It was a wild week at this year’s Air Races full of unusual things as well as some great racing.

STEAD (Sept. 18) – National Championship Air Races 2016 was a very different event than in previous years. While much was made about how thin Unlimited field was the other classes stepped up and one of them had the closest finish in years.

Despite their numbers the Unlimiteds are still the stars of the show. And this year, one of the young lions notched his seventh championship.

“You know obviously competition wise there wasn’t a lot of hard hitters out this year, but never the less it’s still a tremendous undertaking to make this piece of equipment do what it just did,” Steven Hinton said after winning his seventh Unlimited Gold race. “Our crew did a phenomenal job in a year like that not having Strega or Rare Bear out there but everybody knew what the goal was and what the work was going to get there. So we all kept our heads down, picked each other up when we needed it and everyone preformed flawlessly so the win speaks for itself.”

Keeping with the theme of things being different this year even the start wasn’t like a normal year. Due to a problem Steven’s father Steve Hinton wasn’t able to lead everyone off in the pace jet.

As a result Steven, who was on the pole in Voodoo became the pace plane.

Asked about this he said, “It was good, I was bummed that he got back in there. I thought this gave me an opportunity to check two boxes at one time. It was fun, definitely need improvement on that and got a couple of things I can do better next time. But it was an enjoyable experience there for five or seven minutes.”

Due to their speed those Unlimiteds in the gold race form up line abreast off the right wing of a pace jet that leads them around a near by mountain and aims the group down the chute where they are released.

For about two or three seconds Brian Sanders in Dreadnaught led the charge. Then Hinton in Voodoo and James Consalvi in Czech Mate zoomed passed and left everyone in their wake although Dreadnaught wasn’t that far behind them.

On the first pass by Home Pylon, Hinton’s lead was about five seconds. On the second time the announcers said his speed was just over 490 mph but began to drop as the gap between Voodoo and Czech Mate increased.

Both are very different but highly modified aircraft. Voodoo is a P-51 while Czech Mate is a modified Yak 11 that has the largest engine they can put on a plane that size.

During all the laps Hinton, even while slowing down, increased his gap over second place. At the checkered flag Voodoo had an 11 second, and almost a 10-mile an hour advantage over Czech Mate.

One thing racers have to contend with is the usual afternoon wind, something that’s regular this time of the year.

“It wasn’t too bad,” Hinton said. “When you have a steady wind like that you know you have to make some turns a bit later as it pushes you into the pylons and like wise on the backside you have to turn in earlier as it will push you away from the pylons. It’s just the kind of stuff you learn over the years racing up here.”

Then he gave special thanks to Voodoo’s owner Bob Button his and wife Christine for their support of the event and aircraft. He also thanked the engine builder for giving him the piece that powered Voodoo to another championship.

“The bottom line is all the fans,” he said. “Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be a growing sport at the moment but we have a good fan base and as long as they continue to support us, we’ll be back here.”

He’s also looking forward to the three one-hour shows from this Air Race that will be shown on NBC Sports sometime in March.

The National Championship Air Races also have an air show part of the event. This time the Blue Angles were on hand and on Sunday they did their show then departed prior to the Unlimited Gold Race.

The fastest racers this time were the Jets. Like the Unlimiteds they too wheel around Peavine Mountain and come roaring down the chute for the start.

Unlike other classes, they have a speed limit of just over 500 mph. So not only does a pilot have to be aware of who is around them, making sure not to cut a pylon but they also need to be aware of their air speed.

On the release both Sean Cushing and Zachary McNeill had a good start but Rick Vandam, in American Spirit, was able to get the inside line going around pylon 4, where they actually enter the course.

After that there were a few laps where Cushing wasn’t too far behind Vandam as they tore around the 8.1025 mile long course. Finally Vandam opened up a gap over Cushing and went on to claim the victory.

“The plane flew really well and glad we raced early in the morning,” Vandam said. “Coming up to Pylon 4 race 9 (Cushing) had about a three quarters of a ship lead but could not close the door. I got inside and knew he was dropping back.

“Had a good spotter crew to advise me and it was as smooth as it could be. Felt comfortable so concentrated on a good consistent line and the plane flew fantastic.”

Then he thanked the Noel Race Team, owner Ed Noel for his support as well as Minh Jet that maintains the aircraft in Hollister, California.

Closest race of the day was the T-6 Gold event. This class does use a air start but they coming from the west and align with the main runway.

Once the pace pilot is satisfied with their line abreast formation he lets them go. And there is this diving entrance onto their 4.9352 mile course.

On point was Nick Macy, who had won all his heat races during the week. Giving chase was Chris Rushing and defending champion Dennis Buehn.

Lap after lap Rushing stayed close but just couldn’t get by Macy, who had the inside line.

In air racing passes are made from the outside so the pilot starting on pole has an advantage as the inside line is a bit shorter.

Up front Buehn at times would close on Rushing, who then would close on Macy. After taking the white flag Macy was still on point.

