A Day at the Reno Air Races, Part 2
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by Erooster
The mirages shimmer off of the high desert floor in the growing heat around noon. Yet, all eyes are glued to the C-130 overhead and the four paratroopers that it has dropped. The parachutes open, seemingly hanging in space. One diver starts stringing out one of the largest US Flags that you will ever see. It flutters in the wind as the sheer weight pulls the diver closer. In the background a barbershop quartet sings “The Star Spangled Banner”, chills form on your arms as you think of the song and the sight of out nation’s flag.
The best analogy to NASCAR head for the ramp and prepare for takeoff. The T-6 Class is heading out. Truly, these are the stock car racing of the air world. Each must conform to exacting standards and invariably, one or two are disqualified for cheating every year. Your chest thumps as the trainers pass by, their propellers creating concussions similar to a Huey helicopter. The crowd cheers as their favorite plane passes by on take-off. All eight planes of the group form up on the starting aircraft, whose smoke is billowing forth to give the racers a reference. A string of multi-colored pearls hang off in the distance to the right. A radio crackles on the loudspeakers, “Move up. Lay back. Easy, now. You have a race!” Eight trainers dive for the deck, each seeking the coveted pole position for the Gold on Sunday. The 5.0646 mile course is laid out before them and the 240 mph mark is the goal.
A stroll back through pits, stop at the concessions stand for an “Afterburner” sausage and a beer. Again the question, “How can the ‘’Strega’’ crew not be here all the time with the smell of links on the grill and their pit box so close to the stand?” Going back through the pit gate and walk through the reserved and general admission crowd behind the grandstands. Passing by vendors and other concession stands to reach the goal of the static displays and the jet pits at the east end of the field.
The smell of JP-4 is floating on the wind, this near to the jets. No time to stop and gawk, as the “Bad Boys of Racing” are waiting for their turn to fly. The Unlimited Class is up next, the group that gets the most press and brings in the biggest crowds. The start-up of the planes draws you back to the sounds that you heard in the early morning. It is these aircraft that first drew you to the sport, the assorted fighters of World War II. There are Bearcats, Mustangs, Sea Furies, Yaks, a Corsair, a Tiger Cat, and a Hellcat to round out the field. The big, thumping round engines and inline V-engines, all the sounds quicken your pulse. Some are fully stock aircraft, while others are modified strictly for racing. Everyone has a favorite and you cheer for your own.
The racing is fierce among the Unlimiteds. However, you don’t know who is racing and who is sandbagging. The Unlimited class cruise around the 8.4803 mile course in any weather. Yet, on this day, the sun sparkles of the passing aircraft. The crowds cheer as the planes reach the 500 mph barrier, only crossed a few times in competition.
At the last, the Jet Class joins the racing. The competition is tighter amongst the jets than perhaps any other class. Jets are a relatively new addition, to the air racing circuit. These boys fly over 500 mph in non-afterburning jets at close range, within 100 feet of the ground and only several feet separating each plane. They will follow the same course as the Unlimited Class. Most are former military fighter pilots brought in as “hired guns”, to race in the fastest class of racing. Although some think of this class as the “Bastard Children of Air Racing”, it may well become the savior of the sport.
The day draws to a close on another day of racing. People head home, head for the hotel, or some stay in one of the many 5 th Wheel trailers, motor homes, or campers spread around in the surrounding fields. All look forward to the final racing day on Sunday, but dreading the thought of another year of racing being over. While in the pits the crews are trying to find that something special to win.
