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FLY-FAST
2013
www.fly-fast.us

From the
There is always
someone at your
six at Reno!
“Chairman”
By Mike Thompson
This year SARL begins its seventh racing season and the prospects could not be
better. We have a record number of races on the schedule and more unscheduled
but being negotiated by hosts.
Reno Pylon Racing School June 13-16th
FAST Training
Register by May 4th to attend
June 11-13
Pylon Racing school and get
your race licence. Don’t miss
out on the 50th running of the
National Championship Air
Races Sept 11th-15th, 2013
Form it up,Baby!
2 FLY-FAST • 2013
Visit www.SportClass.com
At the end of 2012 the organization’s
statistician, Bob Axsom, developed
some interesting numbers that attest
to our strong commitment to safety.
Since our first race as an organization
in 2007, we have completed 79 races
comprising 1,567 flights. In all of those
flights we had a total of 6 precautionary
landings (I was 2 of them) but there
have been no emergencies, accidents,
incidents or any other safety-related
events associated with the races. We’re
pretty proud of that accomplishment
and we continue to keep safety in mind
when we design our courses, when we
lay down start and finish procedures,
when we brief the racers and during
the actual execution of the races.
At Reno they can run their equipment
hard enough to destroy engines because
they always have a runway underneath
them and when the cockpit gets quiet,
they have a ready place to go. In Cross
Country air racing there is no telling
what terrain will be underneath you at
any given time, and that tempers our
competitive win-at-all-costs mindsets.
We are also cognizant of the fact that
we flew the plane to the race and will
have to fly the plane home after the
race, so we had better not break it during
the race!
This attitude is part of the reason that
Cross Country air racing is a breed
apart from Reno pylon air racing. We
are the marathoners to the Reno sprinters.
We concentrate on reliability as
much as on superior speed, and rarely
will a modification be made for more
knots if it negatively affects the usefulness
of the aircraft. Our pilots think
nothing of flying to a race, running
their aircraft hard, and then leaving on
a flying vacation before going home.
Once it becomes apparent that our
races are safety-based, we get more and
more interest from pilots who try it, and
then some get hooked. Every year, flyers
who never thought of themselves as
“race pilots” get involved in SARL, and
the next thing you know, they’re ordering
a new prop! It’s happened over and
over again.
Will it happen to you Not if you don’t
try it!
See our Calendar of Events on line at
http://sportairrace.org/id4.html or
elsewhere in this publication.
2013 • FLY-FAST
3

The Record Book - 2007 - 2012
By Pat Purcell
Since the League began in 2007, meticulous
records have been kept by
“Racer” Bob Axsom. All the facts are
available on the League web site. In
2013, Chairman, Mike Thompson has
taken over record keeping.
At the end of 2012, there had been 80
League sanctioned events in the US
and Canada. There have been 1,570 individual
race flights and over 500 pilots
have participated in League events.
The success of the Sport Air Racing
League can be summed up in three
words: ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE
and FUN. The competition is legitimate
open course timed speed racing.
Safety is paramount and fair play is
where it is at. Pilots can come together
and compete and then exchange ideas
and experiences and revel in all things
aviation.
Annually,
Point Championships
are
awarded…
not for the
fastest, but
for the pilot
who races and
amasses the
most points
for competing
in class.
Gold, silver,
and bronze
championships are awarded. Since
2011, the awards have been given in
the three major class categories.
Speed records are recognized in
the individual classes. Aircraft are all
2007 Point Chairmans
propeller driven and fixed wing. Within
the three categories; Experimental,
Factory and Heavy Metal, the classes
are formed using engine, gear configuration
and in some cases actual aircraft
model. There are 59 classes in all…
there is racing for everyone.
2007
Point Champions- All Texans
Bronze, Don Saint, Glasair
IIS-FT, Gold, Larry Henney,
Lancair 360, Silver, James
Redmon, Berkut
2008 Point Champions
Gold, Duncan and Caroline
Sutherland, New Mexico, SX-
300
Silver, Chris Murphy, Colorado,
RV-4
Current RV Red Class Top
Speed Record, 214.06mph,
2012 Air Venture Cup
Bob Axsom, Arkansas, RV-
6A
2009
Gold, James Porter, Texas, Cirrus SR-
20
Silver, Stuart Morse, Florida, Grumman
AA5B
Factory 4FX Top Speed
Record Holder
Grumman AA5B, Stu
Morse, Florida
Current Factory Top Speed Record,
184.31mph, 2012 Air Venture Cup
Bronze, Dave Adams, Missouri, Long
EZ
2010
Gold, James Porter, Texas, Cirrus SR-
20
Silver, Chester Jurskis,
Texas, Bonanza S35
Bronze, Ann Elise Bennett,
Cessna 182
2011 Experimental
Gold, Alan Crawford,
Texas, Lancair Legacy
Silver, Russell and Rhea
Sherwood, Texas, Glasair
IRG
Bronze, Mike Thompson,
Texas, Vans RV-6
2011 Factory
Gold, Bobby Bennett,
Texas, Bonanza S35
Current Factory 1RG Top Speed Record,
222.67, West Texas 2011
Silver, Ann Elise Bennett, Texas,
Cessna 182
Bronze, Bobby Rose, Texas, Cessna
172
4 FLY-FAST • 2013
The Great Bahamas Air Race
Over $10,000 in cash and prizes.
January 24 - 31, 2014
Open to all pilots and airplanes
First time racers welcome
Never been to the Bahamas
We’ll help you get there.
For more in formation... go to
www.greatbahamasairrace.org
or email
GBAR2014@gmail.com
Alan Crawford – Race 21
Turn point @ Crooked Island
Race the “Out Islands of the Bahamas”
A speed & proficency cross country air race.
Three day - 900 mile race
2013 • FLY-FAST
5

