Critical
Mass Engine teardown On the Sunday before the qualifying race started, as
Tom Dwell taxied Critical Mass race number 10 back to the pits it had one of
its landing gear collapse. Thus they were put out of the races due to having
to take the engine apart and inspect the drive shaft and other work.
A balloon of an eagle
is the first to lift off on Sunday for the final day of
the 27th Annual Reno Balloon Races. Even the geese part to fly around it.
The mass balloon launch
at the start of the race on Sunday. The cow balloon
is milking the wind for all its worth.
Main entrance to the Reno air races
displays the theme for this year's race:
"A Year to Remember."
Rick Shanholtzer safety wires the camshaft
after removing it on the race engine
for "Miss America." Miss America, Race 11, uses a stock Rolls-Royce
"Merlin" engine for regular flying and a custom race engine. It takes
them 12 to 14 hours to change out the engine on the aircraft.
Formula 1 Race number 12 Scotty Crandlemire
waits in line waiting for his launch
slot in the qualifying round. These lightweight aircraft can be hand pulled
and moved very easily by one person. Custom aircraft tow carts abound on the
flight line for these aircraft.
A photographer looks up at a passing aircraft
as the crew of a fire truck relax
in the heat. There are many support people at Reno and the fire and crash trucks
are integeral to the success of the races. They start with a daily briefing
at 7 AM and spend the day in the sun until the last plane lands around 5 PM.