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If you want to see the unlimiteds up close and have a chance to chat with the
pilot or crew for a brief moment, you must get that pit pass! They can be had
behind the far west end of the grandstands next to the security gate. It is
a popular place for fans and very busy for crews. They have to tow all aircraft
out of the pits to the hot ramp for start-ups and tow them back to the pits
after the flights. All the fans in the pit area are cooperative in getting
the heck out of the way so the tug or truck that is towing this high performance
warbird can see the wingtips and tail while dodging all the people (and other
racers).
Access to the pit areas is not only for the unlimiteds, but for the t-6, sport
class, jet class and the midgets and biplanes. The aircraft are roped off and
it is a very helpful to the crews if you respect that space. Remember the fans
are having a great time watching and drinking beer, the crews are working hard
and .....
In the pit area you will notice some nice rides with full-sized truck trailers
used for crew gear and supplies and shaded coverings for the aircraft and crew.
On top of the truck trailer, many have a great seating area for crews and
sponsors to watch the race from. On Wednesday, late afternoon, I was able to climb
up one of those nice seating areas and get a good look at the crane lifting the
sport class Nemisis out of the desert next to the runway. I guess earlier that
day it had a little mishap on the runway.
Quite a few of the
teams sell hats and shirts with their race logo on it. All are priced very
reasonable. Try and support them if you have a few extra bucks left.
I picked up a Ridge Runner III shirt and hat with their new design
and also a nice RR Merlin shirt.
The pit areas can be a very busy place at night. This year 3 P-51s were busy
during the night time on different days. Miss America worked late to solve a
problem (prop related I believe) , Merlins Magic had to change an engine on
Thurdsay night and Friday, Ridge Runner III also had to change an engine
overnight (Saturday) to keep in the races. One of the Yaks was also busy
in the pits more than once with the lights going. You can see one shot on this
page where the Yak is doing a gear swing in the evening.
After the last racers land and taxi to the ramp race crews begin to put away and
clean up the pit areas (if all went well). Some racers are still working on
their aircraft and are able to go out to the ramp and do some test runs and even
a test flight. The ramp is now open to all race aircraft for flights.
Racing
warbirds and non-racing warbirds find the later afternoon and evening a great
time to take passengers and sponsors up for a short hop or do some flight testing
after working out problems in the pit area all day. P-51s, T-6s, F-80s, B-25s
and even an F-15 find their way to the runway for a flight. Some T-6 formation
work was done and a time to go have some fun. I have seen a private
jet or two that come in drop off a vip. The airport is open to race traffic only.
So you don't have a C-152 droning around the pattern with a Sea Fury.
Most of the racers do not fly after the races each day. But you can always count
on some P-51s flying each day after 5pm. Ike Enns, Art Vance, Jimmy Leeward,
Brant Seghetti and Dan Vance are some of those who like take a P-51 up
after the racing is done - most with passengers in back. The Planes of Fame
Spam Can (I don't know who was flying her) went up several times after hours.
The weather at this time of the day can be very nice and comfy to down right
freezing. Most of the time, shorts and a light shirt are fine until the sun
goes down. Hustle back to your car if you did not pack a fleece or sweatshirt.
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