Three years ago, and it still gives me goosebumps! Absolutely spectacular race! And to be there (my dad, my son, and I) made it that much more exciting! Definitely glad I found your video. 👍🏻
Wow what a race thank you Jaun for making it possible for us to have a seat there. To watch this great vintage machine fly at this level shows the grace and respect they deserve. It also is a great reminder why I feel the P-51is still the greatest plane ever designed and built. A salute to the men who flew these birds in battle so long ago and hats off to you Jaun for your reporting that helps keep the spirit of these gracious machines alive and well for years to come.
I used to watch Strega being worked on when the team was based out of a Santa Barbara hangar. What a beautiful aircraft. At the bar after a days work a lady pilot said Rare Bear crew were asking what they were doing with Strega. Bill responded "tell them we are putting on a prop that spins in opposite directions". I always marvel at this plane.
Wow Juan! That was fantastic. I can't imagine the rush of seeing the ground go by at over 500 mph so close to the ground. Unbelievable..... I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I was privileged to have been present along with my brother James for this year's race and the Unlimited Gold Final. It was a truly heart pounding, thrilling experience. What was sad to learn was the news that Voo Doo will be retired as well as Rare Bear and Race 292.
Thanx Juan............That's a lot of blacktop there in Reno and it can be very hot. My dad being a airport bum here in Northern California since the late 50's I have had my share. Your a good man Juan.................Thanx
Juan thanks for the footage. I believe the Mighty Luscombe would love to have one of those Unlimited P-51s as a stable mate. She'd be so PROUD. I know you would enjoy piloting the BEAST. Talk about some speedy Oroville Dam updates. Wow!
I'm sure Captain Brown would love to own a P-51, but he better stick with the Mighty Luscombe for Oroville updates. At the speeds these beauties were going, by the time he could get the camera turned on and aimed in the right direction, he might be photographing Oregon.
THANK YOU for posting that video. Those of us who are disabled and cannot travel really APPRECIATE it! I used to go but cannot attend any longer. I noticed that Voodoo's propeller looks an awful lot like Strega's. And some of the aero mods are very close. Perhaps some intel and copying? Or hand me downs to keep the class competitive and make for good racing. Whatever the case it works! Sorry to see Voodoo go out like this. I remember Bob Hanna driving in the 90's. It's come a LONG way. Maybe we can convince a wealthy industrialist to begin building Mustangs and engines so this kind of racing will not die out. A competitive 3 or 4 plane pack going 480+ would be fantastic! I would also like to see a right hand turn somewhere along the course. That would be interesting. Dangerous but interesting. BIG THANKS to all personnel involved with the racing and ALL THE FANS! Greg
Thank You so very much for the videos you shared with us and allowed us to see that spectacular event and excellent Unlimited Gold Race. Reno has always been on my bucket list. There was no way to make it this year due to things including Hurricanes but we were able to see it because of your video coverage. Again Thank You!!!
This is one of the most exciting video about Reno on TH-cam , you did a fantastic job ! I wish that voodoo will find herself competing again at Reno in 2018 , they are the soul of unlimited gold racing!
Impressive stills towards the end of the video. Really tight, clear shots. Thank you for allowing us to attend the Reno Air Races from our homes around the world! Your commentary may point to a 3rd career option. Maybe they need to put you in the announcers booth! 😉
Dad and I used to go every year. Ironically, we are from Grass Valley to boot! Haven't been in years, but my goosebumps are just as large! Love those sounds!
5:00 on the beginning of the first lap, Voodoo was able to pass Strega and go from 2nd to 1st place. 11:55 at the end of Lap 5 at the home pylon Strega went from 2nd place to 1st place. From what I've read elsewhere, Voodoo was leading and approaching a slower plane low and went wide and low around it. Strega was up high, held his high line and was able to make up the distance by flying an inside shorter line and then dive in for the pass.
