Slim RV entry list

[Bob Axsom]

The RV entry list for the Memphis 100 on October 27 looks slim (two in the RV Blue Class and one in the RV Red Class). I would have expected more from this geographic location. Otherwise this 100 mile short cross country race looks good. Several F1 Rockets including one coming in from Canada. All of the classes are defined at www.sportairrace.org. I plan to have my RV-6A there in the RV Blue class (360 cu. in.) in short race form - new 3" wing tips and tip tanks removed. Maybe It will get up to 176 kts - it could happen. The promo says spectators are welcome and the race will start and end at M01, Gen D. Spain airport (right by the mighty Mississippi just north of town).

The following racers have registered for the Memphis 100 as of 15 September, 2007:


Race # Name Aircraft Class
Race 007 Rene' Dugas Turbo Legend Unlimited
Race 29 Jack Morrison E Racer MK II Unlimited
Race 74 Duncan Sutherland SX300 Sport
Race 09 Tom Martin EVO Rocket Sport FX
Race 25 Bill Snapp RV-8A Sport FX
Race 32 Howard Rhodes F1 Rocket Sport FX
Race 33 Jeff Linebaugh F1 Rocket Sport FX
Race 47 Bill Hibbing Glasair IIS FT Sport FX
Race 52 Don Saint Glasair IIS FT Sport FX
Race 86 Gene Holcomb F1 Rocket Sport FX
Race 13 James Redmon Berkut 360 RG Blue
Race 51 Rick Pellicciotti Long EZ RG RG Red
Race 26 Mike Thompson RV-6 RV Blue
Race 71 Bob Axsom RV-6A RV Blue
Race 41 Cam Benton RV-4 RV Red
Race 91 Bruce Hammer Glasair I TD FX Blue
Race 06 Jim Hogue Mustang II FX Red
Race 22 Sam Hoskins Quickie Q200 Sprint

Bob Axsom

[rv6ejguy]

Bob,

What are the rules with regards to displacement classification for turbocharged engines?

I'm thinking of prepping and modifying my Sube powered -6A for cross country races sometime in the future.

[Bob Axsom]

I copied the class information from the website http://www.sportairrace.org below. Membership in the SARL is free and the website is basically open to anyone (there is a small members only section). From what I have experienced so far if a race organizer gets a SARL sanction they must provide the opportunity for every class to race. I do not know what the displacement of your engine will be but depending on that the most likely classes would be Formula: RV-T Red or blue or UNLIMITED if the engine displacement is over 360 cu. in.

The Race Classes

UNLIMITED Any Experimental Category aircraft with a turbocharged engine with a displacement of 1400 cubic inches or less. Class winners in both Fixed and Retractable gear.

SPORT CLASS Any Experimental Category aircraft with a normally aspirated engine with a displacement of 1000 cubic inches or less.

SPORT FX Any Experimental Category aircraft with 550 cubic inch displacement normally aspirated with Fixed Landing Gear for RV-10s, F-1 Rocket, Harmon Rocket II etc.

FORMULA RG Blue Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 360 cubic inches or less, normally aspirated, with retractable landing gear.

FORMULA RG-T Blue Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 360 cubic inches or less, turbocharged, with retractable landing gear.

FORMULA RG Red Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 320 cubic inches or less, normally aspirated, with retractable landing gear. FORMULA RG-T Red Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 320 cubic inches or less, turbocharged, with retractable landing gear.

FORMULA FX Blue Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 360 cubic inches or less, normally aspirated, with at least two fixed landing gear.

FORMULA FX-T Blue Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 360 cubic inches or less, turbocharged, with at least two fixed landing gear.

FORMULA FX Red Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 320 cubic inches or less, normally aspirated, with at least two fixed landing gear.

FORMULA FX-T Red Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 320 cubic inches or less, turbocharged, with at least two fixed landing gear.

FORMULA RV Blue Open to Van's aircraft RV-3, RV-4, RV-6, RV-6A, RV-7, RV-7A, RV-8, RV-8A, RV-9, and RV-9A airplanes powered with an engine of 360 cubic inches or less, normally aspirated.

FORMULA RV-T Blue Open to Van's aircraft RV-3, RV-4, RV-6, RV-6A, RV-7, RV-7A, RV-8, RV-8A, RV-9, and RV-9A airplanes powered with an engine of 360 cubic inches or less, turbocharged.

FORMULA RV Red Open to Van's aircraft RV-3, RV-4, RV-6, RV-6A, RV-7, RV-7A, RV-8, RV-8A, RV-9, and RV-9A airplanes powered with an engine of 320 cubic inches or less, normally aspirated.

FORMULA RV-T Red Open to Van's aircraft RV-3, RV-4, RV-6, RV-6A, RV-7, RV-7A, RV-8, RV-8A, RV-9, and RV-9A airplanes powered with an engine of 320 cubic inches or less, turbocharged.

