Second, we engaged Steve Picatti as our new race engineer. This engine will give us essentially the same performance as the old Viper. First, we elected to re-engine Race 77 with a Pratt and Whitney JT12D. Since then, things have brightened considerably. Along with three other racers, these included our Race 77 Viper, which holds Reno’s absolute speed record at 544 MPH, and Race 2 Pipsqueak, which holds the record for L-39’s at 525 MPH. Reno finally beat him in the only way they knew: They concocted issues they used to ban his racers. Dave had led our domination of all Reno racing for 6 straight years, from 2005 to 2010. Second, the genius behind our racing success, Dave Cannavo, passed away in December. First, Rolls Royce issued a modified inspection program for our Viper race engines.
The outlook for 2019 started out looking bleak. Race 2, Pipsqueak, remains a work in progress. The race officials and the FAA have indicated the new engine in the Viper will work for Race 77. Warbirds of Delaware continues to fight to get both of its banned racers back in the game. SLUGGO was 13th of 14th fastest overall, but Joe was able to qualify 11th of 14, and finish 11th of 14, with a 407 MPH race, good for third in the Bronze race. So, once again for 2019, Joe Gano was forced to fall back on his reliable old beater, Race 6 SLUGGO, a stock L-29. It looks like this combination will become a popular Jet Class racer over the next several years. The JT12/L-29 makes a reliable and inexpensive racer that Pete proved is highly competitive. Pete Zaccagnino won this year’s event in Race 24, another JT12 powered L-29 with a 495 MPH Gold race. For next year, it will be our top priority to get our JT12 engine installed and qualified. We hope to re-qualify both Pipsqueak and the Viper so that we can resume the record holding speeds and winning record these great racers have put together in the past, winning in 5 of the 6 years they have been allowed to race.Warbirds of Delaware wasn’t able to get its re-engined Race 77, the Viper ready in time to qualify for 2019. Our primary goal is to get the ban on our Fast Jets lifted so we can get back to serious racing. The Jet Class continued its strong presence with essentially the same number of racers fielded the prior year, in spite of the continuing unjustified ban on several of its aircraft.ĭue to this baffling ban, race speeds were, as predicted much slower this year with only one jet qualifying over 500 MPH and a race or two in barely in excess of 490 MPH.Ģ013 marks the 50th anniversary of the Reno Air Races, and the Delaware Warbirds team is already getting ready. In addition, the Unlimited Class, for whatever reason was not present in any great strength, fielding only 15 racers. As predicted there was limited military participation, with the Patriots L-39 team doing a good job of filling in for the Thunderbirds. In the wake of the 2011 tragedy the mood was somber, but generally the pilots came out to race and the fans came out to watch. That was good for 11th out of 15 overall. While clearly not a fast ride, Joe managed a credible 3rd place finish in the Silver Race on Sunday, behind Cliff Magee and Mike Mangold, both in L-39’s, with a sluggish 387 MPH.
With Joe Gano piloting, SLUGGO was able to qualify only 14th of 15 racers. With Race 2, Pipsqueak and Race 77, the Viper still banned, the Warbirds of Delaware team raced its fallback stock L-29, Race 6, SLUGGO.
See if you can spot Mike Mangold’s snake pass (inside and underneath) on the third lap going into pylon 4.
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