Great coverage of an outstanding race. Question, it seemed you had a front row view, did you need a special pass for that. Used to go to Indy Car races and you needed special pit passes to get that close to the action.
Thanks for the admirable effort trying to record an event like this with the wrong camera. The pros, other than using studio type 2/3" cameras configured for outside production (EFP - Electronic Field Production) use portable 2/3" ENG (Electronic News Gathering) cameras with longer EFP portable lenses that have remote controlled servo zoom and remote focus controls mounted on 180° tilt fluid head tripod pan handles. I've recorded the Blue Angels over San Francisco several times with my specialized ENG equipment but not often enough to become proficient in keeping proper closeup framing and focus which is an advanced skill that my extensive experience as a dance videographer helped a little but probably not as much as fast sports videographers have (for example, automotive racing). Some of the recordings done by the Australian videographers for the Historical Aviation Film Unit TH-cam channel are pretty good following high speed airplanes but some not because of failed auto-focus and auto-exposure that may have been done on the wrong cameras like large format DSLRs or DSLs that naturally have shallow depth of field, especially if not set properly for deep focus. Large format cameras are good for gathering light but they work against you for deep focus whereas the smaller format 2/3" cameras naturally have greater depth of field even with wide open aperture at medium focal lengths.
*Fantastic* and *exciting* coverage, video capturing, commentary, and editing of a *phenomenal* and *historic* Unlimited race, Juan--WOW! Thanks so much for sharing this great production and for nabbing those sleek shots of Rare Bear (my fave)! Too bad it's hung up in divorce court, literally, and some say will be up for sale! Want to race the fastest prop-driven bird on the planet hmmm?! Check with Jeni first! ;-) Thanks much again, Juan, Jeni, Julianne, and Pete!
Juan , I was looking for you all weekend , I saw you in the c-130 cockpit but missed you coming out, didn't see you again. When I got home and going through my pictures you was standing right in front of me for the gold jet race. Love your videos.
Long time subsciber to your channel Juan and attended this yrs race as well, want to say you out did yourself outstanding job from a sailing Adv riding aviation nut. Your almost ready to quit your day job.
Also, wonderful plug for your new Steady-Cam camera there, better than I can do with my Unsteady-sometimes-lens-covered-by-finger camera work. Hey if I take enough pictures, chip can hold 3,200 pics now, eventually I'll have a few keepers, heh heh.
Oh wow!!!... I've been going to the Air races since 1991. Unfortunately missed the last 6 years...... many great Rare Bear vs. Strega, or Dago Red, or September Fury moments. All amazing.... Most lead changes were early in the race or someone blew an engine which determined the winner...... Never has there been a Neck and neck with the final pass on the final Lap in the Gold Race.... that was was intense!!! And it was two Mustangs!!!!
Blancolirio, Good job on this video. Talk about what is going on and show it! Music was right when used and the pictures and content fit to make a well produced video. Best I have seen in You Tube in a long time.
Hi Juan, just came across this video - P-51 is my favorite plane. Nothing better than a Mustang sound! Didn't know you were there, must've been a blast.
With the new news that 20023 will be the last year for the Reno Air races I believe this was the actual year that the races ended. While I enjoy the rest of the other fields it was the Unlimiteds that set the tone for the week. I hope I can make it this year to smell the sage and the exhaust one last time. First race was in 1989 and man how things have changed.
Very exciting - thanks for the "ring-side" seat, Juan! Would have liked to see Voodoo retire undefeated... Lovely race though! I was thinking the same when you said it, hoping he'll decide he needs a rematch....
Check out the beautiful laminar flow airfoil cross section as the wingtip goes by during roll out. That fat airfoil was the secret to success of the P-51, mostly from increased fuel capacity. Replacing the Allison engine with the Merlin made it a world beater.
Seen this race as a pylon judge on outer 6, Unbelievable, I did not think strega would catch voodoo, but low and behold he did, It was once in a lifetime experience to see them come around on the 7th lap neck in neck, Unbelievable to witness that close, Those engines were screaming!
