2000 Unlimiteds Air Race Page
Welcome to The
NEW
Adventures of The Air Race Addict
R2k, (Reno 2000)
Unlimited Air Racing at Reno 2000
Reno 2000 "Unforgettable" (Again!)
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Hi there again, all Air Race Addicts, Ramp Rats, and any other Aviation buffs. Here I am again with a new story and alot of new adventures to tell about. This year, I had the privledge of being bestowed on me by the Reno Air Race Association, my Press Credentials, allowing me into a whole new world, as far as my writing and photography is concerned. The access I was blessed with, provided a whole new perspective for me, from the Pylons, in the Pits, and on the ramp. I was introduced to the concept of the "Dawn Patrol" with "The Walking Air Race Encyclopedia" Brad Haskin, and learned alot under his wing, so to speak. I hope that I can convey a little behind the scenes info that will give the reader a little bit of insight into my new world and the World of Air Racing. There were thrills and spills, victory and defeat, intrigue, disappointments and surprises. The drama that unfolded before my eyes was magnificent! The Reno National Championship Air Races have it all! My trip this year began on Wednesday morning, the last day of Qualifying. My story will start there. So, get your favorite beverage, sit back, and enjoy the ride. I will do my best to guide you on a journey that shows why I love this Sport, (and have for thirty years or so), as well as instill in you, the reader, the same excitement for the Sport that I possess.
Sincerely, Bill Clark,
Air Race Addict
Wednesday September 13th
R2k began for me at 5AM, Wednesday morning, as my alarm just about kicked me in the head. I dragged my sleep deprived bones out of bed, (packing bags until midnight the night before as usual), and getting the coffee going. A quick final survey of my bags complete, I woke up my dear understanding wife, Martha, and got dressed. I went in and gave my daughters, (Air Race and Airshow Addicts themselves), a kiss goodbye, and tossed the bags in the car for the 20 minute drive to the Spokane Airport. Martha and I went over some last minute details as she drove me to the airport. My excitement was already to the point of implosion, but I was careful not to show my glee too much, (didn't want Martha to think I wasn't thinking about her and missing her, (and the fact that I would be gone to Air Race Mecca for the next six days). We said our goodbyes and I checked in for my uneventful flight to Reno, via Boise, Idaho. We left on-time at 0650, and landed in Reno on-time as well. With my plans going awry as far as a ride from the airport, and the fact that I wanted to get to Stead before the Blue Angels did their "Arrival" show, I got a taxi and $30 later, arrived at Stead at 10.
The MAIN plan, which had been so carefully established over the previous four years, had a minor change this year. Due to the fact that I had Press Credentials, I wanted to get to Reno a day earlier, to catch the Blue Angels and to catch the drama of the final day of Qualifying. To do this, I arranged for fellow Addict, Dave, (from across the street), to fly to Sacramento later in the day, to meet up with Steve, so Steve would have some help loading the "Mighty Pursuit" motorhome, while I was goofing around at Stead, getting acquainted with my new Credentials, and meeting up with Mark Kallio of Pylon 1 fame to get my Press 101 orientation. Mark, being a member of the Dago Red Team, also provided me a place in the pit area to give my bags a break from riding around on my shoulders;-) Later in the day, my friend, fellow Air Race Addict, (and co-photographer), and long time attendee to the Air Races, "FedEx" Bob Miller, would meet up with me and wander around the pits with me for awhile. By the time I saw him, he had already been to the normal Air Race Addict basecamp in the "Valley of Speed", and prepared the site with the WeedeaterŪ in preparation for the arrival of the "Mighty Pursuit" on Thursday.
Qualifying
Trials and Tribulation!
Hope and Disappointment
When I arrived, the weather was not exactly what I was expected. Overcast, and with only a very slight chill in the air, about 68°, but warming fairly quick. Perfect weather for last minute qualifying. There were already some disappointing facts that I was aware of and a big surprise that made me quite happy. Earlier in the week, my favorite Aircraft, the highly modified P-51 Mustang "Strega", Race #7, had burned a piston and had been all but officially declared done for the week. I was really looking forward to seeing a good race again between 6 Time Champion Bill "Tiger" Destefani in Strega, Skip Holm in the 82, 98, and 99 winning Mustang "Dago Red", Race #4, and Matt Jackson in the very prepared Mustang known as "Voodoo", Race #5. I was also anticipating the return after 20 years' hiatus, of Daryl Greenamyer, a 7 time Champion. Officially, in Daryl's words, "I was fired!" summed up the story there. He had been slated to drive Voodoo until shortly before the racers started moving towards Stead. Rare Bear, Race #77, was out, due to several reasons, (which I don't feel comfortable explaining here, "Intrigue"), the most obvious reason being the lack of an engine. This was unfortunate as Rare Bear is a 7 time Champion as well, and would have given the three favorite Mustangs a run for their money. But, it was not to be, as the Mighty Bearcat sat dejectedly in the corner of a hangar at Stead, occasionally getting a glimpse of the crowd as the doors were opened and closed.
