The Fans in the Seats
The Fans in the Seats ~
Every September since 1964, thousands of hard-core devotees of the world's-fastest motorsport- competitive closed-course pylon Air Racing, eagerly come fm all around the globe to gather together in Reno, Nevada to be present during the excitement of race week @ the National Championship Air Races- one of aviation's premiere annual events.
Air racing fans as a group, comprise an enthusiastic tight-knit community that truly-loves aviation & its’ history, and knows how to celebrate & enjoy their common passion, while cheering-on their favorite contestants, -on a par equal to any major big spectator sport.
Most of the fans prefer to watch the air racing arena of competition action from the reserved & general admission grandstand bleachers or in the box seating up front near the finish line by Home Pylon- located by-design as the ideal spectator vantages for those fans that wish to follow the progress of an entire race & see performers right at air show center.
I think it would be safe to say- the majority of all air racing fans & even the participants, started-out their tenures by watching the races from the seats (I know I did for the first five of my past 37-consecutive years of attendance before I thought of picking up a camera vs. just watching). The camaraderie and level of enthusiasm generated by being right in there amongst the cheering fan spectator crowd is absolutely invigorating & infectious. Lots of good times are remembered & many times I've missed that wonderfully-fun people experience of watching the races from the stands.
This year's tragic freak accident occurrence during Friday's UNL Gold Heat-2A of Galloping Ghost flying out of control & crashing down into the box seats that resulted in the loss of veteran racer Jimmy Leeward & ten spectators, while gravely-injuring many more, -seems incomprehensible to all of us who were there (and to the watching world at large, as well). Whether or not a 'probable cause' determination can be eventually-declared by govt. investigation & analysis months fm now, almost seems moot, and surely won't provide any real solace to victim survivors & their families, or to us lovers of air racing- whose hearts were broken that sad day at Stead Field.
Hopefully, the Reno NCAR event & the air racing motorsport will be allowed to continue its' long great tradition in aviation history, after all is said and done. One thing's certain in my mind, and that's whatever the outcome either way- we must sincerely try our best to honor & never forget those loyal fans in the seats who became casualties on 9/16/11. I am amazed how many of the injured publicly-volunteered their desire to see Reno & air racing go on. If we can find it in within our hearts & means to offer some form of donated support to victims families via established fund-raiser groups right now-even better. That's just the right thing to do & coming from us sends a positive message out that we really do care about our sport and our own.
After all-they're the Fans in the Seats & we're them too. We all belong to The Air Racing Family.
Respectfully-
Don 'Bucky' Dawson
Every September since 1964, thousands of hard-core devotees of the world's-fastest motorsport- competitive closed-course pylon Air Racing, eagerly come fm all around the globe to gather together in Reno, Nevada to be present during the excitement of race week @ the National Championship Air Races- one of aviation's premiere annual events.
Air racing fans as a group, comprise an enthusiastic tight-knit community that truly-loves aviation & its’ history, and knows how to celebrate & enjoy their common passion, while cheering-on their favorite contestants, -on a par equal to any major big spectator sport.
Most of the fans prefer to watch the air racing arena of competition action from the reserved & general admission grandstand bleachers or in the box seating up front near the finish line by Home Pylon- located by-design as the ideal spectator vantages for those fans that wish to follow the progress of an entire race & see performers right at air show center.
I think it would be safe to say- the majority of all air racing fans & even the participants, started-out their tenures by watching the races from the seats (I know I did for the first five of my past 37-consecutive years of attendance before I thought of picking up a camera vs. just watching). The camaraderie and level of enthusiasm generated by being right in there amongst the cheering fan spectator crowd is absolutely invigorating & infectious. Lots of good times are remembered & many times I've missed that wonderfully-fun people experience of watching the races from the stands.
This year's tragic freak accident occurrence during Friday's UNL Gold Heat-2A of Galloping Ghost flying out of control & crashing down into the box seats that resulted in the loss of veteran racer Jimmy Leeward & ten spectators, while gravely-injuring many more, -seems incomprehensible to all of us who were there (and to the watching world at large, as well). Whether or not a 'probable cause' determination can be eventually-declared by govt. investigation & analysis months fm now, almost seems moot, and surely won't provide any real solace to victim survivors & their families, or to us lovers of air racing- whose hearts were broken that sad day at Stead Field.
Hopefully, the Reno NCAR event & the air racing motorsport will be allowed to continue its' long great tradition in aviation history, after all is said and done. One thing's certain in my mind, and that's whatever the outcome either way- we must sincerely try our best to honor & never forget those loyal fans in the seats who became casualties on 9/16/11. I am amazed how many of the injured publicly-volunteered their desire to see Reno & air racing go on. If we can find it in within our hearts & means to offer some form of donated support to victims families via established fund-raiser groups right now-even better. That's just the right thing to do & coming from us sends a positive message out that we really do care about our sport and our own.
After all-they're the Fans in the Seats & we're them too. We all belong to The Air Racing Family.
Respectfully-
Don 'Bucky' Dawson
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