Awesome video! Thank you! Kinda sad to see Rare Bear parked. And Voodoo retiring. We all know Steve Hinton will be flying something next year! We need Precious Metal back!
Juan. Maybe you could offer to interview both pilots online and post the video and to have both of them online at one time would be very interesting to hear their comments on the race and how they were able to pass. A split screen with you and the 2 racers, the other half with the race video.
The "chase" plane is preferably a little higher, or are those security procedure that ask that ? I like the show Passing can be very dangerous is not it ? I am interested in the procedure to do so . NICE CAMERA JOB ! THANKS
Juan, what a close finish WOW. Juan I have a idea for your channel. How about a series or one time thing about a day in the life of a commercial airline pilot, like the nuts and bolts of what you go through. Starting with the weather, preflight, etc. I for one would really enjoy that, and I think a lot of your viewers would also. just a thought, take care.
Great video ! Missed out on a ride in a P-51... Waiting for the SNC Dream Chaser to start flying and land gently at a Spaceport near you ! Was at the EAA once in Wisconsin... Thank you for the video ! tjl
The results might have different if only Strega and Voodoo were on the course. Both were required to pass other airplanes moving 80-100mph slower which is extremely dangerous and interferes with staying on the throttle and moving full speed.
Robert Gandt has a good book that’s a bit dated now “Fly Low, Fly Fast” that’s a pretty interesting look into the behind the scenes stories of the racers from the start in 64? to the 90s.
Will they still be racing these planes when they're 100 yrs old? It's time for another purpose built Unlimited. Try the Pond Racer again with better engines- maybe even turbo props.
I wonder. Watching on film (OK not really film) does not really give so great a feeling. I wonder if, for the entertainment of spectators it would be possible to receive a data stream of what is going on with each aircraft while it is in flight? (we are living in the era of information) This sure would add another interesting component to racing. OK I know teams do not like sharing this data but it would be interesting to know what those cockpit instruments are displaying during a race.
There should be more promotion of this sport with internet live streaming and each plane should have 6-8 cameras on on board. Internet live streaming allows the entire world to watch.
Unless there was a way to mount the camera aerodynamically, there is no way anyone would consider it. Plus, who would want too cut holes in the wing(s) to allow it?
Indy Cars and NASCARS have done it and look how much it has added to those sports. Have the racers design it and all you need is 1/2 inch hole for the wiring. Think of all the valuable video you could get from it.
Juan, thanks for posting, otherwise I would of missed this. And thanks to your friend Tim too for the pylon shots!!! What is the elevation there at Reno and any guess as to the average temp during race days? Best regards, Bob
Wow what a race. I watched the live stream of several races saturday and yesterday. but the best race was the final unlimited gold. I found it interesting that both Strega and Voodoo engines where built at the same shop to a tune of 130,000 each. I was surprised how squirly the bi planes looked landing. Have a couple of questions what are the big generator looking carts they use to help start the unlimiteds. Do all the planes in the unlimited class have to be p51 or can you run another type of plane in the unlimiteds? Juan another great video as usual must say I have really enjoyed your channel since I found it last winter during the dam Crisis.
Nash: The start cart is used to minimize use of batteries in the plane i.e. weight. Any military plane may be flown and races have often included F4U's, F8F, SeaFury, etc.
Nash: The P-51 tends to predominate because it has a low drag 'laminar flow" wing and smaller frontal area (drag) compared to aircraft with radial engines. Now, if there were a competition that involved low speed flight and maneuverability, we would see a lot of navy planes and few P-51's. Grin!
WOW ! That was great !! Got so many Q,s - Whats the distance for 1 lap ? The lower fly planes - Are they using the technique of birds { Seagulls ? Albatross etc } by using the compressed air agianst the surface to gain a tiny bit more speed ? Really enjoyed that blanco ! - Thanks
Thanks Pelican - For your reply _ One other thing - Dose " Heat " play a roll in this too { Higher being cooler = less rise ? } Lower being thicker air ? More " Grip so to say " ?
