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This page I will dedicate to the Unlimited Class Racer Lovers with pictures of the Unlimiteds of past and present, some of which are tragically lost forever.This isn't intended to be a memorial, but as a celebration of the thrills and spectacular sights and sounds that the Reno Air Races have become so famous for. These pictures are sure to bring back memories for some and will give some historical perspective to others, (maybe). There are a few pictures that represent the same aircraft in different paint schemes, and in some cases flown by different pilots. I will try to be accurate in my rambling to identify those changes. Also credit will be given for photos taken by my longtime friend "Fed X" Bob Miller. The first three aircraft in this section represent the participants in 1991, what to this very day has been the fastest Gold race run at the Reno Races. "Rare Bear", with Lyle Shelton, "Strega" with Tiger Destefani, and "Tsunami" with Steve Hinton at the controls, were nose to tail in that order at the finish, and throughout most of the race, certain to be the most exciting race for the gold for a long time, I believe. "Rare Bear" finished at a record 481.618, with "Strega" and "Tsunami" busting the record as well.
These are pictures of my personal favorite, "Strega". The aircraft
is a proven champion with Bill,"Tiger" Destafani at the throttle. This particular plane was
out of the box in "83", as a sister to "Dago Red", the Unlimited Gold Champion in 1982, (who
won out of the box). Ron Hevle got the honors of first race in both aircraft. Although it took some time for "Strega" to show her stuff, (Unlimited Gold
winner in 1987. Oddly enough, the same year I met and married another winner, Martha, my wife),
through alot of development and patience, "Strega" has become a perennial favorite to face down
"Rare Bear" for the Gold. Although there are not many changes to her good looks, Team Strega
always has her in top shape.There was one try at a radical propeller blade development, but
as I recall, it had teething problems that were not to be overcome. Don't know if there will be
another try. Strega has proven to be a multiple winner of the Gold and will again, I hope. Maybe
this year, who knows? After Rare Bear and Strega missed last year's show, this year promises a
renewal of the rivalry. Then throw Voodoo and Miss Ashley II into the mix. I can't wait!!
Tsunami was certainly one of the most interesting as well as successful
entries of the last decade. As a true homebuilt, Tsunami was reminiscent of the Cleveland years, (or
Golden Years to some purists), of air racing. Although she was configured somewhat like a Mustang,
with radiator scoop on the bottom, there were few original Mustang parts involved in her construction.
John Sandberg brought Tsunami to Reno in 1986. Steve Hinton, winner in the Red Baron and Super Corsair,
got the honor of flying her in her first race. As time went on, after some development work, Tsunami
became a force to be taken with the utmost seriousness. And in 1991, became part of a fearsome threesome
that really shattered the race record.
Unfortunately, Tsunami was lost with her owner, John Sandberg,
in a non-racing accident. The aircraft was being ferried home after the races, when control was lost
during final approach to an airport in South Dakota for a fuel stop. This was one of the tragic losses
suffered by the Racing Community over the last decade. A gifted person in J.R.Sandberg, and a wonderful,
and beautiful aircraft that was Tsunami, are not replaced, nor are they forgotten by racing enthusiasts.
The red paint scheme was the final, and in my opinion, most attractive.
1999 NEWS ITEM (Please Click on the picture of Miss Ashley II for official news release of the accident
that destroyed this beautiful aircraft and took the life of Gary Levitz, pilot).
Compared side by side, a person not intimately familiar with this realm of motorsports, might think they
are the same aircraft, or at least of the same heritage. There are some similarities to be sure. The main
differences are, one was built on an assembly line in the "40's", and one was built from scratch in a shop in
the early part of the "90's".One is all-aluminum monocoque construction and one has a great deal of exotic,
lightweight, yet strong materials in her construction, as well as a wing and horizontal stabilizer from a Lear Jet. One has a Merlin V-12 motor with a four blade Hamilton
Standard prop, and one has a Griffon V-12, (both designed by Rolls Royce), with a (Dowty Rotol I think),
contra-rotating, (that means two props, one turning clockwise and one turning counter-clockwise), propeller.
One sounds like a screaming demon and one sounds like pure, high RPM power. We will see in just a few short days
what the "OFF-SEASON", (what a horrible thought), has wrought, in terms of improvements, in Miss "A" (II).
Going back in time, we will discuss one truly
unique, and very exciting sight that has been sorely missed the last couple of years. The "Pond Racer" was lost
a couple of years ago in an accident during qualifying. A great pilot, Rick Brickert, was lost to the Air Racing
family when the engines caught on fire, and in an attempt to put it down, the aircraft was destroyed and Rick was
killed in the impact. The aircraft had been prone to this type of fire event, and alot of work had gone into the
solving of this problem, late into the night on the ramp at Reno.
Unfortunately, it was not to be. The design was a concept of Bob Pond and built by Burt Rutan, (obvious to most
enthusiasts). The power was developed from a pair of Nissan Racing automotive V-6 motors, the sound, one that
this writer nor anyone else who heard it at full tilt, will never forget. No sound was heard like this before,
or since. This was supposed to be the shape of things to come and the future of unlimited Air Racing. There
have been some attempts at true scratch built racers and with the arrival on the scene of the Pond Racer, Tsunami
and Miss Ashley, the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, that this approach may be successful. There is a movement
afoot, (and actually has been for some time), to return some of the modified Mustangs and other warbirds to their original configuration, and
save them from the dangers of destruction for all time in the Air Racing world. Some would even have these beautiful
flying machines put in museums for static display, never to fly again. Yes, it is true that a few have been lost over
the years, and it is sad when it happens. It doesn't just happen at the races, (reference Oshkosh 99). Several famous
racing aircraft, that have been instrumental in the increase in popularity of Air Racing, have in the last few years,
been returned to their former incarnations. It makes me sad to see "Sumthin Else", (John Crocker's NCAR Winner) and
"Stilleto"
another highly modified NCAR Gold winner, gone from the scene at Reno.
I respect the attempt to save the Mustangs for posterity, but there should be respect for the Air Race community to
bring these modified racers to Reno until they can be replaced by the likes of the Pond Racer. Then, I think it incumbent
upon the the Air Race community to save these prior winners for posterity in a NCAR museum WHEN THEY ARE TOO TIRED TO
RACE ANYMORE. Has a museum been considered? I don't know. It's an idea.It will take years and money for sure.