SPRINT CLASS Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 240 cubic inches or less, normally aspirated.

SPRINT-T CLASS Any Experimental Category aircraft with an engine displacement of 240 cubic inches or less, turbocharged.

SPORSTMAN Any Experimental Category aircraft using a VW or Corvair normally aspirated engine conversion

SPORSTMAN-T Any Experimental Category aircraft using a VW or Corvair turbocharged engine conversion

FAC1 Normally Aspirated Twins

FAC1-T Turbo Normalized Twins

FAC2 250-360 HP, Normally Aspirated

FAC2-T 250-360 HP, Turbo Normalized

FAC3 150-225 HP, Normally Aspirated

FAC3-T 150-225 HP, Turbo Normalized

FAC4 100HP and below, Normally Aspirated

FAC4-T 100HP and below, Turbo Normalized

[rv6ejguy]

Thanks Bob, looks like I could go in RV-T Red or Sprint-T with my puny 134 cubic inch turbo.

[rv6ejguy]

After looking at the Sportairrace site, this looks like fun. Robbie Attaway appears to have a very fast RV with the Whirlwind prop.

Timing is done by GPS it appears. Is it brakes off until touchdown or some sort of flyby?

[Christopher Murphy]

If I can get the time off and cover the logistics I plan to enter RACE 34 in the Memphis 100. Has anyone defined the course yet?

[grobdriver]

Hi Ross,

Regarding the start for the Memphis 100, it will be an air start per the docs at:
http://sportairrace.org/id132.html

We encourage air starts to prevent over-enthusiastic race pilots trying to turn on course before sufficient airpspeed is gained, or from doing anything else they wouldn't otherwise.
Safety and fun are the primary goals of any SARL race. If you happen to place, all the better!

- Mike

[Bob Axsom]

Originally Posted by Christopher Murphy

If I can get the time off and cover the logistics I plan to enter RACE 34 in the Memphis 100. Has anyone defined the course yet?

The course is now posted after steping through the Calender of Events, Memphis 100 Air Race, Memphis 100 Info and finally Memphis 100 Course. There is supposed to be a drawing there but neither of my computers can display it. The description below the blank drawing is complete and clear so the drawing isn't really necessary.

Basically, each racer will depart the General Dewitt Spain [M01] airport (fastest plane first - estimated - to minimize on course passing) and fly to a point defined as 35 deg.9.60 minutes N and 90 deg. 7.06 minutes west. I plotted this on the Memphis sectional and it falls near a 745 (525)ft. obstruction. My guess is the start timers will be there and the pre race briefing will tell us to fly at some altitude and position relative to that obstruction, which is on the west side of the river in Arkansas and below the 1,800 ft floor of the Memphis Class B in that area. It is about 4 nm SSW from M01.

The clock starts there and you turn right on a mag. course of 292 deg for 33.6 nm to a small "R in a circle" airport called Lawrence Gliderport. The course description identifies it as 4AR5 but that doesn't show up on the sectional

At Lawrence you turn right on a mag. course of 062 deg. for 41 nm to an airport called Osceola Muni [7M4].

At Osceola Muni turn right again on a mag. course of 185 degrees for 29.5 nm back to the General Dewitt Spain [M01] airport and a 1,000 ft MSL pass down the runway finish.

You will be flying against Cam Benton from Lubbuck, TX at this point. It would be good to get some more RVs in there.

Bob Axsom

[N941WR]

If they had a 300 CI or less class, I would join in but I don't think my O-290 will run with the Big Dogs.

[Bob Axsom]

Originally Posted by N941WR

If they had a 300 CI or less class, I would join in but I don't think my O-290 will run with the Big Dogs.

Right now there is only one entry in the RV Red Class (320 ci and under). That is Cam Benton who has a hot RV-4. Chris Murphy also has a hot RV-4 and he is working on the logistics to allow him to enter. If you enter and complete the course you would get a significant number of Sport Air Race League (SARL) points plus an exciting life experience. You will see some interesting airplanes and people.

For example I just checked the entry list and it has increased by one today with the addition of the second Hammer brother. I do not know the story but it is inspiring to see #73 and #91 Glasair I tail draggers and their banner "Hammer Brothers Racing Team" at a race site. I had a younger brother who was a pilot and an A&P mechanic that died 12 years ago before we were able to enjoy anything like that. I don't even know them but what they are doing makes me feel good. And you want to talk about hot airplanes - these guy's are smoking!

I think you will really enjoy the experience if you decide to come and participate or spectate. If you do fly your plane in the race it will be something that will set your plane apart from all of the other airplanes that have never competed in a race. From your post I think you might like that.

I would like to see your airplane and see how well it performs with the O-290.

Bob Axsom