I would love to see A-10 Warthogs set up to race since they are still are a pilots plane. would be interesting to see one fly without the weight of the gun, ammo and all the armor.
C7997: Well it is kind of pointless. The A-10 is not a fast aircraft and is limited by its straight wings and high drag. Nothing much to be learned or gained. Maneuverability is not much of a factor in this racing. shrug.
Can I get your email address? I live in Mojave, a block off the airport. I've got close up pics of Stratolaunch and recent Virgin galactic glide test. I RESEARCHED 2017 KTM 250 exc-f.....and your video popped up. Been subscribed ever since.
Depends on which team, but for the top Gold contenders, absolutely. Typically, there is one person in direct contact with the pilot (normally the crew chief), who lets him know race position and telemetry status. Helps the pilot concentrate on what he needs to do, rather than watch gauges and worry about position.
Three years ago, and it still gives me goosebumps! Absolutely spectacular race! And to be there (my dad, my son, and I) made it that much more exciting! Definitely glad I found your video. 👍🏻
Wow what a race thank you Jaun for making it possible for us to have a seat there. To watch this great vintage machine fly at this level shows the grace and respect they deserve. It also is a great reminder why I feel the P-51is still the greatest plane ever designed and built. A salute to the men who flew these birds in battle so long ago and hats off to you Jaun for your reporting that helps keep the spirit of these gracious machines alive and well for years to come.
Incredible race! Thank you Juan for giving your time, while enjoying the race! EXCITING & BREATH TAKING! 🇺🇸
A brilliant race. wow. Reminds me of the races I got to watch in 80's with Skip Holm and Steve Hinton (Stevie's dad) and Bill Destefani. great stuff
so sad that we won't see this again. thanks for capturing this awesome race
I used to watch Strega being worked on when the team was based out of a Santa Barbara hangar. What a beautiful aircraft. At the bar after a days work a lady pilot said Rare Bear crew were asking what they were doing with Strega. Bill responded "tell them we are putting on a prop that spins in opposite directions".
I always marvel at this plane.
Wow Juan! That was fantastic. I can't imagine the rush of seeing the ground go by at over 500 mph so close to the ground. Unbelievable..... I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you very much Juan! I used to live down the road in Carson City before i moved to Alaska, i really miss it. That and the Fallon Air Show.
I was privileged to have been present along with my brother James for this year's race and the Unlimited Gold Final. It was a truly heart pounding, thrilling experience. What was sad to learn was the news that Voo Doo will be retired as well as Rare Bear and Race 292.
Thanx Juan............That's a lot of blacktop there in Reno and it can be very hot. My dad being a airport bum here in Northern California since the late 50's I have had my share. Your a good man Juan.................Thanx
Fantastic Juan - thanks a lot for sharing this. Lot of very low flying.
Thanks for the upload. Surprised how little press this race gets. Love to see clean, close and safe.
Good point! The MSM fail to capture the human drama behind each race...
Juan thanks for the footage. I believe the Mighty Luscombe would love to have one of those Unlimited P-51s as a stable mate. She'd be so PROUD. I know you would enjoy piloting the BEAST. Talk about some speedy Oroville Dam updates. Wow!
I'm sure Captain Brown would love to own a P-51, but he better stick with the Mighty Luscombe for Oroville updates. At the speeds these beauties were going, by the time he could get the camera turned on and aimed in the right direction, he might be photographing Oregon.
I'd love to see Juan in a P51 for the next Oroville update!
