Reno 2011 - Let The Races Begin! Thursday 9.15.11 (15 Pix)
Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 08:53PM 
(click pic to enlarge)
I arrived at Stead Field in Reno before the sun came up this morning (Thursday) and I had a feeling that there'd be some good stuff to see as the sun was rising. As the pic above shows, Strega was out in the smooth morning air making some beautiful music. I assume it was just a test flight, but it sure made for a great way to see the start of my first day at Reno 2011.
(click pic to enlarge)
The low-morning-sun lit the airplane up in a special way as it rolled out after landing.
(click pic to enlarge)
The first racers up in the morning a heat of biplanes and a heat of Formula One. It's a cool sight to see the teams push or pull their aircraft out of the hangars and down to the ramp. The golden morning sun makes this extra special in the mornings.
(click pic to enlarge)
No shortage of color in the Formula One class!
(click pic to enlarge)
Tom Aberle and the Phantom, an ultra highly modified Mong Sport that's definitely a little unusual looking for a bipe... but man does this thing go fast! It literally makes the other racers seem like they've dropped anchor.
(click pic to enlarge)
(click pic to enlarge)
While the biplanes and then the Formula One races took place, I worked my way down to the east side of the ramp where the NAHI (National Aviation Heritage Invitational) event takes place. I'll have more coverage of that later (there's a lot to see there!) - but this J-2 Cub really caught my eye. What a beauty : )
(click pic to enlarge)
On the way back from a run thru NAHI I saw Precious Metal being pulled around the hangars. It ended up at a wash station where it got a little cleaning. I thought it looked pretty cool seeing the airplane from way down low with the cowl off.
(click pic to enlarge)
It was still pretty early in the day and the sun was making all that Precious Metal sparkle like a jewel. The airplane ran in the last race of the day but it didn't do all that well. I don't know at the moment what that means for getting a shot at the big time... I'll update on that tomorrow. One thing is for sure tho - this is one cool looking airplane!
(click pic to enlarge)
The Thunderbirds only performed on this day, Thursday, and both the weather and the team made the most of it. It was a perfect sky of blue and clouds, and the team looked sharp and tight to me.
(click pic to enlarge)
(click pic to enlarge)
Beautiful sky and beautiful airplanes!
(click pic to enlarge)
(click pic to enlarge)
Since I have official media credentials this year I was able to make a trip out to one of the pylons to get some really great pix. I was out there for several races but I learned that I have a lot to learn about capturing nonblurred images of airplanes going 250 to 500 mph! But here are a couple to at least show you what an awesome view can be had from out there! (more later in the event)
(click pic to enlarge)
The last pic for this first Reno 2011 post is a familar one - it looks a lot like this Strega CoolPix from 2009. I thinks it's specifically significant and makes an interesting point: little has changed since 2009... Strega is still looking like it did in these last two years - it looks like the racer everyone will be chasing!
Cub, Racing, Reno, Thunderbirds, WWII, homebuilt, military Email Article
Reader Comments (5)
Thanks for the photos, Martt!
Nice work Martt, thanks.
Great blog!! Please check out our sites as well:
http://www.pjsgroup.com/index.php
http://privatejetgroup.com/
Thank you! Look forward to reading more!!
Please contactwith any questions:
Emma Bailey
emma.bailey@pjsgroup.com
603-760-0031
Awesome pictures!! Thanks for posting. :)
Steph Manny,
Rust Remover
We'd like to get your pics of the Cox-Maritz Racing Jet Race #58 above for a magazine shoot. Please contact us at dana@airrace.org.