The World’s Fastest Motor Sport

I want to start off with an update from the World Aerobatic Championship. Right now we are 3rd in the overall team rankings behind France and Russia. Rob Holland and Goody Thomas are currently occupying the 7th and 8th spots in the individual rankings. While we’re not top dogs, I think everyone is having a great time and our team is doing really well. It is worth noting, that the Russians are using the Su-26M3 with the new 430-hp M9F radial engine. In the past they have dominated with this combination.

Now, so we’re all on equal footing, my title alludes to the National Championship Air Races in Reno, NV. The Reno Air Races are next week, so if you are out that way or if you can get there, you should stop in at Reno Stead Airport (KRTS) where the event will run from September 12th through 18th. There is an air show featuring the USAF Thunderbirds, but you should be prepared to be blown away by the race planes.

The air races have a number of classes which range from the affordable Formula One Class, the aircraft all sport the venerable 100 horse Continental O-200 engine just like the Cessna 150, to the all-out-balls-to-the-wall unlimited class. The unlimited class is home to all the spectacular P-51s and other highly modified WWII aircraft, but of all the aircraft in any class, I’ve got to say the Nemesis NXT in the Sport Class takes the show. In fact, if you are a fan of the type, Kevin Eldredge plans to auction off his NXT ‘Relentless’ during this years show. You can check Martt Clupper’s Airpigz or the Relentless Air Racing site for the auction URL when it is posted. Word is that minimum bid is $100,000, but that is cheap for what you get.

While I absolutely love the Nemisis NXT, it’s a little outside my budget. That’s why I get a real kick out of the Formula One Class. It’s probably the most restricted class as far as aircraft go. The rules are very specific regarding wing area, empty weight, fixed gear, and they have to be powered by a Continental 0-200 swinging a fixed pitch prop. The benefit here is that there are several aircraft designs that easily meet the requirements and are very economical to construct. In fact, I’ve seen some decent Cassutt Racer projects floating around that could have you racing for about $10,000.

Now that I’ve sold you, the Reno Air Races are next week. If you can get there, you should go. I wish I could, but I burned my travel budget on Oshkosh, maybe one of these years I’ll have a plane so I can fly myself out for the races.