In Flight USA Article Categories
In Flight USA Articles
Reno Air Racing Association Releases Top Three Finalist Locations For Future Home Of National Championship Air Races
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced on Feb. 29 the top three locations in the running to become the future home of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR).
The Sanders Legacy
The Pylon Place: Pylon Racing Seminar 2016
By Marilyn Dash
The International Formula 1 PRS 2016 Class (Anthony Taylor/warbirdfotos.com)In 1997, it was decided there should be a better way to help prepare pilots for the National Championship Air Races held each year in September, in Reno, Nev. Previously, hopeful race pilots may arrive a few days early in September and be taken through a series of air maneuvers the weekend before the races. As the races started to attract more classes and more racers, a better, more structured training became necessary.
This June marked the 19th Pylon Racing Seminar AKA Rookie School. And—for the fourth year in a row—a record number of participants were in attendance. Between the six race classes, 79 airplanes and 130 participants from all over the world made their way to Stead to practice, qualify, and have fun.
The Pylon Place: 2014 NCAR Review
Part 1
By Marilyn Dash
The 2014 National Championship Air Races (NCAR) will be remembered for several record-breaking moments. Let’s get started in Part 1 of our two-part review
International Formula 1
Steve Senegal in his Record Setting Racer, Endeavor (Anthony Taylor)IF1 already had a great year. They were able to add a race in Spain earlier this summer with a handful of our racers heading over there to race and monitor the event. It seems there will be even more races for them in 2015. That is great news for a truly competitive class with a reasonable financial entry point. (Hint–to all those wannabe racers out there!)
This year at NCAR, the racing was amazing as always. So many of these race planes are evenly matched, which creates close, competitive racing.
Steve Senegal in Endeavor set a course record with 267.289 mph, beating Jon Sharp’s old record of 263.188 set in 1999. Senegal also took the Gold on Sunday for his fifth win. Congrats to Steve and Team Endeavor!
The Pylon Place - November 2013
The 50th National Championship Air Races – Part 2
By Marilyn Dash
Last month, we reviewed the Unlimited/UWRC races. And I promised this month to cover the other five classes of competitors. Let’s get started.
IF1
Vito Wypraechtiger in Scarlett Screamer. (Rob Miller/Phredtography)First thing in the morning, when the skies are dark and the dew is still on the planes, the IF1 (and Biplane) air racers are already at the field, tugging their planes out to runway 08 and trying not to shiver from the cold. The crowds are light at this time, which is a pity because some of the best racing happens before 10 a.m.
This year was no different. The IF1 class participants were few in number, but deep in talent and heart.
After qualifying nearly 10-miles-per-hour faster than anyone else, Steve Senegal, the reigning IF1 Champion had a difficult start and just couldn’t get around Vito Wypraechtiger in long time racer, Scarlet Screamer. Vito is one of two competitors in the IF1 class from Europe; Vito from Switzerland and Bill Parodi from Spain.
The final race on Sunday was amazing. Everyone was on their feet cheering for their favorite or cheering for a great race if they had no favorite. It was eight laps of intense racing.
Reno National Championship Air Races introduces Blue Ribbon Review Panel; Announces Dates for 2012 Event
In a press conference to discuss the future of the National Championship Air Races, the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced on Jan. 4 the formation of a Blue Ribbon Review Panel to study the event. The panel will examine any possible changes or modifications that could be made to enhance the already high level of safety established by the FAA and existing RARA procedures.
RARA also announced that, despite many challenges in the near and long‐term future, they are planning to hold the 49th Annual National Championship Air Races at the Reno‐Stead Airfield, Sept. 12 – 16, 2012.