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Flying the Air Race Classic has been a bucket list item of mine. One of these years, I can't wait to show them what 201 mph looks like! You can follow the air race here: https://airraceclassic2017.maprogress.com/ and on Facebook, Instagram, etc. Looks like there are only 3 Mooneys this year: https://www.airraceclassic.org/racer-list.htm and one of them is co-piloted by Flying Wild Alaska's Ariel Tweto. It also looks like we have at least one of our local flying phenomenas participating in a Bonanza, Debbie Harvey-Rihn.

We aren't going to be able to make the next few air races, someone else should head out there with their Mooney and represent.. The time to beat is 192 mph for a 201! The Hill Country Air Race at Llano, TX on the 27th is growing slowly. The race page is available on the web site: http://hillcountry150.com/index.htm The race following Llano is BCAF at Abilene, on 4 May. The SARL web site has been having problems for the last week and they are rebuilding it, so if you want more information, let me know.

Come beat our 201 SARL speed record. I dare you to help Byron prove his assertion that our new engine made our plane slower. Air race season is upon us! http://sportairrace.org/id4.html

So its time to try out the new engine in an air race. We still hold the record for a Mooney 201 and the FAC3RG class at 187.78 mph. I don't think this engine is going to perform as well, but we'll see. However, this record is for the most part due to lack of competition - it can be beat! It can be beat by you! If you've never done an air race, you should come. I am going to reiterate my usual reassurance about what cool events these are: 1. They are just like flying a long cross country around some waypoints. Some people do it WOT, some at cruise speeds, you can just do it for fun. Though WOT is better. 2. They are totally safe - they sequence race starts with the fastest plane first and provide for good separation and clear radio calls at each turn point. Occasionally there is a very controlled pass, but most planes stay in the same sequence they started 3. Altitudes are safe per the FAR's. 4. Its a fun group with a very mixed demographic and all sorts of airplane types. 5. Lots of trophies are awarded. Come be my competition! Or if you want to just come out and watch the start, that can be fun too, but not as fun as racing. The Lone Star Air Rally was the first race I flew last year and it had me hooked at an instant. They have modified the course this year (I heard it called the "Texas Twister") with a lot of turns - usually an air race might have 4-5 turns, this race has 10! We'd love to see you there - let me know if you have any questions about air racing: http://lonestarairrally.blogspot.com/

There were no Mooneys to race at GLS , but you have another chance, in Cleveland Texas next Saturday! Please, come be competition. I'd like to say I'll catch up to the racing Bonanzas, but probably not. But the record is there for the breaking - 192.45 mph. Or just come have fun and fly a long cross country. Let me know if you have any questions! http://www.sportairrace.org/id485.html