Reno Air Races - Best Viewing Spot?
Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:21 pm
I'm thinking of going to the Reno Air Races this September. I've never been to an air racing event and do not know how it's set up for audience viewing.
I'm guessing that it's not just standing along the runway like at airshows.
Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a good location. I'd like to shoot video, so a clear view is best (even when not shooting video!), but also away from any extraneous noise such as announcer speakers, etc.
Also, if you could only go for 1 of the days, which day woud you go?
Thanks for suggestions.
I'm guessing that it's not just standing along the runway like at airshows.
Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a good location. I'd like to shoot video, so a clear view is best (even when not shooting video!), but also away from any extraneous noise such as announcer speakers, etc.
Also, if you could only go for 1 of the days, which day woud you go?
Thanks for suggestions.
Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:19 pm
Both Saturday and Sunday are good days for both the racing and the airshow stuff, but Thursday is probably one of the best days for general walking around and watching the races themselves. The slower Unlimiteds, such as the Wildcat, P-40s, etc., all race on Thursday, so that's kind cool to watch.
I'm not sure where the best seats are anymore, but I can tell you that if you don't purchase a pit pass, then you might as well not even go. To me, the pit experience is worth whatever it is they charge to go there. You can literally be within a few feet of every airplane that races out there, watching the crews work, and asking them any question you wish. My experience has always been that people will generally be open and willing to talk with you, unless of course, they're working on a Merlin....they'll just be too busy to do anything else.
Either way, I hope you go, I hope you get a pit pass, and I hope you have a great time.
Gary
I'm not sure where the best seats are anymore, but I can tell you that if you don't purchase a pit pass, then you might as well not even go. To me, the pit experience is worth whatever it is they charge to go there. You can literally be within a few feet of every airplane that races out there, watching the crews work, and asking them any question you wish. My experience has always been that people will generally be open and willing to talk with you, unless of course, they're working on a Merlin....they'll just be too busy to do anything else.
Either way, I hope you go, I hope you get a pit pass, and I hope you have a great time.
Gary
Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:21 pm
Sunday for sure, I'd recommend the Chairmans club, but the grandstands provide a great view as well.
Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:25 pm
Oh, and be sure to get there early enough to watch the Formula Ones race. And if you're lucky, you might get to watch John Hall showing off by flying around the pylons with his canopy open. (Neal Nurmi, here's your cue for posting "that" picture) 
Gary
(Neal Nurmi, here's your cue for posting "that" picture)
Gary
Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:33 pm
retroaviation wrote:Oh, and be sure to get there early enough to watch the Formula Ones race. And if you're lucky, you might get to watch John Hall showing off by flying around the pylons with his canopy open.
Gary
I think he stole that idea from Tom Camp.
Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:38 pm
retroaviation wrote:Oh, and be sure to get there early enough to watch the Formula Ones race. And if you're lucky, you might get to watch John Hall showing off by flying around the pylons with his canopy open.
Gary
Hopefully I will be running on Sunday!
Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:22 pm
Gee Gary -- you don't mean this picture, do you?? Somehow I just don't think that ole' Tom Cassutt had this in mind when he designed this airplane so long ago...
And I second Gary's suggestion of a pit pass. No seats, obviously, but that is where the action is! Don't forget to continue down the ramp to visit the smaller racer classes (IF1 Bipe and plastic racers) in the big hangars down at the end.
I'd also consider buying reserved seats -- that way you can wander and have a seat waiting when you get back. The reserve grandstands are also a bit higher for a better view, I think.
And I second Gary's suggestion of a pit pass. No seats, obviously, but that is where the action is! Don't forget to continue down the ramp to visit the smaller racer classes (IF1 Bipe and plastic racers) in the big hangars down at the end.
I'd also consider buying reserved seats -- that way you can wander and have a seat waiting when you get back. The reserve grandstands are also a bit higher for a better view, I think.
Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:29 pm
Here's a bit more racing action to whet your appetite.
As you can tell from the faces and postures, this is an intense business indeed...
As you can tell from the faces and postures, this is an intense business indeed...
Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:33 pm
Neal Nurmi wrote:
Thanks for posting that, Neal (sorry John).
I never noticed this before, but check out the yaw string on the canopy. No wonder it came loose, John, you're flying uncoordinated.
Seriously though, for those of y'all who didn't see that happen, he did a heck of a job getting the airplane down nice and safe. He kept his wits about him, had good eye protection, and will race again. Great job John!
Gary
Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:41 pm
Thanks Gary (and Neal) - I actually like that shot!
Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:43 pm
PS
Picture of Scarlet and Madness is AWESOME!
Picture of Scarlet and Madness is AWESOME!
Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:35 pm
Thank you John. There was some awfully good racing last year at Reno in all the classes, and it looks like more of the same this year.
For anybody thinking of coming to Reno for the first time this year -- Be prepared! You are going to see the greatest spectacle in Aviation, in my opinion. Fast and low -- the sound of a Merlin at 100 inches of manifold pressure and 3200 rpm just has to be heard to be believed...
Or how about a 460 mph Yak??
For anybody thinking of coming to Reno for the first time this year -- Be prepared! You are going to see the greatest spectacle in Aviation, in my opinion. Fast and low -- the sound of a Merlin at 100 inches of manifold pressure and 3200 rpm just has to be heard to be believed...
Or how about a 460 mph Yak??
Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:16 pm
If your wanting to stay away from noisy loud goofy announcers than stay in the pits 
, there are no speakers in that area(thank goodness) I too would suggest getting a reserved grandstand up high so as to shoot good video and that way you don't have people heads in your way or they duck but too late 
.
Here are some grandstand shots I took from last years gold race if they help any
And of course you could schlep a chair in and tie it to the fence like a lot of people do, that way NO ONE is in your way
I say go this year and then next year you will learn from the previous year what you liked and didn't like and improve. Oh yeah come by and see me Race 14! Just say your on WIX board
, there are no speakers in that area(thank goodness) I too would suggest getting a reserved grandstand up high so as to shoot good video and that way you don't have people heads in your way or they duck but too late .
Here are some grandstand shots I took from last years gold race if they help any
And of course you could schlep a chair in and tie it to the fence like a lot of people do, that way NO ONE is in your way
I say go this year and then next year you will learn from the previous year what you liked and didn't like and improve. Oh yeah come by and see me Race 14! Just say your on WIX board