Dreadnought
I already knew that Dreadnought, Race #8, former Reno Champion and perennial threat in the Gold race over the years, had qualified with the second fastest time, but had been withdrawn for mechanical reasons. Specifically, the "Mighty" Pratt and Whitney R-4360 powerplant, had been showing signs of bearing distress by depositing metal in the oil screens. The mighty warrior sat forlorn and for the most part, ignored the whole time I was there. It was a depressing sight seeing her slowly disassembled over the weekend for her unglorious ride home to Ione, CA, on the back of a truck. She'll be back. The Sanders family are wizards when it comes to the Sea Fury and the big round motors, and I am sure they will get her flying again before next year. The big fighter has always provided that element of suspense to the Gold Races on Sundays due to the fact that she is never far behind the leaders, and ready to take the Gold if they falter. The Sanders Brothers had another aircraft to race though. They had Argonaut, their trusty Sea Fury, Race #114. Although not normally a contender for the Gold, the aircraft has been reliable and always there at the end of the Bronze, and occasionally the Silver Race. So, the weekend wasn't a total waste of time for the team. Sanders brothers also were instrumental in the Mike Brown Racing team with September Pops and September Fury, Race #911 and #232 respectively. They were actually kept a little busy.
Czech Mate
Another disappointment awaited me after my arrival, to find out that the highly modified Yak 11, and Gold contender, Race #86, Czech Mate was out for the rest of the week. This racer is flown by Sherman Smoot, an experienced and talented pilot, making his much anticipated return to the Reno Air Racing scene after his near disaster in 1998. During the Gold Race on Saturday that year, he developed an engine fire that would not go out. He came to the decision that his chances would be better if he landed the flaming Yak, 
and proceeded to dive for runway 14, trailing a long plume of smoke. It was a pretty impressive approach, but he was carrying too much speed to get the aircraft to a stop. Following the instructions of the busy Pace Plane pilot, (who was at the same time going to aid Bob Hannah in his own Mayday), Sherman ground looped the Yak at the last second, (basically, that is jamming hard on one brake and spinning out), collapsing the gear and sustaining heavy damage to the aircraft in the process. Sherman was fine. Anyways, the Team repaired the aircraft and returned to Reno in 2000 with high expectations. Unfortunately, the engine developed a vibration, which was troubleshot to the #7 Cylinder. They replaced that cylinder and went to qualify, and were doing great, when then the engine developed a loss of power. Sherman returned to the field, and the aircraft was withdrawn for that metal in the oil screen gremlin. The aircraft sat in the pits under a blue canopy for the rest of the week, looking very much a racer in her shiney aluminum fuselage, small canopy, and dark blue wings and tail. The Team remained upbeat though, rock and surf music emanating across the pits from their pit stall most of the day. I know alot of people were disappointed, but like they say, "That's Racing". I am sure they will have the bugs worked out by next year. The aircraft looks really fast and I'm sure will be a contender again.
The Witch and the Tiger
Certainly, the last day of qualifying was not without Drama. There was plenty. Under the impression from earlier news reports that Strega was out due to a mechanical, (burned piston), I was surprised and excited to see the Team rolling Strega out to the ramp in anticipation of making a qualifying attempt. WHAT? That's right! They had replaced the affected bank of cylinders and were going to get qualified, after all. This made my day and I am sure many other people felt the same. Tiger climbed up on the wing, and while adjusting his parachute, received a last minute briefing from his crew. Tiger strapped in and turned on the boost pump.
Strega's engine turned over and after what seemed an eternity, barked to life. A sweeter sound I have never heard. The tension was thick out there on the ramp. After a short warmup, the beautiful red and white Racing machine taxied down to the end of runway 08 and away he went. In the meantime, several other aircraft were up and making attempts at better qualifying speeds or testing. Among them was the new incarnation of Race #87, bright yellow with flames on her side,
"Miss Merced" was pushing some air. I was looking forward to seeing this historic aircraft return to Reno. Hoot Gibson went up as well in Race #99, Riff Raff. So, the course was busy in the morning session of qualifying. Finally, we heard over the radio that Tiger and Strega were ready for the clock. I could tell as he passed the start tower that he wasn't pushing her too hard, the sound of the engine making that obvious. He appeared to be going at a clip that would get him in the field, but not fast enough to avoid having to fly on Thursday. With a wounded engine already, that would most likely put too much stress on the motor and cause a failure by Saturday, in my opinion. Tiger called and asked Race Control if they got the time, and after some silence, Race Control returned with the reply, "Race 7 has qualified". Tiger replied with "Thank you" and returned for a nice landing. The official speed was 379.377 mph, not quite up to the standard of prior performance by this team, (450+), but fast enough to get in the show. After Tiger returned, and Strega towed back to the hangar, Tiger was surrounded by the Discovery Channel crew and other media people. He appeared quite animated and
somewhat relieved, but not necessarily happy. There was to be more surprises as the day went on.