As the leaders rounded the last two pylons Rushing had enough speed to finally get around Macy and score the victory. His elapsed time was 7:41.088 while Macy’s was 7:41.266 and their average speed was less than a mile an hour apart.

After climbing out of his racer Rushing said, “Nick Macy is the best pilot I’ve ever flown off of and I didn’t know until the last 10 feet. I was just able to convert a little bit of altitude for some speed and it was just a great honor to fly off of his wing. This is my first win and it’s very special.”

Then he thanked the Condor Squadron and founder Richard Sykes, who built the airplane and won in 1983 with it.

The Sport Gold had its share of excitement. First off Peter Balmer and Gary Mead didn’t even start the race.

Up front, like every other heat race, Jeff LaVelle took off with John Parker in his Thunder Mustang in hot pursuit. Lap after lap they tore around the 8.0782 mile long course for the Sport Gold racers.

Later in the race Lynn Farnsworth maydayed out of the race and was able to make a safe landing while trailing some smoke.

In the end LaVelle won the race but after taking the checkered flag Parker had a mayday. Seems a rod in his motor may have gone thought the side.

For Parker it was a crazy landing as he actually came down in the brush at a 90-degree angle to runway 14. Many times that’s the runway pilots with trouble land as it’s inside the course and they don’t conflict with a race that might be going on.

After landing in the brush Parker’s plane rode the dirt then went onto the pavement of the runway where it stopped. Fortunately he was safe although his plane might need some repairs and probably a new motor.

After the racing was over LaVelle said, “The race seemed like it went fairly smooth, we had a couple of maydays, everyone got down safe and that’s what really matters. It was a little bumpy out there, a little hot but that’s Reno racing in the high desert so that’s to be expected but overall I think it went well.”

Then he thanked Champion Spark Plugs and Magnetos, Kenny at Lycon that gives him great motors, Hartzell for fastest props.

((Reporter’s note.)) Apparently the information I received about the Biplane incident was in error so I’ve struck it from this report. Sorry for the misinformation and thanks to the person that pointed it out.))

 

Jeff Rose was the Gold winner followed by Eric Zine and Kirk Murphy.

When the Formula One Silver race rolled onto the runway one pilot needed just a bit of help getting into his racer. Justin Meaders needs a wheelchair and uses hand controls to race his aircraft.

His crew gently got him out of the chair and into the pilot’s seat where he got ready to go. At the end of that Silver race he finished fourth overall while Des Hart won it.

This year the Formula One Gold race was run later so more of the spectators would be able to see them. Usually both the Formula One and Biplane races are early in the morning when the winds are calm.

This week defending champion Steve Senegal didn’t have a good week and would start toward the back. As usual the aircraft lined up in rows for their standing start.

When the green waved the first line took off with Lowell Slatter taking the lead by the first Pylon. However behind him things weren’t so good.

Thom Richard’s racer had motor problems so he lifted the canopy to signal the officials he couldn’t start. But the row in back of him apparently didn’t realize what had happened or maybe never got the signal and began their take off roll.

Senegal apparently didn’t see Richard’s plane until the tail wheel came up off the ground and by then it was too late.

Richard’s racer received damage to its right wing and he suffered a injury in the impact that spun him around. Senegal’s plane also spun around after the impact and appeared to have broken one of its landing gear.

Fortunately neither pilot suffered significant injuries in the scary looking incident. But with emergency vehicles on the runway the field used the alternate runway after their race.

Up in the air Slatter held the lead from the first Plyon, ran away from everyone and flew to his first Gold championship.

After he arrived at the hanger Slatter said, “It’s been running all week, we were the fastest qualifier, won heat 1A, 2A and now we’ve won the Gold. I was the first guy at Pylon 1 and never saw anyone in my windshield until I lapped somebody. It was pretty bumpy, I was sweating like crazy when we got done because it was kind of warm but that makes the speeds go up a little bit, goes faster when its warmer and of course if we’re going to race this time of day it’s probably going to be bumpy.”

Then he thanked his crew, family and Judy Gallaway who supported him.

Jeff Zaltman visited the Air Races this year. After promoting the World Cup last year he’s taking a break but still looking for new venues to stage Formula One races. In mid-November he’ll stage a race in Thailand at a military base.

After racing ended on Sunday six Formula One planes were put into two containers as apparently they’ll go by sea.

One of them was Thom Richard’s so any repairs after the accident will be done over seas.

The goal is to expose that part of the world to this type of racing and air racing in general. Then in 2017 he hopes to return with a bigger field.

Now that the races have ended the airport at Stead is once again quiet except for the sounds of general aviation. But some next September the racers will once again flock back here to race in the National Championship Air Races.

Next year’s races are September 13 to 17. For further information please go to, www.airrace.org.

If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.

Subscribers have articles posted to their inbox as soon as they are on the site.

We now have three very appreciated sponsors that are helping support this site.

Our newest sponsor is Concours Body Shop owned by Gil Grieve, a veteran racer himself and a long time supporter of motorsports.

His shop does quality work and if you need their services remember they support racing so please support them.