THANK YOU for posting that video. Those of us who are disabled and cannot travel really APPRECIATE it! I used to go but cannot attend any longer. I noticed that Voodoo's propeller looks an awful lot like Strega's. And some of the aero mods are very close. Perhaps some intel and copying? Or hand me downs to keep the class competitive and make for good racing. Whatever the case it works! Sorry to see Voodoo go out like this. I remember Bob Hanna driving in the 90's. It's come a LONG way. Maybe we can convince a wealthy industrialist to begin building Mustangs and engines so this kind of racing will not die out. A competitive 3 or 4 plane pack going 480+ would be fantastic! I would also like to see a right hand turn somewhere along the course. That would be interesting. Dangerous but interesting. BIG THANKS to all personnel involved with the racing and ALL THE FANS!
Greg
Thanks Greg! Yes maybe these videos may inspire investment...
Been there but today we bought the T-Shirt for unlimited's, thanks for the coverage - heart stopping racing...
Thank You so very much for the videos you shared with us and allowed us to see that spectacular event and excellent Unlimited Gold Race. Reno has always been on my bucket list. There was no way to make it this year due to things including Hurricanes but we were able to see it because of your video coverage. Again Thank You!!!
This is one of the most exciting video about Reno on TH-cam , you did a fantastic job ! I wish that voodoo will find herself competing again at Reno in 2018 , they are the soul of unlimited gold racing!
Impressive stills towards the end of the video. Really tight, clear shots. Thank you for allowing us to attend the Reno Air Races from our homes around the world! Your commentary may point to a 3rd career option. Maybe they need to put you in the announcers booth! 😉
My friend Tim O'Brien's pylon shots...he's been doing it for years...it's very hard to do well.
The fascination of seeing things going around in circles...
starts at a young age when staring at the washing machine spin!
Thanks for sharing your great video of an awesome race. Looking forward to next year and hopefully getting back to the big race and show!
Dad and I used to go every year. Ironically, we are from Grass Valley to boot! Haven't been in years, but my goosebumps are just as large! Love those sounds!
I don't care if it's a car, aircraft or boat, nothing beats the tearing-silk sound of a V-12 at full rip.
Wow, such anger. maybe you need to lay off the Red Bull, Sport.
5:00 on the beginning of the first lap, Voodoo was able to pass Strega and go from 2nd to 1st place. 11:55 at the end of Lap 5 at the home pylon Strega went from 2nd place to 1st place. From what I've read elsewhere, Voodoo was leading and approaching a slower plane low and went wide and low around it. Strega was up high, held his high line and was able to make up the distance by flying an inside shorter line and then dive in for the pass.
Great coverage of an outstanding race. Question, it seemed you had a front row view, did you need a special pass for that. Used to go to Indy Car races and you needed special pit passes to get that close to the action.
Just a regular pit pass, and aggressive spot finding .
Thanks great video wish there was a rate Air Races all around our country.
Thanks Juan , they were threading a fine needle between earth and sky.
I got caught up in this as well cause of you. Thank you This was awesome!
Me too, I don't normally watch any racing anymore, it's become too commercialized and wastes resources. IMHO
However, this was a lot of fun to watch.
Thanks for the admirable effort trying to record an event like this with the wrong camera. The pros, other than using studio type 2/3" cameras configured for outside production (EFP - Electronic Field Production) use portable 2/3" ENG (Electronic News Gathering) cameras with longer EFP portable lenses that have remote controlled servo zoom and remote focus controls mounted on 180° tilt fluid head tripod pan handles. I've recorded the Blue Angels over San Francisco several times with my specialized ENG equipment but not often enough to become proficient in keeping proper closeup framing and focus which is an advanced skill that my extensive experience as a dance videographer helped a little but probably not as much as fast sports videographers have (for example, automotive racing). Some of the recordings done by the Australian videographers for the Historical Aviation Film Unit TH-cam channel are pretty good following high speed airplanes but some not because of failed auto-focus and auto-exposure that may have been done on the wrong cameras like large format DSLRs or DSLs that naturally have shallow depth of field, especially if not set properly for deep focus. Large format cameras are good for gathering light but they work against you for deep focus whereas the smaller format 2/3" cameras naturally have greater depth of field even with wide open aperture at medium focal lengths.
