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Not all of the competition at Reno is among the big unlimiteds. There are other ways to go racing as well. From the underpowered, to the undersized, to the latest in low drag high tech composites, there is a race class for every taste. With the exception of the Sport Class, the photos in this section are not of the planes which posted the listed speeds. |
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Top Qualifier: 260.1 mph |
Formula One Formula One is organized around a specific O-200 four cylinder engine. I believe the extent of engine modifications is somewhat limited, and the aircraft must have a minimum wing area. The racers are lined up on the runway in groups of three and race from a standing start. There are a variety of aircraft types ranging from old Cassutts to custom one of a kinds. |
Race: Gold winner 253.8 mph |
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Top Qualifier: 221.3 mph |
Biplane Once again the engine is prescribed and wings must be of a certain minimum area. Owing to a couple very clever monoplane "biplanes," today the ratio of wing area between bottom and top wing is also spelled out. This year's gold race winner blew his engine on the final lap. He took the checkered flag, called mayday, and wound up upside down at the end of the runway. The pilot was unhurt and took his winner's ride in an antique fire truck. |
Race: Gold winner 219.2 mph |
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Top Qualifier: 239.4 |
T6 What they lack in speed, they make for with noise. The underpowered AT6s may look dead slow in the air, but the spec class rules have kept these planes fairly close in competition. Even though basically stock, speeds have slowly crept up over the years. |
Race: Gold Winner 235.3 mph |
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Top Qualifier: 347.6 mph |
Sport Class The top class for homebuilts could very well be called the Darryl Greenamyer class. His twin turbo intercooled IO-540 Continental is supposed to be putting out 500-600 horsepower. Darryl may have some competition when Nemesis NXT gets in the air. This year, the next fastest qualifier was 40 mph slower than Darryl's Lancair. He holed a piston on Saturday, but managed to rebuild the engine and win (at reduced speed) on Sunday. |
Race: Gold winner 324.5 mph |
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