2007 Reno Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar
Posted by: Ryan, July 29, 2007
“Gentlemen, you have a race” is the famous phrase that starts the races at the Reno Air Races every September at Reno/Stead Field in Northern Nevada. Before some pilots can hear that famous phrase though, they need to learn how to race safely, learn the course, and what to do in case of an emergency. After they do that, they will be certified to race in September
So each year in June, the Reno Air Racing Association holds the Pylon Racing Seminar, which helps train new race pilots and give veterans a refresher and/or time to make sure their planes are running the way they will want them to in September. It is a 3-4 day event in which the pilots will learn on the ground and in the air. Each day begins with a briefing, then the flying begins.
There are six classes of aircraft, and each gets it’s own time on course, although the Formula One and Bi-Plane classes may be on course at the same time. The pilots are taught how to start, pass, mayday, and the best ways to fly their plane on the course.
It also is a great event for some media photographers to learn the ropes and practice for September. You get to go some places where you will not be able to during the actual races in September. Since the racers are learning things, they will do some things they might not do on purpose in the races, like slow down to let somebody pass, cut a pylon, or simulate an engine out. This offers some unique shots of the action.
Some of the planes that stood out during this year’s “PRS” as the organizers and racers call it, was the NXT named Relentless in the Sport Class, this sleek machine was tearing up the course like it was possessed, the T-2 Buckeye in the Jet class seemed like nothing could touch it. In the Unlimited class, September Pops and Voodoo were flying around the course the last day like it was an actual race and they looked and sounded great. The T-6 class was very bunched together and will be a great race to watch and listen to. The Formula and Bi-Plane classes also look to be very close.
If this was any hint to what we will be seeing in September, the Air Races should have another exciting race week!