*Fantastic* and *exciting* coverage, video capturing, commentary, and editing of a *phenomenal* and *historic* Unlimited race, Juan--WOW! Thanks so much for sharing this great production and for nabbing those sleek shots of Rare Bear (my fave)! Too bad it's hung up in divorce court, literally, and some say will be up for sale! Want to race the fastest prop-driven bird on the planet hmmm?! Check with Jeni first! ;-) Thanks much again, Juan, Jeni, Julianne, and Pete!
Thanks Juan
Juan , I was looking for you all weekend , I saw you in the c-130 cockpit but missed you coming out, didn't see you again. When I got home and going through my pictures you was standing right in front of me for the gold jet race. Love your videos.
Long time subsciber to your channel Juan and attended this yrs race as well, want to say you out did yourself outstanding job from a sailing Adv riding aviation nut. Your almost ready to quit your day job.
Fantastic nail biter. Pete called it.
Thanks from Thailand...
lol.... you had me yelling at the computer screen!
me too!!!
Loving these Juan!!!!!!! Thank you 😊
That was amazing. Heart stopping was the appropriate choice of words Juan.
Also, wonderful plug for your new Steady-Cam camera there, better than I can do with my Unsteady-sometimes-lens-covered-by-finger camera work. Hey if I take enough pictures, chip can hold 3,200 pics now, eventually I'll have a few keepers, heh heh.
I was already choked up by the race (heart in throat)-- then, nice use of 'Fanfare' to finish me off. Thanks for a great presentation!
Oh wow!!!... I've been going to the Air races since 1991. Unfortunately missed the last 6 years...... many great Rare Bear vs. Strega, or Dago Red, or September Fury moments. All amazing.... Most lead changes were early in the race or someone blew an engine which determined the winner...... Never has there been a Neck and neck with the final pass on the final Lap in the Gold Race.... that was was intense!!! And it was two Mustangs!!!!
2014 was Neck and neck, with a damn near photo finish...th-cam.com/video/S_4BUvGU8co/w-d-xo.htmlm37s
Blancolirio, Good job on this video. Talk about what is going on and show it! Music was right when used and the pictures and content fit to make a well produced video. Best I have seen in You Tube in a long time.
Thanks Juan, nice job, great photos too!
Hi Juan, just came across this video - P-51 is my favorite plane. Nothing better than a Mustang sound! Didn't know you were there, must've been a blast.
Great pictures and video.
That was Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the new news that 20023 will be the last year for the Reno Air races I believe this was the actual year that the races ended. While I enjoy the rest of the other fields it was the Unlimiteds that set the tone for the week. I hope I can make it this year to smell the sage and the exhaust one last time. First race was in 1989 and man how things have changed.
Nice use of "Fanfare for the Common Man" there.
Very exciting - thanks for the "ring-side" seat, Juan! Would have liked to see Voodoo retire undefeated... Lovely race though! I was thinking the same when you said it, hoping he'll decide he needs a rematch....
Hopefully Voodoo will be back next year to settle the score,
Thank you Juan!
Check out the beautiful laminar flow airfoil cross section as the wingtip goes by during roll out. That fat airfoil was the secret to success of the P-51, mostly from increased fuel capacity. Replacing the Allison engine with the Merlin made it a world beater.
Thanks Juan that was great!
Very appropriate music, Fanfare for the Common Man, with all those great still shots near the end of the video, really a professional touch there.
Stills from professional photographer Tim O'Brien.
Two of the most incredible race aircraft in the entire world what a race that was
I am just flatten to the ground.
Wonderful!
Cheers,
Mark
*****************
Seen this race as a pylon judge on outer 6, Unbelievable, I did not think strega would catch voodoo, but low and behold he did, It was once in a lifetime experience to see them come around on the 7th lap neck in neck, Unbelievable to witness that close, Those engines were screaming!
