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Ready To Rumble? Who's Gonna Do What At Reno 2003?!

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  • #61
    Revisionist history?

    I found Bill Pearce's comments about RARA/John Parker interesting...especially the comments about Parker being 'banned' back in the early '80's because he 'won too much', 'wasn't sponsored by a casino', and that his plane as 'non-conforming to the rules'.

    That's an interesting way to look at it. But since there are always two-sides to the story, perhaps we can examine what REALLY happened, and then determine where the finger-pointing should go.

    As "I" recall, it all came about from the 1977 'split' within the Formula 1 class. On the whole, the class seemed to feel that, since they were the only TRUE air racers, that they were better and more important than all of the other racing classes. But they couldn't agree on what design criteria made up the 'formula'.

    So they split...half going to Formula 1, and the other half creating the Formula IXL. The result? Neither group had enough aircraft to field a competitive race. Neither group had enough clout to take on RARA. And, surprise...neither group had ANY fan or spectator interest.

    I mean hell...am I the only one who remembers this? F-1 was fun up to that point...but this is what happens when you start taking yourself too seriously. It proved that the F-1 class is, was, and always will the the 'undercard' at Reno.

    And hey...where do you think John Parker was during this time? Right smack in the middle of the controversy. Not exactly an 'innocent victim'.

    Parker won three times at Reno, and pretty convincingly, with Wild Turkey. But he was never 'legislated out' because he won too much. If that were the case, Ray Cote would have been permanently banned (and enforced) long before.

    And it had nothing to do with the fact that Cote's Shoestring was sponsored by Circus Circus either. Hell, Miss Candace had a Circus sponsorship too...but nobody legislated Red Baron & Precious Metal out of the Unlimiteds to 'allow' Cliff Cummins to win.

    The fact of the matter is, the F-1/IXL thing resulted in a less-than-desirable show for the Reno/Mojave fans. So the "rule changes" Mr. Pearce is talking about was a solution to bring the two factions of the F-1 class back together during 1980-81. True...Parker's plane wasn't legal under the new rules adopted...but there were several other planes that fell under that too...and instead of quitting, their owners made the changes required and were 'legal' again.

    It's all just my worthless .02.....but if you're going to point the blame at RARA for being unfair to John Parker in the past, maybe the finger should also be pointed at Parker himself for starting the controversy in the first place.

    Ya think?

    Comment


    • #62
      Did'nt a similiar criteria war go on in the biplane ranks, resulting in the short lived "racing biplane" class?
      I don't pretend to know the particulars, just remember it diluted the numbers and eventually led to "Sorceress" and it's few peers no longer racing.
      Leo Smiley - Graphics and Fine Arts
      airplanenutleo@gmail.com
      thetreasuredpeacock.etsy.com

      Comment


      • #63
        Because I am the one that brought this issue into the light, I feel compelled to continue to post responses to questions. I hope you all don't mind.

        Wayne: I am disappointed too. This sport has the deck stacked against it and the dealer is giving cards from the bottom of the stack.

        claylemon: Exactly!

        Leo: The airport being closed began in 2002 because of the newfound interest in using airplanes as weapons of mass destruction. I feel that some took advantage of new restrictions to become an airport czar. As my dad states in his post (at WAP), he had major difficulties last year getting permission from RARA to fly his plane from his airport on Tues of race week. He left at 6:00 AM and returned at 8:00 PM. The times did not interfere with any qualifying, it was not during the actual air races and yet it took him over a week to get authorization. The authorization was a technicality; he was going to do it whether or not RARA gave him permission. As he stated, he worked closely with the Airport Manager to obtain this permission. I don’t recall much, if any traffic after or before the races last year.

        fly-by-knight: I believe John’s request was in response to the absurdity of RARA having the authority to close the airport to everyone except those that it grants a reservation to. Sorry to continue a depressing subject, but I feel compelled too.

        speeddemon: You are speaking of my father, but I think you are probably correct. I don't doubt that John Parker might be hard to deal with at times. I would be too if someone said that I couldn’t fly my airplanes out of my airport after-hours without a reservation. Good post, thanks for the History. I don't remember it, I was 3.

        Leo: You are correct. I don't know much about it.