The shop’s website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.

If you are into karting or want the most cost effective way to start racing then Nevada Kart Sport is where you want to go. It’s the only full service kart shop in our region and even retails karts.

The shop’s website is, www.nevadakartsport.com.

If you are into the riding lifestyle or race a motorcycle then Reno Motorsports is the place to go. They have about everything a person could want including a full service shop in the back.

Their website is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.

Have a business targeted toward the motorcycle or motorsport demographic? Well we are looking for more sponsors. You can contact us either through the comment section of the site or our Face Book page.

RESULTS

Formula One:

+ Bronze: 1. Phillip Goforth, 8:12.287, 186.477 mph 2. Scott Holmes, 3.Robert Michie, 4. David Roelofs, 5. Swald Rahn, 6. Joseph Clark, 7. Tim      Cone.

+ Silver: 1. Des Hart, 2. Jerry Marshall, 7:10.1973, 213.392 mph Ryszard Zadow, 4. Justin Meaders, 5. Tim McNamara, 6. Harris “Chip,” Mapoles, 7. Tom Watkins, 8. Paul Newman.

+ Gold: 1. Lowell Slatter, 5:57.577, 256.728 mph 2. Vito Wypraechtiger, 3. Justin Phillipson, 4. James Jordan, 5. Philip Goforth, 6. Steve Temple.

DNS: Steve Senegal, Thom Richard.

Biplane:

+ Silver: 1. Jeffrey Lo, 6:21.040, 189.431 mph 2. Anthony Oshinuga, 3. Casey Erickson, 4. Marilyn Dash, 5. Carl Robinson, 6. W. Bryron Roberts, 7. Robert Austen, 8. Dennis Brown.

+ Gold: 1. Jeff Rose, 5:31.320, 217.858 2. Eric Zine, 3. Kirk Murphy, 4. Birch Entriken, 5. David Roslofs, 6. Tony Higa, 7. Sam Swift, 8. John D’Alessandris.

Sport:

+ Medallion: 1. Brett Schuck, 11:13953, 225.054 mph, 2. Matthew Beaubien, 3. Skylor Piper, 4. Scott Farnsworth, 5. Stephen Christopher, 6. Robert Swortzel, 7. Axel Alvarez, 8. Tim Cone, 9. George Ford.

+ Bronze: 1. Dave Morss, 9:23.333, 270.997 mph, 2. Pete Zaccagnino, 3. Rick Vandam, 4. Jason Rovey, 5. George Catalano, 6. Leland “Dan” West, 7. Louis Gabriel, 8. Chris Schalch, 9. Steve Senegal.

+ Silver: 1. Vince Walker, 8:24.594, 302.543 mph, 2. Ernie Sutter, 3. Vicky Benzing, 4. David Robinson, 5. Sean Van Hatten, 6. Jessy Panzer, 7. Abe Gaskins, 8. Bill Beaton, 9. Tom McNerney.

+ Gold: 1. Jeff Lavelle, 7:30.561, 383.397 mph, 2. John Parker, 3. David Sterling, 4. Lynn Farnsworth, 5. Kevin Eldredge, 6. Bob Mills, 7. Peter Balmer.

DNF: Andrew Findlay, Gary Mead.

T-6:

+ Silver: 1. Gene McNeely, 7:45.833, 228.838 mph, 2. Eric Woebling, 3. John Krawczyk, 4. Ralph Rina, 5. Chris LeFave, 6. Michael Pfleger.

DQ: Peter Stavrides.

+ Gold: 1. Chris Rushing, 7:41.088, 231.193 mph, 2. Nick Macy, 3. Dennis Buehn, 4. Greg McNeely, 5. John Lohmar, 6. Joey “Gordo” Sanders.

Jet:

+ Bronze: 1. Zachary McNeill, 7:03.688, 408.899 mph, 2. Charlie Camilleri, 3. Robert McCormack, 4. Doug Matthews, 5. Joe Gano, 6. Scott Farnsworth.

+ Silver: 1. David Culler Jr., 6:31.698, 442.294 mph, 2. Jeff Turney, 3. Nathan Harnagel, 4. Doug Matthews, 5. Joe Gano, 6. Robert McCormack, 7. Scott Farnsworth.

DQ: Charlie Camilleri.

+ Gold: 1. Rick Vandam, 5:47.938, 497.921 mph, 2. Sean Cushing, 3. Zachary McNeill, 4. Mike Steiger, 5. David Culler Jr., 6. Jon Socolof, 7. Bob Mills, 8. Jeff Turney.

Unlimited:

+ Silver: 1. John “Dusty” Dowd Jr., 8:56.874, 376.174 mph, 2. John Maloney, 3. Robert Patterson, 4. Doug      Matthews, 5. Brant Seghetti.

+ Gold: 1. Steven Hinton, 8:21.980, 460.306 mph, 2. James Consalvi, 3. Brian Sanders, 4. Curt Brown, 5. Joel Swager, 6. Dennis Sanders.