Awesome video! Thank you! Kinda sad to see Rare Bear parked. And Voodoo retiring. We all know Steve Hinton will be flying something next year! We need Precious Metal back!
Looks like Hinton has met his match in Consalvi. Hope these two keep duking it out for years to come and the Bear makes a comeback soon.
Juan. Maybe you could offer to interview both pilots online and post the video and to have both of them online at one time would be very interesting to hear their comments on the race and how they were able to pass. A split screen with you and the 2 racers, the other half with the race video.
Very cool Juan. Thanks for sharing.
The "chase" plane is preferably a little higher, or are those security procedure that ask that ? I like the show
Passing can be very dangerous is not it ? I am interested in the procedure to do so .
NICE CAMERA JOB ! THANKS
Men back in the day had some balls to fly that thing, the ones who endured that had even bigger balls.
Would have had a nice view from the B 25 cockpit! Oh well-back to the Catalina 22, plan to take mine out tomorrow, a little quieter!
Juan, what a close finish WOW. Juan I have a idea for your channel. How about a series or one time thing about a day in the life of a commercial airline pilot, like the nuts and bolts of what you go through. Starting with the weather, preflight, etc. I for one would really enjoy that, and I think a lot of your viewers would also. just a thought, take care.
Good Idea! I've been wanting to do this too, but I work at a giant corporation...and I'd have to get all kinds of permissions to film while at work...
Well you never know till you ask, might be good will for the airlines with the cost of the tickets.
We could petition for permission???
Fantastic video !!!!!
That was totally awesome!
All you can say is WOW !
Great video ! Missed out on a ride in a P-51... Waiting for the SNC Dream Chaser to start flying and land gently at a Spaceport near you ! Was at the EAA once in Wisconsin... Thank you for the video ! tjl
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING GETS ME PUMPED LIKE UNLIMITEDS..THE BEST OF PEOPLE TOO!!
Love that sound. Just a few more weeks
The results might have different if only Strega and Voodoo were on the course. Both were required to pass other airplanes moving 80-100mph slower which is extremely dangerous and interferes with staying on the throttle and moving full speed.
They came to Denver, Colorado several years ago, but they weren't able to sustain the tour to come back another time.
I was there too, was a great race and all I have to say is - Strega!!!!!!!!!!!
I think 2017 might have been the pinnacle for the Unlimited class and what a way to top out .
That was great - thanks for sharing.
Robert Gandt has a good book that’s a bit dated now “Fly Low, Fly Fast” that’s a pretty interesting look into the behind the scenes stories of the racers from the start in 64? to the 90s.
We're down to ~173 airworthy Mustangs - but they're made to fly.
If I were a billionaire, I’d donate to keep these legendary machines flying. Just incredible to hear their engines roar
Will they still be racing these planes when they're 100 yrs old? It's time for another purpose built Unlimited. Try the Pond Racer again with better engines- maybe even turbo props.
Good 'ole drag race is what that was!
Just plane AWESOME !
I wonder. Watching on film (OK not really film) does not really give so great a feeling. I wonder if, for the entertainment of spectators it would be possible to receive a data stream of what is going on with each aircraft while it is in flight? (we are living in the era of information) This sure would add another interesting component to racing. OK I know teams do not like sharing this data but it would be interesting to know what those cockpit instruments are displaying during a race.
Yes! Like they do so well at the Red Bull air races.
Thanks Juan! What a race!!
There should be more promotion of this sport with internet live streaming and each plane should have 6-8 cameras on on board. Internet live streaming allows the entire world to watch.
Unless there was a way to mount the camera aerodynamically, there is no way anyone would consider it.
Plus, who would want too cut holes in the wing(s) to allow it?
Indy Cars and NASCARS have done it and look how much it has added to those sports. Have the racers design it and all you need is 1/2 inch hole for the wiring. Think of all the valuable video you could get from it.
