For those missing their annual dose of wing-to-wing pylon air racing last month, the Sport Class has the cure scheduled October 19 and 20 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Yes, the Sport Class ran exhibition races in Las Cruces last year, but this year is the real deal. Insurance has been obtained and three race courses vetted by the FAA for up to 425 mph speeds. This makes the event the first unrestricted air race since the demise of Reno one year ago and marks a new start for the sport.
The races will run as part of the Las Cruces Air & Space Expo, which runs Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20. The Sport Class air racers qualify in three heats on Friday, October 18 but that date is closed to the public for insurance reasons. Bronze, Silver and Sport Class Unlimited heat races are open to the public on Saturday, with finals running Sunday.
It will be interesting to see the speeds posted during qualifying. These are the first official, unrestricted qualifying laps ever on the new 8-mile course, so there will be that extra incentive to set a hard-to-beat record right out of the box.
A good slate of Sport racers are expected; leaders Andrew Findlay and Tom McNerney are confirmed to attend, with Jeff LaVelle might show in his P-51 as he says he’s taking a year off from pylon racing. Peter Balmer is scheduled with #44, another seriously fast Super Legacy, while Sean Van Hatten is running a Long EZE for this event. George Catallano is flying #77, a Super Legacy new to air racing. Class president Tim Slater is running his naturally-aspirated Glasair. In all up to 10 Legacys and Glasairs are expected in the fast heats.
Andrew Findlay is bringing hot fuel and thus could turn a 400 mph lap speed in qualifying, so he’s the expected front runner, but competition should be a real dog fight behind him in the 350-380 mph range.
On the aerobatic side, Red Bull Air Race World Champion Kirby Chambliss is headlining an otherwise set of regional acts.
Admission is free with pre-registration, or $5 at the door. For those flying in, the event is at KLRU, Las Cruces International Airport.
For more information see: https://lcairandspace.com
