Jetrader - Winter 2015 - 35

have seen only a limited number of aircraft
participate the past few years. Strega and
Voodoo, both P-51 Mustangs, are considered the fastest aircraft. Together, they are
good for all victories over the past eight
years. Unfortunately, Voodoo, flown by last
year's champion Steve "O" Hinton, suffered
a technical problem during this year's Gold
Finals and had to give up while in second
position. Rare Bear comes close to the two
Mustangs in terms of pure speed but last
won the races in 2007. Top contenders that
unfortunately did not participate in the
2015 races were Sea Fury, 232 September
Fury (2006 winner); YAK-11, Czech Mate; and
P-51XR, Precious Metal.
The story of Precious Metal this year was
a very sad one, indeed. Pilot Thom Richard
was en route from Florida to Reno when
disaster struck:
"The aircraft was running fine, and I was
taxing out of the chocks after fueling up. A
gentleman came running and signaled me to
shut down. I had no idea I was on fire until
he alerted me, as it was under the airplane.
By the time I came to a stop, the flames
were reaching the cockpit on the left side
and I abandoned ship. There was no time
to attempt fighting the fire, as we feared
an imminent explosion with 190 gallons of
fuel onboard."
Last year, Precious Metal initially scored a
third-place finish but was later disqualified
after a highly controversial decision, claiming the plane had crossed the track limits
at the east showline (i.e., the south edge
of the east/west runway). Fortunately, it
looks like Precious Metal can be rebuilt, but
this will require a lot of money. Sponsors
contributing $50 or more in the GoFundMe

Breitling jet buzzes the home pylon.

campaign can get their portrait painted on
the rebuilt racer.
Next to the pure racers, a number of
fairly standard warbirds participate in the
Unlimited class. The majority are P-51
Mustangs with names like Grim Reaper, The
Rebel, Speedball Alice, Sparky and Lady Jo.
The field is completed by Sea Furies like
Sawbones and Argonaut and a YAK-11, Lylia.
Unfortunately, the spectacular Tigercat, La
Patrona, did not participate in the races
either this year.
As said before, Strega was a clear winner
(489 mph) in the hands of "Hoot" Gibson,
especially after Voodoo had to abandon.
Second-placed Rare Bear was fairly close
(472 mph). The gap with No. 3 Dreadnought
was significant, though (420 mph), but the
other Sea Fury, Sawbones, was very close
(416 mph).
The Unlimited class was not the only
category racing in Reno. In terms of pure
speed, the jet category is actually even
faster. While, generally, the outcome of
the jet race is predictable in the sense
that most of the serious contenders fly
the Czech AERO L-39 Albatros aircraft, this

The winning pilot, "Hoot" Gibson.

Bear and Strega over the High Sierra.

"Tora, Tora, Tora" simulated attack on Stead Field.

T-6 Class Eros over a barrel.
Jetrader  *  Winter 2015 35
Jetrader - Winter 2015

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