One More Air Race in 2008

[Bob Axsom]

The last Air Race of 2008 will be held on November 22 in Taylor, Texas (near Austin). There are two classes for RVs, Blue (360 cu in) and Red (320 cu in). Mike Thompson and I are entered in the Blue class but there are currently no Red entries - of course it's early. Check the full list of classes at www.sportairrace.org under Mission and the latest entry list, race course description and rules under Calendar of Events and Rocket 100. I think Mark Frederick is the organizer and since he is the F1 Rocket Boss and that is why it is called the Rocket 100. Wayne Hadath has committed to fly his F1 Rocket from Canada to participate.

Bob Axsom

[f1rocket]

I believe Mark has about 7-9 Rockets coming down. Don't know if all will enter the race. I timed last year's race and it was fun, but I can't make it down this year. Mark does host a great cook out so if you can go, you should!

[Bob Axsom]

Mark that must have been terribly disappointing flying all the way to Taylor, Texas earlier in the year only to have the race cancelled by weather. Maybe things will be better this time.

Bob Axsom

[JDRhodes]

Hey Bob -

How do we get a race in North Georgia? Looks like a lot of fun. I'd help put one on if there are any interested RVers (or others) around here...

[Bob Axsom]

Mike Thompson is the director and founder of the Sport Air Racing League. It is only two years old but it has sanctioned 15 - 20 races. His contact information is at www.sportairrace.org. I would certainly come to Georga for a race.

Bob Axsom

[Bob Axsom]

I just got back home from Kansas City and checked the entry list. There were three SARL (Sport Air Raceing League - www.sportairrace.org) grand championship trophies awarded last year and Chris Murphy and I are tied for the third place award this year. A week or so ago I checked and if there is one this year, I saw that Chris was not going to make the last race so I thought I had it in the bag. Then I saw recently that "The Nuisance" (John Huft in his super fast RV-8) has entered with Mike Thompson and I in the RV Blue Class. That automatically pushes me down at least one place in the race (from 100 pts down to 80) but not to worry, Chris isn't coming so I will finish 80 or 60 points ahead of him. I just checked today's update and I see that Chris IS coming. OH ME! But wait, Cam Benton must have fixed his canopy and has also entered the last race in the RV Red Class. If I can manage 2nd over Mike (a 50-50 possibility) and Cam beats Chris, I'm still tied with Chris. This is getting exciting.

Bob Axsom

The following racers have registered for the
Rocket 100 Air Race as of 4 November, 2008:

Race # Name Aircraft Class

Race 74 Duncan Sutherland SX300 "Shadow" Sport
Race 79 Jim Robinson Glasair III Sport

Race 14 Wayne Hadath F1 Rocket "Little Bit" Sport FX

Race 51 Rick Pellicciotti Long EZ RG RG Red

Race 18 John Huft RV-8 "Nuisance" RV Blue
Race 26 Mike Thompson RV-6 "El Lento" RV Blue
Race 71 Bob Axsom RV-6A "Blue Bird" RV Blue

Race 41 Cam Benton RV-4 RV Red
Race 34 Chris Murphy RV-4 "Mister Twister" RV Red

Race 729 Chester Jurskis Bonanza S35 "Trixie" FAC1RG

Race 77 Jim Huff Bonanza "Whatabeech" FAC2RG

Race 448 Jim Porter Cirrus SR-20 "Plane Jane" FAC3FX

Race 112 Stu Morse Grumman AA5B "Tiger Lily" FAC4FX

[jthocker]

Hey Bob
Since I've exhausted all the sensible mods, I guess I should get into racing with you. I went to Reno for the first time this year and caught the bug.
Is there a list of races for next year yet?
Best regards

[Bob Axsom]

Mike Thompson organized and and holds everything together through his www.sportairrace.org website. You have to open the page and ckick on Calendar of Events. Sometime in the next few months a growing list of races will start appearing. There is a list of racers that are members of the Sport Air Racing League and there is a path through the home page where you can join as well. There is no charge. You can request a race number and if he can Mike will assign it to you. If it is not available you and he will agree on some number that is available. You do not have to be a member to participate in the races but you do have to be a member to earn points toward the championship. This year races were scheduled for Taylor 100, Texas in the spring (100 miles);Texhoma 100, Texas; Big Country Air Fest Race Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas; BigCap 200, Wichita, Kansas; Colorado 150, Denver, Colorado; AirVenture Cup, Mitchell, South Dakota; Denton Air Race, Grace Flight air race, Sherman, Texas; Memphis 100, Tennessee; Rocket 100, Taylor Texas (November 22, 2008 you can get in this one yet). Mike Thompson is the man to talk to that can give you the straight story. He can also tell you what he has shaping up.

I know the feeling and it is a great experience with a great bunch of pilots.

Bob Axsom

[Christopher Murphy]

Hello Bob,

I hadn't realized that there was a trophy to be won or a chance to win it. There is about a 10 percent chance that I will make the race in Taylor. I have a trip on the next day that I can't get out of, so good weather has to assured for me to fly down there. Mike says Cam Benton is bringing his -4 to race so it would be fun to see how he matches up with "Mister Twister"

I flew home from Memphis over your neck of the woods.....what a pretty part of the country!

Good luck in the race.

Chris Murphy RACE34

[Bob Axsom]

Chris I sincerely hope you can make it. It should be a grand event.

Bob Axsom