Big Country Air Fest -Air Race Was Great!

[Bob Axsom]

The race was based at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. RV-6 and RV-10 builder Gray Bridwell organized the race in conjuction with his EAA Chapter for the Air Force. There were only 2 RVs in the race but that was OK Mike Thompson and I were neck and neck through the whole 150 nautical miles and it was so close I'm not sure who won. The racers were given a presentation on the C-130s and B-1 bombers based at Dyess, they were given a tour of an active B-1 and were allowed to fly the B-1 simulator. Fuel, ground transportation, food and motel rooms were provided from Friday through Saturday night. In exchange we flew our planes there and flew them hard adding another dimension to the Abilene area and Dyess AFB big show. You could sense that the Air Force really wants to be a equal partner in the community and hosting the big show is sharing something they are very proud of. We had a good time - Thanks Gray and Thanks USAF!

Bob Axsom
Race #71

[Bob Axsom]

Results copied from www.sportairrace.org below.

Bob Axsom

Aircraft Pilot Aircraft Type Class Start Time Finish
Time Elapsed
Time Speed
MPH Speed
KTS

Race 74 Duncan Sutherland SX 300 Sport 8:47:59 9:23:24 0:35:25 293.02 254.63

Race 13 James Redmon Berkut 360 RG Blue 8:48:34 9:30:20 0:41:46 248.47 215.91
Race 36 Larry Henney Lancair 360 RG Blue 8:48:13 9:28:37 0:40:24 256.87 223.22

Race 71 Bob Axsom RV-6A RV Blue 8:49:04 9:38:46 0:49:42 208.81 181.45
Race 26 Mike Thompson RV-6 RV Blue 8:49:25 9:40:18 0:50:53 203.95 177.23

Race 77 Jim Huff Bonanza N35 FAC2RG 8:49:42 9:41:50 0:52:08 199.06 172.98

Race 05 Henry Punzi Mooney M20C FAC4RG 8:52:18 9:50:47 0:58:29 177.45 154.20