Dusty Dowd Yak-11 race 92

[Florian]

I find the performance of John "Dusty" Dowd in the small Yak-11 "Lylia" this year quite remarkable - 376mph average speed out of a R-1830 powered Yak-11 is really interesting. Back in 2012 Will Whiteside was able to get 395mph out of Steadfast but equipped with the R-2000 engine and several modifications.
I'm really interested to know how the sound of the Yak-11 was at the last race on Sunday.

Best regards,
Florian

[wingman]

Dusty Dowd is a very special character. He raced extensively in Formula 1 back, I think, in the 1980s, and is still a legend for his ability to get speed out of a regular Cassutt by attention to detail. Many other airplanes in the class were made significantly faster by tips from Dusty. He still Has Cassutts around -- when my late friend Gary Austin wanted to fulfill a dream and go racing he borrowed or leased a lovely and immaculate yellow and white bird from Dusty. Dusty currently is the owner of the sort of P-51A "Polar Bear", which is in major restoration.

Dusty Dowd has deep roots in racing.

He posted a bit here after Reno last year. It would be nice if he came around here again to talk about his 2016 experience, as well as his progress on Polar Bear.

Neal

[Fence Sence]

Dusty smoked the rest of the Silver field. That little a Yak was hummin'! Are you sure it's only an 1830? I haven't looked into it myself but I'll take your word for it, Florian. It sounded happy and seemed to run beautifully all week.

[N22252]

Dusty smoked the rest of the Silver field. That little a Yak was hummin'! Are you sure it's only an 1830? I haven't looked into it myself but I'll take your word for it, Florian. It sounded happy and seemed to run beautifully all week.

Everybody's favorite announcer called it a 1340

[Reever]

Everybody's favorite announcer called it a 1340

Well, everybody makes mistakes, but this is one that the announcers keep making. Two years ago they were all messed up on the Sanders Sea Furys. I know that's an interesting combo, but go to the pits and take notes.

[RAD2LTR]

A couple shots of race 92 that I took on Saturday.



He was really moving all week. He flies a beautiful line and the results show it. He may not have a ton of horsepower but he knows how to make the most of it.

Will

[FlyKidChris]

Dusty and his Yak-11 were very impressive this year. I hope to see more next year.

[Florian]

I really like this forum and the interesting background discussions. With the information from Neal about Dustys history the good performance he pulled out of the small Yak is more understandeable for me.
Nick, the R-1830 Twin Wasp information I found on several internet sites dated 2015. But maybe Dusty himself can bring some light into the discussion if he finds this threat and if he is willing to share some details about the engine and the airframe
On the good pictures from Will I can also see that a larger spinner is installed this year (looks nearly as large in diameter as the spinner from Steadfast).

Best regards,
Florian

[GRNDP51]

I really like this forum and the interesting background discussions. With the information from Neal about Dustys history the good performance he pulled out of the small Yak is more understandeable for me.
Nick, the R-1830 Twin Wasp information I found on several internet sites dated 2015. But maybe Dusty himself can bring some light into the discussion if he finds this threat and if he is willing to share some details about the engine and the airframe
On the good pictures from Will I can also see that a larger spinner is installed this year (looks nearly as large in diameter as the spinner from Steadfast).

Best regards,
Florian

From Dusty in the off season, he said that he was going to do all he could without putting the 2000 in it, I imagine he stuck with his word

[Idaho_cowpony]

It was really great watching the little Yak tear it up.

Is a wing job, full-blown fuselage mod, 2800, and race trailer really worth it for an extra 74mph?

- Joseph