2009 Pylon Racing Seminar, Stead NV

[FLYBOYJ]

This week I attended the 2009 Pylon Racing Seminar at Stead NV. This is basically the "school" new-be race pilots get certified to race their planes in the Sept. National Air Races. Mike Mangold once again asked be to crew him so I met him there along with my trusty fellow crewmember Mike Kvasnik of Wildomar Ca. For us this was a dress rehearsal of what we may do in September. Things are a little up in the air for the team. Mike may have Red Bull commitments so our over all participation is up in the air but we're staying very optimistic about competing. Jet, sport, formula and unlimiteds showed up. I didn't have that much time to take as many pictures as I wanted as my goal is to keep our plane operating.

We ran very well. Had a few laps posted between 506 and 515 MPH. We are definitely in the running and if we get to Reno this year, there are some surprises coming we hope will put us in the winner's circle.

Crewing an aviation celebrity did bring the media out as you could see.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

We had a 2 seat Vampire join us and the owner is planning to race this year. On Thursday we had one of the L39s experience a landing gear problem and upon landing blew his two main tires and skidded off the runway. No injuries to plane or pilot and they were back in the air the next day.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

The biggest surprise was to have TWO P-40s show up!! I took a ton of pictues of these planes that I will post later. I'm not sure if they are planning to race in September, but these guys are basically stock and will probably sandbag it in the silver division of the unlimiteds

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Hinton Jr. was there with Strega but I couldn't get any pictures. Did have a few other surprises!

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Hell of a week!!!!

 

[evangilder]

Great stuff, Joe. I wish I could have been there.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Great stuff! You are one lucky guy to be able to take part in this.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Thanks guys, it was a blast - wish I could see some of you guys at the Sept. races (if we make it).

 

[Gnomey]

Great stuff Joe! Looks like an excellent week. Best of luck for Reno this year.

 

[Matt308]

Oh man I look forward to your pics. The P-40s look great. Any info on who owned them?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Matt AFAIK they belong to the museum at Chino

 

[ccheese]

Good Job, Joe. We're hoping the plane make it to the races.

Charles

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Thanks Charles!

 

[sabrina]

Wow...amazing. Would love to be there, taking part.