It's rare to see the legendary P-51 Mustang, the Grumman F8F Bearcat and the Hawker Sea Fury in flight – and rarer yet to see them compete.
At Reno's National Championship Air Races this week, these fighters and others will compete in the unlimited class. The class is generally populated by stock or modified World War II planes but is open to any piston-driven plane with an empty weight greater than 4,500 pounds, opening the door to a few built-from-scratch aircraft. The thrill in watching is the speed; these planes reach 500 mph on an 8.4-mile oval course.
The air races themselves are one of the area's most popular events and attract the best pilots. They are, after all, the national championships. And they are accompanied by the top aerobatic performers and military aircraft displays, both static and in flight.
Also flying are the biplanes – small, agile, acrobatic aircraft like the Pitts Special, the Mong and the Smith Miniplane – on a 3.2-mile course at speeds exceeding 200 mph.
The Formula Ones are mostly built by the pilots who race them. They are the most accessible aircraft in price, strictly controlled when it comes to matters like the size of the wingspan and the cam profile. They race on a 3.1-mile course at speeds that can reach 250 mph.
The sport class highlights kit-built aircraft. They must have a reciprocating engine of 650 cubic inches or smaller and be FAA-qualified. They race on a 6.4-mile course at speeds reaching 350 mph.
The T-6 class features stock aircraft, including the T-6 "Texan," the "Harvard" and the "SNJ" naval plane. More than 15,000 of the T-6s were built, having served primarily as advanced trainers. The fastest post speeds in the 220-mph range on a 5-mile course.
Then there are the jets. Inaugurated in 2002, the jet class features Czech-built Aerovodochody L-39 "Albatros" jets, racing at speeds over 400 mph on an 8.4-mile oval. Originally an invitation-only competition, the class proved so popular that it is now open to any qualified flier or aircraft.
There is little lag time for spectators at the event. Between races, there are air show performances, including the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels.
The Angels practice maneuvers at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday and 1:20 p.m. Thursday and Friday. On Saturday (1:20 p.m.) and Sunday (1:25 p.m.), it's the full performance.
Other highlights include performances by 2001 U.S. aerobatics champion David Martin; Patty Wagstaff, first woman and three-time winner of the National Aerobatic championship; and the Red Eagle biplane team, which specializes in low-level precision formations.
There are multiple ticket levels, but attendance at the National Championship Air Races costs just a little more than a rodeo. Adult prices range from $10 on Wednesday to $27 on Sunday; the entire event can be attended for $75. Seniors can get in for $5 Wednesday to $60 entire. Juniors ages 8-15 are admitted free Wednesday through Friday. Reserved grandstand prices go from $11 on Wednesday to $40 on Sunday, with the entire event at $110. Pit passes are available from $7 to $100 on top of admission ticket.
The races Wednesday through Friday are heats. Bronze competition begins at 8 a.m. Friday. The Unlimited Breitling Gold race is set for 4:05 p.m. Sunday.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.