Only Richard's Second Year Of Competition
Thom Richard, co-founder of Warbird Adventures and the Kissimmee
Air Museum has returned to central Florida after winning both the
Gold and Silver Formula One races at the Reno World Championship
Air Race this past week. Thom and "Team Florida" have accomplished
what few only dream of in not one but two of the extremely
competitive classes, racing in tight formation, 50 feet off the
ground and well over 200 miles an hour.
Thom Richard Photo By Neal
Sands
Thom Richard's plane "Miss USA" that won the Silver Formula Race
and Tim Neubert's plane "Invictus" that Thom flew to win the Gold
Formula One race will be on display after their triumphant return
to the Kissimmee Air Museum for visitors to enjoy along with the
other planes and exhibits that share Florida's aviation
heritage.
It's been said that the first air race was held after the second
plane was built in 1903, and has been a worldwide fascination ever
since. Air racing is billed as 'the world's fastest motor sport'
and Reno is one of the few remaining venues to enjoy the sound of
raw horsepower.
Invictus Photo By Neal Sands
The 1920s and 30s saw the Golden Age Air Racing only to be
halted by the more important aviation competition of WWII. Bill
Stead, a Nevada rancher, hydroplane racer, and World War II ace,
came up with the idea of reviving the National Air Races in 1964 to
help celebrate the centennial of Nevada's statehood. The races were
part of a major air show that included the national aerobatics and
balloon championships, skydiving competition, and a performance by
the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The races were moved to Reno's
Stead Air Force Base when it closed in 1966, it was turned over to
the city and renamed Stead Airfield, which has been the site of the
Reno National Air Races ever since.
The World Championship Reno Air Races feature multi-lap,
multi-aircraft races between extremely high performance aircraft on
closed courses, which range between about 3 to 8 miles per lap.
There are six classes that planes of different size and horsepower
compete in. The Formula Class that Thom Richard dominated is much
like Formula One auto racing that demands that all the planes
confirm to certain specifications relying on the pilot's skill and
experience to give an edge over the competition.
Invictus Photo By Neal Sands
About 150,000 spectators turn out over the four-day period
enjoying not only the close track racing but also exhibitions of
aerobatics, stunt flying, and skydiving, as well as flyovers and
demonstrations by military teams.
Each September for the past four decades, pilots and planes
have traveled west to Reno to see the best and the fastest
fly. Thom Richard flew his first Reno race last year and has
already surprised himself and others by his success in the Formula
One Category.