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The Reno
Air Races
by Ed
Anderson
 Photos
on next page
The
clarion call of September, "Fly Low, Fly
Fast, Turn Left", beckons all comers to
Reno Nevada for the National Championship
Air Races and Air Show - the fastest motor
sport in the world. This year, the Reno
Air Racing Association hosted the 41st
annual rendezvous, 16-19 September, at
Reno-Stead Airport. 2004 prize money of
$1,113,000. was shared in varied
proportions by six race classes: Formula
One, Biplane, Sport (kit-built),
T-6/SNJ/Harvard, first time jet
competition (Aero L-39s), and the
Unlimited. All races comprise multiple
aircraft with each class following a
marked pylon course, different as to
distance. F-1s and Biplanes have a ground
start whereas the others an air start from
a lead/pace plane.
Open to
any piston driven aircraft, the Unlimited
division is generally populated with stock
and modified warbirds. This year the 24
qualifiers were P-51 Mustangs, mixed
Hawker Furies, Russian Yaks, Bearcats, and
an F7F Tigercat.Although the preliminary
Heat races drew lots of attention, it was
'Gold Race Sunday' that provided the
fastest racing ever, in some classes.
Nonetheless, the final Unlimited race
delivered the best breathtaking action.
Nine big racers, hampered by light rain
and wind gusts, were released into the
"Chute" on a heading to the 8.4803 mile
race circuit.
 Leading
the pack was #4, "Dago Red", a P-51
Mustang, and reigning six time winner,
piloted by Skip Holm; #77 "Rare Bear", a
Bearcat, and former five time champion,
driven by John Penny; and recent newcomer
#232, "September Fury", a Hawker Sea Fury,
with Michael Brown on board. "Dreadnaught"
#8, a T-20 Hawker Sea Fury and "Czech
Mate" #86, a Yak 11, were in close pursuit
with a Fury and three Mustangs bringing up
the rear.
Into the
second lap the frontrunners were on their
own in a three-horse contest. Then, it
became a duel between old adversaries, #4
and #77, separated only by a second or
two. But on the second lap Skip Holm, for
some reason, cut Pylon 4 incurring a 16
second penalty, thus allowing John Penny
to capture a sixth championship for "Rare
Bear", at a course speed of 469.961 mph.
"September Fury missed second spot only by
a few seconds. In the T-6 class Al Goss
and "Warlock" #75, are finally champions,
after 24 years of hard trying, narrowly
beating out Mary Dilda flying #22, "Two of
Hearts".
Story and Photos By Ed Anderson
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