232

[GRNDP51]

Re: 232

I would think one of the biggest issues (which almost contradicts itself) is the feeling of "what's the point" especially with a purse lower than it was before. There ARE Gold-worthy Unlimited's left, the reason for them to come is less and less when there are no planes to race against (definitely taking Tiger's side with this one). The course I am really hoping that the Unlimited class goes, is something along the lines of "history repeats itself". Goldfinger & Miss America type Mustangs and 3350-Furies show up and run around at 400-450 trying to chase Dreadnought down. Slowly modify here and there (especially if some sponsor comes on board with some money to make it worthwhile), and catch Dreadnought. I personally believe for the next few years Dreadnought will be the plane to beat, until the planes "in the works" (maybe Precious Metal, Furias, and hopefully Tsunami), come back and fuel that heated 500mph racing that isn't present now. As of now, I enjoyed watching Miss America and Sawbones battle it out, even though it's not 500, you still don't see and hear that anywhere else. Sport class was also VERY fun to watch and it's only going to get better (I know that won't ever be enough for some people to attend though).

I am really hoping that Tsunami is the revival that the class needs, it's one Unlimited that we can all watch progress monthly and cross our fingers that one day it will be back around the sticks. It may be the last hope too...

[Russ Craig]

Re: 232

In this age, every greatly contested sport eventually optimizes itself to the point of being obscenely expensive to operate. Unapologetically, this is done in the pursuit of WINNING.
In our time honored, yet relatively obscure motorsport of Unlimited Air Racing, we have enjoyed neither extensive sponsorship, nor great prize money to off-set the exorbitant cost of going fast. Yet a few great men have in most years, brought their dream machines to NCAR, to push that dangerous envelope a bit further in the quest to be the fastest man and machine, in the fastest sport.
Yes, they were mostly self-funded and no, the prize money was not commensurate with their effort. But they built their fantastic machines and raced on that ragged edge anyway; in the quest to be the best and be added to a storied list of air racing names that begins with Curtiss, Turner and Doolittle.
Thanks to men with that level of brass and appetite for victory; our history now includes names like Greenamyer, Shelton, Destefani and Hinton, along with their wonderful machines and those who challenged them around the pylons.
As a fan, I believe that these great men and other winners that I have not space to list here; hold dear above all, that they are remembered for their accomplishment at the PINNACLE of RACING and not for how much prize money they took home.
In light of events in recent years; I wonder if there are any special men, partnerships, or consortiums who have the “right stuff” and the appetite to stand with those giants at the top of this historic group; or has it all been left to accountants to define what can be dared?

[CubersWrist]

Re: 232

I guess rather than talking hypotheticals about the current and future owners, that leads to the question of how to grow the class beyond the existing field? It’s an indication of a poor state of affairs when the future of the class is questioned because one owner decides to not race or sells his plane.

Throwing more money at the purse isn’t a practical solution unless there is a confirmed sponsor. Letting sport planes is dangerous because of wake turbulence so that is out too. So how do you encourage and invite more owners of heavy, prop-driven planes?

[Ken Adkins]

Re: 232

People,people,people.Here we go again.Like Steve Jr.said in his presentation at EAA speakers series,it takes $15g's a lap to run a "super"unlimited at Reno for a week.Sit down and figure out your p&l and you are taking it in the shorts.232 is worth a lot more stock than as a "super" racer.People,you are not paying the bills.You don't have your accountants and lawyers on your ass when all the bills start showing up in October.

A owner is not there for you,he is there to have fun(it sure isn't the prize money),so when the accountant does the p&l for air race week,the owner starts scratching his head and finally get smart and figures out the plane is worth more stock and it is time to sell and make some money, and put that money into a sport tha'ts also fun but less costly or move to a class in air racing that is fun and you MIGHT put some change in your pocket.

Yes, you are correct, "here we go again". Not debating your point that it's crazy for an owner to keep pouring money into a super unlimited racer when it makes more sense financially to sell to someone who wants to return the plane to stock. The point I was making is that each time this does happens it's a blow to the long-term future of the unlimited class.

[toldjaso]

Re: 232

From what I have seen the engine is junk, basically broken in half internally.
Not sure how carefully she was put away several years ago but I imagine there would be a LOT of work involved in getting all the various systems resurrected, plus the engine. The result would be a racer that would be hard pressed to be a gold winner against Strega, or a healthy Bear. I know she was the "fastest Sea Fury" and I was a huge fan, but having the money and choosing between 232 and Bear to put my dollars into, it's a no-brainer based on history.
Someone with deep pockets would have to want to go racing very badly to put that money up and for whatever reason (and they are his personal ones so we are not to judge) that is not Rod Lewis at this time.