I would agree that the two fastest racers in the world just competed neck to neck...!!!
Didn't Voodoo lay down a 554+ mph pass recently? Or was that non official. One heartstopper of a race, and awesome sound!
Juan, thanks for posting, otherwise I would of missed this. And thanks to your friend Tim too for the pylon shots!!! What is the elevation there at Reno and any guess as to the average temp during race days? Best regards, Bob
About 5000' and in the 80's (F)
Wow what a race. I watched the live stream of several races saturday and yesterday. but the best race was the final unlimited gold. I found it interesting that both Strega and Voodoo engines where built at the same shop to a tune of 130,000 each. I was surprised how squirly the bi planes looked landing. Have a couple of questions what are the big generator looking carts they use to help start the unlimiteds. Do all the planes in the unlimited class have to be p51 or can you run another type of plane in the unlimiteds? Juan another great video as usual must say I have really enjoyed your channel since I found it last winter during the dam Crisis.
Nash: The start cart is used to minimize use of batteries in the plane i.e. weight. Any military plane may be flown and races have often included F4U's, F8F, SeaFury, etc.
Nash: The P-51 tends to predominate because it has a low drag 'laminar flow" wing and smaller frontal area (drag) compared to aircraft with radial engines. Now, if there were a competition that involved low speed flight and maneuverability, we would see a lot of navy planes and few P-51's. Grin!
Thanks pelican for answering my questions and clearing things up for me
WOW ! That was great !!
Got so many Q,s - Whats the distance for 1 lap ?
The lower fly planes - Are they using the technique of birds { Seagulls ? Albatross etc } by using the compressed air agianst the surface to gain a tiny bit more speed ?
Really enjoyed that blanco ! - Thanks
More details soon...
TimW: No they are not using ground effect.
Thanks Pelican - For your reply _ One other thing - Dose " Heat " play a roll in this too { Higher being cooler = less rise ? }
Lower being thicker air ? More " Grip so to say " ?
7.91 miles and they was doing it in 59 seconds ,that is 482+ mph.
What a race!
I wonder how much the surface finish on the props affects the overall performance and speed?
Drastically! One fleck of dust can lose a race!
chrome makes everything faster didn't you know? JK lol.
Sad to see the old airframes retiring.
Really good video. I was there too. Great gold race!
good race
damn im glad i went this year, it was my first year and im glad i saw those 2 fly
I would love to see A-10 Warthogs set up to race since they are still are a pilots plane. would be interesting to see one fly without the weight of the gun, ammo and all the armor.
C7997: Well it is kind of pointless. The A-10 is not a fast aircraft and is limited by its straight wings and high drag. Nothing much to be learned or gained. Maneuverability is not much of a factor in this racing. shrug.
Maybe keep the guns on the Warthog and add targets on the course they have to obliterate along the way. Everyone likes to see stuff blowed up!
You might be onto something there Carl.
Add a time penalty for each target not destroyed!
The only problem would be where to safely put the targets..... ;)
splendid match and video, mustang are the best!!!!!
Great shots.😀 That's no baabaablack sheep!
Juan...awesome footage!
Can I get your email address? I live in Mojave, a block off the airport. I've got close up pics of Stratolaunch and recent Virgin galactic glide test. I RESEARCHED 2017 KTM 250 exc-f.....and your video popped up. Been subscribed ever since.
Wayne Rowley juanbrowne@yahoo.com
blancolirio I sent you pics and videos ...did you receive them?
Yep, way cool!
Are spotters used to tell the pilots what's happening behind them?
not really. sometimes pit crew members communicate with the pilots...though they are very busy and best left to work it out solo.
blancolirio Thank you.
Depends on which team, but for the top Gold contenders, absolutely. Typically, there is one person in direct contact with the pilot (normally the crew chief), who lets him know race position and telemetry status. Helps the pilot concentrate on what he needs to do, rather than watch gauges and worry about position.