2006 Cross Country Air Race Ends

July 26 - The 2006 National Cross Country Air Races concluded on July 23, 2006.   Three races were successfully flown and the perfect safety record of the U.S. Air Race continues.  The first event, the Hutchinson 300 challenged the pilots by allowing navigation by pilotage only.  Think the broad expanses of Kansas and the skill required becomes apparent.  A veteran race team, Jeanette and Dennis Hackler from Arlington, TX flew their Piper Arrow, the "Magic Carpet" to victory.  Determined to repeat his 2005 Overall Win, Marvin Guthrie and Cheryl Finke from Florida posted a second place finish in the Bonanza "Winning Machine".  An amazing third place finish came to Mike Jones, Fullerton, CA and Rick Vandam, Reno, NV in the Glasair III, "Warp Speed Wanda".  Pilotage at 250kts ........yes, it can be done and done well.  In the mix and in fourth place was Mr. Air Race himself, Arthur T. Mott, Waxhaw, NC with co-pilot John Dawson, Richmond, VA and crew member Bruce Chapman, Honolulu, HI.

 

The Marion Jayne Air Race took to the skies on schedule on July 19, 2006.  It was apparent from the start that each team had their own race strategy.  After one day on the course teams spent the night at three of the 5 stops.  Day two saw that weather bug-a-boo crop up.  Thunder storms in Montana dictated when many teams could fly and by the end of the day five teams were at the finish and the balance were spending the night in Wolf Point, MT.  On the third day all teams out on the course finished the race safely and successfully. Race 10 with Mike Jones and Rick Vandam posted the best score and Race 3, Marvin Guthrie and Cherle Finke second.  Race 2 flying their flight school Cherokee 140, Wanda Zuege and John Thompson from Wisconsin were third.  They flew the slowest entry in the event and were held back in Montana by the storms.  They also emerged as the best Piper award winners and the Rookie Race Team winners.  Fourth place, Race 29 with Arthur Mott, John Dawson and Bruce Chapman.  Fifth to Denise Waters, New York, NY and Nancy Toon, Atlanta, GA in a Grumman Tiger and in sixth from New Jersey flying the "Mighty Mooney" Pam and Mathew Giltner.

The Wisconsin 300 was officially rescheduled on July 20 and was set to start on July 22 at 1:30 p.m. due to weather forecasts.  The weather became more uncertain on the morning of July 22 and the race start was moved to noon to assure a clear course for the racers.  All aircraft again finished safely and successfully and a new record was established.  Jeanette and Dennis Hackler and their Piper Arrow again won a 300 mile pilotage only race during the National Air Races.  Second place saw "Wild Thing" the Cessna Skymaster and veteran racers Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed from Maryland take home their trophies.  Mike Jones and Rick Vandam were really getting the hang of going really fast and looking out the window as they again posted a third place finish. 

 

Any team competing in all three racing events is eligible for the Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy award.  This award recognizes the pilot who can use all their skills in posting the fastest cross country time.  First time U.S. Air Race competitors, Mike Jones and Rick Vandam came away with this honor.  Marvin Guthrie and Cheryl Finke were second with Marvin coming very close to repeating his 2005 overall win. 

The U.S. Air Race, Inc. congratulates the pilots for their successful and safe completion of the 2006 National Cross Country Air Races.  Seven airports and cities and towns were visited and General Aviation was brought to these in a most positive way.  All pilots have ear marked Hutchinson, Kansas, Akron, Colorado, Rapid City, South Dakota, Wolf Point, Montana, Devils Lake, North Dakota, Orr, Minnesota and Stevens Point, Wisconsin as must return locations.

Entries will open for the 2007 National Air Races on January 1, 2007.  Wichita Airport Authority is sponsoring the start at Jabara Airport, Wichita, Kansas.