone have any insight as to why there is substantially more tail on Relentless?

Thanks!

[FlyKidChris]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

Also, does anyone have any insight as to why there is substantially more tail on Relentless?

Thanks!

IIRC, Relentless now has an 8 cylinder Lycoming up front, same as the NXT that Kevin test flew in Panama and that NXT has the same extended vertical tail (so maybe Kevin thought it was a good idea).

Here's a link to the Panamanian NXT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pGt1rLS450

There's a nice side view (tail included) at the beginning of the video.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

Any idea how fast PM went?

Having a lot of fun staying out here and we were able to talk with PM's crew chief Michael Towne tonight and I think he said something like 28 MPH faster than the airplane has ever flown...(forgive me Mike if I remembered wrong!) The airplane looks awesome, sounds even better, the new prop profiling has completely changed the way the airplane sounds. As usual, there are abundant sandbags hanging here and there in the pits as we head into race week... This truly is sure to be a SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY.... BE THERE event!

Have not had my cameras out of the bag this week, I've decided to approach this year's race week in a different manner.. I've spent more time talking to racers in the past two days than I've probably spent in the last three years!

So, no pictures yet, but... as much as I hate to admit it and as much fun as I have trying to achieve the perfection that Victor produces, I'm probably not nearly as good at taking pictures as I am putting my thoughts into words...I'm living my experience staying out at the field and doing multiple dark ramp prowls.. renewing old friendships.. (thanks Michael!) and just sitting back and watching the week's drama grow!

Special thanks to Valerie Miller, the Reno Air Race Association and everyone involved, who have made this year possible. Folks, RENO, Race week begins tomorrow, if you have even a passive interest in this sport, you're going to be negotiating some time off, or doing some intense weekend driving to get here.. If there ever was a RENO to not miss... surely, this is it.

[Randy Haskin]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

Having a lot of fun staying out here and we were able to talk with PM's crew chief Michael Towne tonight and I think he said something like 28 MPH faster than the airplane has ever flown..

That is awesome news. Perhaps we're seeing the first bits of that airplane's actual potential (and hopefully a lot safer to boot!).

[Race70]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

I think he said something like 28 MPH faster than the airplane has ever flown...

Ever flown on the course? Like as in 453 in 1988 plus 28 mph= 481 mph?!

[Tigercat24]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

Ever flown on the coarse? Like as in 453 in 1988 plus 28 mph= 481 mph?!

My question exactly. If we're talking the 400-ish speeds we saw last year and under Ron Buccarelli, then a 430-ish speed sounds good for a practice run. If you're talking 28 MPH faster than the 1988 453 MPH when the motor blew, then HOLY CRAP.

[Bob]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

Being the eternal optimist, y'all want taters and greens with yer crow?

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

I'll ask again today, Mike *may* have worded it "faster than we've ever gone" My bad for not getting the wording exactly.... or not being sure of the wording.. Airplane sure looked good on the course!

[xmh53wrench]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

Plenty of "color photography"..... I personally am liking the idea of Wayne's "color commentary".... Keep it up Wayne!!!! Thanks!!

[t-dub]

Re: Some pictures from sunday

IIRC, Relentless now has an 8 cylinder Lycoming up front, same as the NXT that Kevin test flew in Panama and that NXT has the same extended vertical tail (so maybe Kevin thought it was a good idea).

Here's a link to the Panamanian NXT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pGt1rLS450

There's a nice side view (tail included) at the beginning of the video.

Here's a pic of the new tail......