Besides the blowed-up engine, I believe the oil cooler was starting to leak oil into the boil-off system, which causes the oil temp to be too high.
The induction finally gave it up after years of back-firing on start-up.
These coolers are about $30,000 or so to repair, and that was in 2010 dollars. Maybe more now.

This is definitely a rich man's sport, and it is easy for the funding to dry up for other "hobbies" when you constantly break and don't win anything with your expensive machine.

[Leo]

Re: 232

From what I have seen the engine is junk, basically broken in half internally.
Not sure how carefully she was put away several years ago but I imagine there would be a LOT of work involved in getting all the various systems resurrected, plus the engine. The result would be a racer that would be hard pressed to be a gold winner against Strega, or a healthy Bear. I know she was the "fastest Sea Fury" and I was a huge fan, but having the money and choosing between 232 and Bear to put my dollars into, it's a no-brainer based on history.
Someone with deep pockets would have to want to go racing very badly to put that money up and for whatever reason (and they are his personal ones so we are not to judge) that is not Rod Lewis at this time.

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: 232

Is 232 still in the hanger @ Stead? I could see the "Bear" but not 232 thru the limited view door window on Sat.

[GRNDP51]

Re: 232

Yes, part of the induction trunk was ingested. Don't remember what the damage was though. I would be surprised to hear it junked the entire engine. At the time, it seemed like it was just a hiccup or cough of the engine, but there was obviously more than meets the eye.
This was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back with Rod and 232, yes? Seems Rod just lost interest with 232 after this incident.

That was 2013, in 2014 Rod gave it one last try and it broke during qualifying (making metal?), then Rod hung it up. The damage from 2013 got fixed, now the engine is just junked.

If you scroll down here a little bit there are very good summaries of '13 and '14 if any of you haven't watched them before (or want a refresher)

http://www.lewisairlegends.com/videos/

[marada mx3]

Re: 232

There was a rumor that a piece of the induction cowl broke off and was ingested by the supercharger, resulting in the engine failure. Was that ever confirmed?

Yes, part of the induction trunk was ingested. Don't remember what the damage was though. I would be surprised to hear it junked the entire engine. At the time, it seemed like it was just a hiccup or cough of the engine, but there was obviously more than meets the eye.
This was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back with Rod and 232, yes? Seems Rod just lost interest with 232 after this incident.

[marada mx3]

Re: 232

Rare Bear will look great as a stocker in shiny Navy blue, stars and bars, and a stock R-2800 back on the nose, eh?

Wow, you went there. I've never been worried about the Bear being turned into a stocker. Especially since she wasn't a stocker to begin with. I hope the day never comes and I hope no one has even had the thought of turning Rare Bear stock. If she never flies again, I'd rather see it in a museum.

[SpinB]

Re: 232

Rare Bear will look great as a stocker in shiny Navy blue, stars and bars, and a stock R-2800 back on the nose, eh?

.....you forgot the T, as in TF8F-2! (jus' like Stilletto)

[krts]

Re: 232

100% agree Russ. This is exactly what I was feeling last night when I read the news. It really makes me think the unlimited division dies a slow death each time someone buys a racer and never races them again (Riff Raff, Ridge Runner III, Furias, Bad Attitude, Steadfast, and now perhaps 232, just to name a few).

People,people,people.Here we go again.Like Steve Jr.said in his presentation at EAA speakers series,it takes $15g's a lap to run a "super"unlimited at Reno for a week.Sit down and figure out your p&l and you are taking it in the shorts.232 is worth a lot more stock than as a "super" racer.People,you are not paying the bills.You don't have your accountants and lawyers on your ass when all the bills start showing up in October.

A owner is not there for you,he is there to have fun(it sure isn't the prize money),so when the accountant does the p&l for air race week,the owner starts scratching his head and finally get smart and figures out the plane is worth more stock and it is time to sell and make some money, and put that money into a sport tha'ts also fun but less costly or move to a class in air racing that is fun and you MIGHT put some change in your pocket.

[cragdweller]

Re: 232

There was a rumor that a piece of the induction cowl broke off and was ingested by the supercharger, resulting in the engine failure. Was that ever confirmed?

[toldjaso]

Re: 232

232 is one of the top five super-unlimited with some engine development. I will be gutted if someone buys it to return it to stock. That plane is badass! I was there on the hillside the year Hoot was flying it. His early runs were astounding. 232 was hauling ass!

Fastest Sea Fury ever, I do believe.
Good thing Hoot can land dead-stick from the middle of the Pacific (space shuttle), he needed those skills each time one of those R-3350's sneezed and blew $500,000 out the pipes and down the side of the plane. All that metal circulating through that slow turning nose case is not the best for it, either.

[cragdweller]

Re: 232

232 is one of the top five super-unlimited with some engine development. I will be gutted if someone buys it to return it to stock. That plane is badass! I was there on the hillside the year Hoot was flying it. His early runs were astounding. 232 was hauling ass!