Friday IF1 Tragedy

[hattend]

My friend called me from our box while I was at Scolari's.

A midair during a F1 Class race, one pilot reported to leave his wrecked plane, don't know about the second.

Prayers out for pilots

Wayne, if this is wrong...delete.

Don

[invader28]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070914/NEWS18/70914012&oaso=news.rgj.com/breakingnews

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

Sadly, true.. At approx 9:30 this morning there was, indeed, a mid-air involving two formula one aircraft.

Condition of pilots is not officially known at this point.. AAFO reporter Naomi West is at the press area awaiting the briefing. We will post her notes as soon as she calls them in.

Please, be careful about posting RGJ links as they have, in the past, released names prior to official announcement by RARA.

Very sad week...

Wayne

[spacegrrrl]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

When is the press conference? I really would like some details as soon as they are available as something like this in F1 hits close to home for me and being away and not knowing what happened is really frustrating.

So please, as soon as there is an official press conference I would really appreciate it if someone could post what happened and who was inolved.

Thanks and sending my thoughts out to everyone affected,

Michele

[tow-3]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

one tv station is now reporting that three aircraft were involved.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

RARA has officially released as many details as they can and the names of those involved.

Sadly, Gary Hubler has lost his life. His family are here and have been notified. Our prayers go out to them and those who knew Gary.

Jason Somes was flying the other accident aircraft and has been transported to the hospital with non-life threatening back injuries.

Two pylon judges were slightly injured, one refused treatment, the other has been treated and released for a sprained ankle.

The races will stand down for today, racing will likely continue in compressed format on Saturday and Sunday...

This report was phoned into us by a very emotional Naomi "GriffonGirl" West..

Wayne Sagar

[Red]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

Wow. I'm bummed. My heart goes out to all involved.

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

Hard to believe again. Blue Skies Forever Gary. Prayers to family & friends.

[Kevin L]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

Race control told us that all racing was suspended for the day and that a meeting of all pilots was to be held this afternoon. The airshow acts would continue to perform.

[wolfee]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

For the first time ever, I am glad I'm not there this year.

This has been an especialy hard year for air racing in general. But my father and I are beside ourselfs with the loss of today.


Blue skies Gary.
may your legacy live on with those you have touched.


My only prayer is that we have a safe year from here on out, and not have any more incidents.

[tow-3]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

I know how wolfee feels,
this is the first year in 28 years that I am not there, and I am starting to feel the same way. I am starting to feel like I may not go back.

my prayers to all the family and friends of those we have lost.

[MikeS]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

To the family and friends - my heart goes out to you all.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

I know how wolfee feels,
this is the first year in 28 years that I am not there, and I am starting to feel the same way. I am starting to feel like I may not go back.

my prayers to all the family and friends of those we have lost.

Tow.. I totally understand the feeling.. but read this.. http://aafo.com/racing/news/99/reno.htm

Was a long time ago and we've been essentially safe for many years...

Unless it is decided that the sport is just too dangerous to continue.. (hopefully this will not be the case) then we really owe it to the pilots who have passed to continue.

Wayne

[Reever]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

I know how wolfee feels,
this is the first year in 28 years that I am not there, and I am starting to feel the same way. I am starting to feel like I may not go back.

my prayers to all the family and friends of those we have lost.

My first year was 1978. I had not missed a year, until this year.

Every pilot that has lost his life at Reno, or any air race, has seen men lost before them. And, they came back to compete. Competition, or just pure love of the sport, or yet the greatest love, flying. What ever the reason. I won't miss next year, because it is the GREATEST sport in the world.

Steve Carter

[John H]

Re: Just heard...another plane down

For the first time ever, I am glad I'm not there this year.
.

Me too. I just couldn't motivate myself to buy the plane ticket and I had wanted to go all year. I blew a fortune on my German vacation last month, so that's why I'm not going. I've been tortured sick about not going this week, but perhaps it's for the best. The week isn't even done yet, I look forward to it ending.

John