Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 Well, some wag once said that all good things must come to an end. So it is with the Reno Air Races. This will be the last year. Reno I've never been, always wanted to... gonna do my best to make it this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Mosby Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 I grew up down in Palmdale, and Dad and I would attend the air races at Fox Field out near Lancaster. Got to see Darrell Greenemeyer(sp) and Mira Slovak(sp) racing. There was also a fellow that did a routine pretending to be a non-pilot that stole a piper club. For a good 10-15 minutes he and his spotter put on an absolutely hilarious routine staying within the confines of the runway width and usually below 300' or so. For a finale he would approach perpendicular to the runway, and as he crossed the edge would pop a drag chute and land before he got to the other side of the runway. I had Reno on my bucket list, but I don't see how I could make the trip for this, the last one. Granted falling attendence is a factor for the end, but I would suggest you might want to make reservations early, could be a good crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 My boss crewed on one of the racers for several years. 2012 was his last when the YAK he crewed on set some records. He said he was tired of watching friends die. He watched the 2011 crash, and said that the lap before the crash he knew that the pilot was in trouble. Gave testimony at the NTSB hearings on it. As exciting as they are, it might be time to rethink and revamp air races. The technology is outpacing human ability to control it. Especially when you factor in how many people will cut corners on safety to try to gain an edge, or put off needed maintenance/repairs because "it will hold for one more run, then we'll replace it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 It was the airport authorities decision. It appears they’re looking for a new venue, which will be problematic given the amount of real estate needed. So many airports are now hemmed in by development. https://airrace.org/news/to-our-loyal-fans-and-passionate-community/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 Damn indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 Watch the races at WJF when we lived in PMD. Watch several races at RNO. End of an era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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