aviation

of 402.716mph (648.108km/h), reportedly

the second-fastest time ever in the Sport

category, and only the second time it

has been won with a speed of more than

400mph (644km/h).

In the Gold Unlimited race, four out of

the top six spots went to Sea Fury aircraft

customised by Sanders Aeronautics of Ione,

California. Flying Sea Fury T.20 Dreadnought

for the company was Joel Swager, who

never saw the back of another competitor’s

aircraft during the entire week, except for the

pace plane and those he lapped.

Other newsworthy items according to

Logoteta included Justin Meaders winning

the Gold Formula One race in his Snoshoo

SR-1, Limitless in only his second time

competing at the event. John Lohmar won

the T-6 category for the second year in a

row, while Nick Macy was racing for the

30th time at Reno in T-6G Six Cat.

There was also the appearance of a P-63

Kingcobra, Pretty Polly ( own by Jim Dale) –

the  rst time in decades one of the type has

taken part.

Although high winds forced the

cancellation and postponement of some

races on Wednesday September 12 and the

following Saturday, the event is estimated to

have attracted more than 112,000 visitors –

similar to last year.

The Reno Air Races is a famous name in

the aviation world: as a  rst-time attendee I

had high hopes for the event and it certainly

didn’t disappoint. I’ll be back!

GOLD RACE WINNERS

Class Name Number Aircraft Name Aircraft Type

Unlimited Gold Champ Joel Swager No.8 Dreadnought Sea Fury T.20

Jet Gold Champ Mike Steiger No.5 American Spirit L-39 Albatros

Sport Gold Champ Andrew Findlay No.30 One Moment Lancair Legacy 2000

T-6 Gold Champ John Lohmar No.88 Radial Velocity SNJ-5

Formula One Gold Champ Justin Meaders No.34 Limitless Snoshoo SR-1

Biplane Gold Champ Andrew Buehler No.62 Phantom Modi ed Mong Sport

Top: Mike P eger rounds Pylon 8

in Miss Informed, an AT-6C wearing

RAF markings.

Above: Mike Steiger emerged

triumphant in the Jet category,  ying

L-39C American Spirit.

Below: A heat of six T-6s approach

the starting pylon.

50 Aviation News incorporating Jets November 2018