Reno Air Races in 2011

[GregJohnson]

I'm hoping to attend the Reno Air Races this year for the first time. Is anyone else going? I'm not sure which ticket type to purchase except I was advised to get the the pit pass. Advice welcomed.

thanks much,

 

[sailingsouth]

Hey Greg and All

A pit pass is a must for every day!!! I know Marty is going too. You are going to love the air races. So much going on, so much to see. You have to stay till Sunday's final heat race. No need to buy a special more expensive ticket for the grand stands, just sit anywhere in the general admission seats. Parking is always a challenge, check the RARA website www.airrace.org
http://www.airrace.org/pdf/RARA_Sitemap.pdf for parking and gate info. Plan on spending $10 and up for parking, sometimes its worth spending $20 to $30 on someone's private lot that is close to the gate/fence. Saturday and Sunday is a mad house so make sure you get there early or your going to walk a long way. Every gate will be checking your bag or back pack for adult beverages, no coolers are allowed.

I've been going for 10 years now. Long story but I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, Ha Ha. Now I crew on the Rare Bear.
I would like to extend a personal invitation to all BAC members for an up close look see of the Bear. Last year was a little messed up but you can be assured this year will be much more fan friendly! If anyone is interested meet me at the Bear hangar 5pm Friday September 16th. Our hangar is located at the far east end of the field. Hopefully the Bear will be in the hangar by this time, ya just never know??? It would be great if everyone who wants to do this will show up at the same time, its nice to meet other BAC'rs. Text me when you get there as I'm sure I'll be busy and will forget but no matter what I'll take time to show yea around.

Seeyaontheramp
Scott
214-529-3864

 

[mvanover]

Yeah, I'll be there. This year in Box 109 (our overflow box). I'll try to be at the hanger at 5 pm on Friday. The Bear crew wasn't so accommodating last year. So, I was rootin' for a P-51. Which is a change, as normally I root for the F4F.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.

 

[dfaucette]

I'll be at the Reno Air Races again this year. But then, I live close enough to Reno call it in my back yard so to speak. Probably be there Friday and Saturday this year. Yes, definitely go for the pit passes. At least half of the vendors exhibiting are in the pit area of the ramp - which you cannot visit if you just go for general admission only.

Doug Faucette
N60003 - C23

 

[Clinderman]

I'll be there too...with Marty. WE have enough time to designate it as a BAC event for PT points if we want to. It is a wonderful event and one I like much better than Oshkosh because there is so much more flying, but that's just me.

Hope to see several BAC'ers there!

 

[BobLewis]

Make it a BAC event. I'll go.

 

[Ed]

Me too. Just need a Beech to fly now!

 

[sailingsouth]

Hey Marty

Where about is box 109? I'll be heading out tomorrow evening, staying till the 19th. I'll come visit, watch a race or 2 if I can.

Scott

 

[mvanover]

Scott,

Box 109 is the last row of the boxes just in front of the grand stand (not the cheap seats) across from the finish line. Drop by if you can. I'll try to hook up with you at the Rare Bear if I can.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.

 

[GregJohnson]

Unfortunately I'm unable to go to Reno now. Y'all have fun, and maybe next year.

 

[knownbliss]

Jeff and I will be going this year for the first time. Our posh accommodations fell through so we will be flying the truck and trailer up. Thursday through Saturday...(driving all day Sunday to get home for work Monday )

I will have pit passes. I there a planned meeting point? Can we do lunch one day as a group?

 

[mvanover]

Gee, there are lots of places to meet. The problem is getting everyone there at once. The best places might be the hangers on the West end (Formula 1, Bi-plane, Sports and Super Sports). Usually a good place to congregate out of the sun. Which reminds me, the forecast after Wednesday isn't so hot. Low's in the 50s and highs in the low 80s. Which wouldn't be bad, except for the rain that is also forecasted for the rest of the week. Of course, that's just the forecast. They'll throw more darts at that weather target before we arrive.

If anyone gets lost, call my cell phone.

Marty Vanover
Phoenix, Az.
(480) 882-8750 cell

 

[knownbliss]

we managed a get together anyway despite the tragedy...

Right to Left
Mike, Marlene and Doug, Jeanne Jeff and (from the purpleboard) Jerry, Ross and Dawn...

with the official banner:

Left to right
Mike, Pam, Jeanne, Jeff, Marlene and Doug

 

[sailingsouth]

Hey Everyone
Just wanted to let you know the entire Rare Bear crew is ok. It was a horrific accident to witness. We had several friends including my ex-wife in box 77 watching the race, we didn’t hear from any of them for over an hour. It was very intense and very heart breaking.
Jimmy Leeward was a very nice guy, gave most of our crew a ride in his Mustang a couple years ago. He will be missed by all! This year our pit was across from the Galloping Ghost, we were all looking forward to seeing her race this year. Out on the start line down by the pits, most of the crews walk to each others plane, we chat, joke, shake hands and wish each other a safe flight. Jimmy came over to us, said good luck, shook all our hands and jokingly said don’t let anybody pass me…. We had a certain power setting we were going to run during the race, the Ghost was coming on hard, John Penney told Stew Dawson this on the radio. Stew asked Dave Cornell if he wanted to bump up the power, Dave said no and told Stew to let Jimmy pass. All looked normal until the Ghost came by the pit area.
I’ve been with the Rare Bear team for 10 years (minus last year), I have personally witnessed and responded to several aircraft accidents at Stead Field. All air race pilots and crew know and accept the risks involved. All of us are very saddened by the passing of Jimmy Leeward but this is not what brought tears to our eyes. The fans, the spectators. Our hearts are broken, this is a tough pill to swallow.

Please pray for all who were lost and injured
Scott Litster
6953Q

 

[knownbliss]

Glad you and yours are ok, sorry we did not get a chance to meet up under better circumstances....thanks for your comments.

 

[mvanover]

Last week Tom, one of the local snowbirds, showed up at the hanger. He has a Light Sport and a Cherokee 180. Turns out he was in Reno when I was (we never saw each other). I was in box C106/07/08/09 (combined) and he was in box B38. The Gallopin' Ghost did it's nose dive into box B39. The prop arc passed a few feet from him and his wife. The prop blast (or perhaps impact concussion) knocked them backwards to the ground and the debris went over them. Both got up with out a scratch. There were ten people in front of them that didn't make it. Talk about being in the right place at the wrong time! Interesting, 4 people he was talking with in box B39 just prior to the impact happen to step back at just the right moment and were missed. He was unaware they survived until he saw a L.A. times photo with them standing up after the crash next to the crater. Odd how some were so close and unhurt and others farther away suffered injury. Hopefully, this will be the last Reno Air Race/spectator injury event. The person I know that was most affected had been going to Reno since 1964, says he's recovered and will be there next year.

 

[sailingsouth]

Hey All

Here is a link to some Reno Air Racing news.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20111215...will-happen-2012-despite-Reno-Air-Races-crash

Scott
MA-300