        All: Thank you for your attention and support. This is not just about John Parker; this is about OUR sport. Air racing is not a sponsor’s sport, it is not a millionaire's sport, and it is not a child's sport. It is OUR sport. Do you educate the masses about air racing? Have you brought newbies to witness the magic? Have you opened your wallet to the air races? Are you a Rare Bear fan sponsor? Do you often wear a T-shirt with an air racer on it? Do you have an air racer on you computer? Any yes answers? Than it is your sport!

        It is our sport. It is dead without us. We are the racers, the crews, the fans. So why do we sit and watch our sport being led to destruction by those who organize it?

        To stifle promotion, the press (websites included in the "press" because that is what they are), the fans, and the racers, is suicide.

        I don’t know how to fix it, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to be quite about it.

        Bill Pearce
        the younger
        Bill Pearce

        Old Machine Press
        Blue Thunder Air Racing (in memoriam)

        Comment


        • #64
          On thursday or friday at last years races there was a corporate jet that landed during an unlimited heat race. I remember thinking that it was awfully strange for that to happen. I was listening on the scanner, and he had permission to land. He was advised to land short since the unlimiteds were on the course. They ended up parking by the sport class hanger.

          Anyone know who that was and how they got permission to land at that particular time?

          Comment


          • #65
            The squeeky wheel, Bill. Keep it up.
            and now that you mention it, I did notice the evenings were quieter last year.
            Guess in some ways we are lucky the races are allowed at all under the yellow alert. Or puce, muave, whatever it is that week.
            Gotta make sure those pesky Warbird owners don't go more wacko and load decide to destroy democracy with their steeds.
            I agree with tighter security but sometimes the wrong things are targeted.
            Sorry.
            Leo Smiley - Graphics and Fine Arts
            airplanenutleo@gmail.com
            thetreasuredpeacock.etsy.com

            Comment


            • #66
              Wasn't that corporate jet carrying some of the Astronauts that were running late.
              ECVSteve
              E Clampus Vitus SST #1827, #1850
              Reno Fan since around "82"

              Comment


              • #67
                The Announcer said it was Jack Deborr (sp) bringing Neil Armstrong into Reno.

                Comment


                • #68
                  Well it should be interesting in the T-6 world. We, Two of Hearts, are currently down with the engine off and the airplane still stuck at OSH. Hopefully, we'll be back up by the end of next week and on our way to the big show.

                  I can't wait to see Dewelle's new ride, I've heard some greatthings about it.

                  Comment


                  • #69
                    Originally posted by racemech11
                    Well it should be interesting in the T-6 world. We, Two of Hearts, are currently down with the engine off and the airplane still stuck at OSH. Hopefully, we'll be back up by the end of next week and on our way to the big show.

                    I can't wait to see Dewelle's new ride, I've heard some greatthings about it.
                    Eooouch! Chipster I presume???

                    Now you guys didn't mention this! Whaaaa happened?

                    The airplane sounded SOOOOOOO good at PRS, I was figuring you for some stiff competition this time round...

                    Ouchie!

                    Wayne
                    Wayne Sagar
                    "Pusher of Electrons"

                    Comment


                    • #70
                      Originally posted by racemech11
                      Two of Hearts, are currently down with the engine off and the airplane still stuck at OSH. .
                      Please let us know what is going on. I know we get all into a hissy about the unlimiteds, but we are all air race fans. The sound of a T-6 is so unique(not to mention 7 of them flying by).

                      I am putting up this pic af a T-6 that I took last year. I don't know who it is. I'm sure someone will let me know.


                      Good luck and happy flying,

                      Clay
                      Rare Bear Fan Sponsor

                      Comment


                      • #71
                        Dunno what happened to the pic. Here we go again.
                        Attached Files
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                        • #72
                          Clay,

                          That'd be Gene McNeely's "Undecided" Race #90 AeroShell T-6...

                          Great guy, great airplane...!

                          Wayne
                          Wayne Sagar
                          "Pusher of Electrons"

                          Comment


                          • #73
                            Originally posted by AAFO_WSagar
                            Clay,

                            That'd be Gene McNeely's "Undecided" Race #90 AeroShell T-6...

                            Great guy, great airplane...!





                            Thanks Wayne, I hope Gene will be there this year.
                            Rare Bear Fan Sponsor

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                            • #74
                              Ok, I found another one. Who might this be?




                              Please help, Wayne
                              Rare Bear Fan Sponsor

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                              • #75
                                I guess I'm losing it. And away we go!!!!!!!!!
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