While the story with Strega continued to unfold, new qualifying times were posted by Jimmy Leeward in Race #9, "Cloud Dancer", Nelson Ezell in Race #21, the Sea Fury with no name, Hoot Gibson in Riff Raff finally broke the 400 barrier with a requalification speed of 407, and there were others in the afternoon session. Notably, Howard Pardue in Race #66, "Fury", and Art Vance in Race #15, "Furias". Art was able to better his speed remarkably, from a 386 to 397 in the monster 4360 powered racer, once owned and raced by the late Lloyd Hamilton. It was good to see the aircraft in it's new livery, and to see the Rogers Racing Team in action after the tragedy they sufferred last year. The paint job is very racey and with some tweeking here and there, the aircraft should be a contender in a year or two.
After the morning Qualifications session was done, the Blue Angels did a bunch of flying where they were setting up their approaches to "Show Center". It would have been hard to miss with the area marked with huge sheets of visqueen stretched in a line probably a quarter of a mile long. It seemed kind of weird, but I guess necessary. Then, they got together and performed their arrival show. It was good to see them again. They flew really close and did a few really nice flyby's. Of all the Military Formation Teams, the Blue Angels are my favorite. I don't want to dwell on them here though as there was more action awaiting in the Qualification arena.
As the afternoon qualification session began to near the end, I was again, at once, surprised and pleased to see Strega rolled out to the ramp for a requalifying attempt. Skip Holm in Race #4, "Dago Red", was going out in what was thought to be an attempt at an official 500 mph lap, and Tom Dwelle in Race #10, the ever improving "Critical Mass", was getting ready for a requalifying attempt as well. Now this aircraft, certainly the way it had been prepared over the last year, was thought to be somewhat of a dark horse, if not a true contender. It certainly appeared to be a true thouroughbred Racer, with it's big engine, clipped wings, custom tail and cockpit set back. Time would tell. I always get a kick out of how much smoke billows forth during an engine start on the Wright 3350. It does give the casual observer a look of concern, HAH! Well, Dwelle went out and ran a time that would improve the starting position, but it was disallowed due to Tom cutting the deadline. If you are wondering what the "Deadline" is, it is a line drawn almost all the way around outside of the course, that if passed, results in a disqualification. This is set up as a safety issue and is strictly monitored. You will hear more about this and other rules through the rest of the stories.
In regards to the a supposed attempt by Dago Red for the 500 mph lap, it was a ruse. Something to add to the 
already tense atmosphere. It didn't happen and Skip returned to the field, probably feeling pretty good by then. But, the real story was that Tiger and Strega returned to the skies for one last attempt with not much time left on the clock. This time, when he came by, there was a definite difference in the sound of the Merlin. It had the scream of a totally wound up Racing motor. His final qualifying time reflected the same thing. The final speed for Tiger was 429.858, still not what they were looking for, but fast enough to get them into the top 5, and a repreive from Racing on Thursday. WHEW! A truly awesome day, and one that I won't soon forget. I was glad to be there when the final drama played out. I had met up with Bob earlier and he was able to witness the scene as well. I guess I'll have to make it a point to show up for final Qualifying from now on. I hope Martha will agree. Maybe she'll even come back again. Who knows.
Epilogue
After all the aircraft had been put back in their pit stalls, Bob and I proceeded out to "Camp Air Race Addict" to watch any other activities that normally occur after the course closes for the day, have the obligatory Marguerita, and eat. We slept in the tent that night, and man, did it bring back memories or what? Those lumps of dirt and grass were just the way I remembered them, lumpy. It just makes you that much more appreciative of the "Mighty Pursuit" or Jamboree, or Coachman! Thanks for visiting today. I hope you enjoyed my report. There is alot more to tell you about as we go into the Racing Stories from Reno 2000. Check back soon and visit the Day 2 story. I have alot of nice pictures to show you and I will talk about the other classes of Racers as well.
