Reno Air Races

[John Little]

14 Sept 2007: no further racing today

In memory of fallen friends, and to review procedures and systems, the racing classes will stand down today - there will be no further racing. However, our air show performers will provide a full afternoon of exciting aviation. We expect to resume racing Saturday and Sunday - there may be significant alterations to the published schedules.

Those who lost their lives, and we we care for, and send our deepest sympathies to their friends and families:

Brad Morehouse of Afton Wyoming - L-39 Albatross Jet Racer
Steve Dari of Lemon Grove, California - Biplane
Gary Hubler of Caldwell, Idaho - Formula One Racer

Injured and we send our thoughts out to for quick and full recovery:

Jason Somes of Simi Valley, California - Formula One
(2) Pylon Judges in the Event of the Formula One Races

These folks either died, or were injured in the pursuit of their dreams, and their passion for flying. This is a dangerous sport, but holds a fantastic record for safety over the years.

Keep them in your thoughts.

John Little

[Doug Robertson]

John, Jason Somes is well known in southern California with his AT-6D 'Miss Universe' of Jason Racing and he is an officer of the Southern California Wing of the CAF at Camarillo, flying their Bearcat and Zero. He keeps his TEXAN hangared at SZP. I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

Update: 15 Sept. Jason Somes' Formula One racer was apparently struck from behind by Gary Hubler's aircraft, causing Somes' canopy to come off and strike Somes in the face. The accident was fatal to Hubler. Somes suffered deep facial cuts and an eye injury. "Jason's incredible piloting skills saved his life," said Ken Gottschall of Oxnard, a pilot and long time friend. "There were huge pieces of his aircraft missing," Gottschall said. Somes also had some scrapes, cuts and was sore, but is expected to be released from the hospital Sunday or Monday, according the The Star newspaper report. The paper further stated "Somes began racing about four or five years ago, finishing third place in Gold Formula One at Reno 2005, among other accomplishments. He raced in a plane that reached a top speed of 240.2 mph in that win....".

The Formula One engines are Continental O-200s of original/nominal 100 horsepower rating at 2,750 rpm, but turn up to 4,500 rpm in racing with cut down length special props and other tweaks.
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PP ASEL