Air Race report for Tuesday is about the last full day of qualifying, when a popular racing plane threw down the gauntlet in the Unlimited Class.

STEAD (Sept. 15.) – The weather improved today, much cooler, still windy but clear skies with a cloud layer high above the airport. And that set the stage for one of the most popular air racers ever to make its mark.

After having its carburetor changed Monday night Rare Bear, or “The Bear” as most people call it was rolled onto the ramp for a qualifying attempt.

Pilot Stewart Dawson climbed in and fired the Bear up then headed for the end of the runway. After taking off he orbited the Unlimited course for a few laps then called to be put on the clock.

After that he ripped off a lap at 480.644 mph besting the speed Steven Hinton set on Monday of 464.246. Now the teams will wait until their first race head-to-head on Friday afternoon.

With the improved weather the qualifying times at the top of the T-6 board were altered. On Monday Dennis Buehn was fastest at 232.296.

Taking advantage of the improved weather Nick Macy set a faster time of 238.524 while John Lomar posted a second best time of 234.749 mph.

Now the field will start working through their pairings to set their Gold race on Sunday.

Tomorrow morning is for last minute qualifying for those that might need it. But for now the IfI, Biplane, T-6, Unlimiteds and Sport fields are set. There was an attempt that came to naught of trying to best John Parker’s speed of 397.251 in the Sport Class but that will stand.

Over on the east side of the ramp those aircraft competing in the Heritage competition will be arriving as will the military aircraft that will be static display for public viewing.

Stewart Dawson climbs aboard the Bear under the watchful eye of John Penney.

Dawson taxies the Bear out for its qualifying run.

This is what 480.644 mph looks like.

Dawson brings the Bear back from its qualifying run.

Sawbones was also qualifying with pilot Curt Brown at the controls.

The revised qualifying list after Dawson’s run.

Nick Macy took advantage of Tuesday’s weather to fly Six Cat to fast time in the T-6 class.

Revised T-6 qualifying order.