Finally got some free time to sit and write a post. Thursday I hosted a gathering of USAFA graduates in my hangar and was tied up all day.

Here are some photos I have taken the past couple of days.

This is  a composite of the qualification times board(s) that are in the Biplane/Formula One pit hangar. I took this Wednesday morning. There were still a few qualification flights made later in the morning, but this is close to the final times for this year. The red one is a new record time – Strega’s 499.160 MPH.

This shows a Formula One racer (Race 36, N-A-Rush) heading back to the pits while a Biplane Heat Race is forming up on the runway. The Formula One and Biplane racers take off all at once from the runway and head around the course. The timing starts when they cross the home pylon at the end of the start lap. All the other racers take off, form up in a formation gaggle and then cross onto the course from a ‘flying’ start.

A Hawker Sea Fury, Race 71 “Sawbones”  flown by Dan Vance.

Another view of Jimmy Leeward’s Galloping Ghost. You can see plainly the lack of the belly air scoop on this highly modified P-51.

T-6 racers positioned past the no-prop line in preparation for one of their Heat Races.

One of the Sport Class Racers, Race 66 “Jus Pass’s Thru” a Lancair Legacy.

Another Sport Class Racer, a Questair Venture, Race 71 “Bad Intentions” flown by Mike Dacey.  On Thursday in a heat race the engine quit and Mike had to make an emergency landing off a paved surface. The aircraft was destroyed (broken wing spar among other things) but Mike got out and walked away from the landing.

Aircraft tug – named appropriately for towing Dreadnought and Argonaut.

Things to remember written on the tail of T-6 Racer.

Nose art on Rod Lewis’ Tigercat, Race 1. Apparently the Military is now so ‘politically correct’ that aircraft with nose art may not land at an active base unless the nose art ladies have clothes on.  So much for historically accurate restorations.

A restored helicopter was on display in the pit area. This particular helicopter was used during the filming of the Mash television show.

Jimmy Leeward’s other ride. He is in the driver’s seat of this Can Am racer. The names written above the door are Bobby  Rahal, Jim Trueman and Bruce Canepa.  Oops, I have been corrected. This is an IMSA GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) Car. The photo I was sent was from the 1982 Daytona 24 Hr race.