Left: Experimental Formual Blue RG-T
Top Speed Record Holder
Polen Special, Dick Keyt, Texas
Experimental Formula Blue
FX Top Speed Record Holder
Glasair I TD, Bruce Hammer,
Louisiana
2011 Heavy Metal
Gold, Chip Lamb, Texas, North American
T-28
Silver, Joe Dickerson, Texas, North
American T-28
Bronze, Claude Henrickson, Mississippi,
P51D Mustang
Current Heavy Metal Unlimited Top
Speed Record, 304.32mph, Texoma
2010
Class speed records are dictated by
many factors. This is cross country
racing and the pilot’s skill is a contributing
factor. Weather conditions and
the distance of the race and number of
turns all dictate the results.
2012 Air Venture Cup saw 14 class records
set. The west to east course had
amazing tailwinds.
There are too many classes to list all
Above - Heavy Metal Vintage Top
Speed Record Holder
Spartan 7W, John Levitz, Arizona
the record holders. Enjoy photos of the
some of the fastest planes on the circuit!
Cont’d from page 9
tHE iNDY aIR rACE
SATURDAY, aUGUST 10, 2013
at Indy Executive Airport, KTYQ
Proudly hosted by
Montgomery Aviation
A majority of the races are 150-200
statute miles in length, with anywhere
from 4 to 10 turns. The Air Venture
Cup is the exception. It offers a 400
mile plus point to point course and the
opportunity to fly high and go for record
speeds. The 2010 Air Venture Cup saw
the all time top speed record set by
Marty Abbott, Canada in his Turbine
Legend. They flew the course for an average
ground speed of 401.09 mph. The
Experimental Twin Turbo Top Speed Record Holder
For more info visit:
www.sportairrace.org
www.montgomeryaviation.net
(317) 769-4487
6 FLY-FAST • 2013
Boomerang, Tres Clement,
2013 • FLY-FAST
7

Pagosa Springs, CO
Avjet Corporation is a full-service FBO at Stevens Field
in beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Services and amenities:
SARL
friendly!
• 8100’ x 100’ runway
• After hours service
• Luxury lobby
• Courtesy transportation
• Conference room
• Concierge Service
• Flight planning room
• Wireless internet access
• Snooze room
• Avgas and Jet-A
• Shower facilities
• 24 hour self serve - 100ll
• Hangar
• Car rental on site
• Oxygen
Stevens Field Airport • KPSO • Pagosa Springs, CO • phone: (970) 731-2127
To Ann Elise
Thank you for being my friend,
wife, racing partner and taking
care of me. I love you.
8 FLY-FAST • 2013
Bobby
2013 • FLY-FAST
9

Catch
Us If
You Can!
By Jim Ford
The spring of 2008 foundMike and Linda Ely looking for an aircraft that would fit their flying plans and budget when they came
upon a 1979 Gulfstream American “Grumman” AA5-A (“Cheetah”) in Arizona. Low time, always hangared, and in good condition
having been owned by one family since it left the factory in 1979, they brought it home to Texas.
Mike is a professional pilot, as was his childhood dream. His introduction to flying came at age 15 with a ride in a family friend’s
Citabria at Chino Municipal Airport. “Mom thought the ride would cure my foolish notion of being a pilot,” laughs Mike. “After the
flight with Fran Phifer (which included loops, rolls and spins over Lake Matthews) that foolish notion never left my head. Mom became
supportive.”
As a teenagerhe scraped enough money to get his private pilot license before he bought his first car, taking the bus to work, school
and the airport.With seven jet type ratings, seaplane and glider, Mike has worked as an instructor, freight dog, dropped skydivers,
been chief pilot for an international corporation, and presently teaches pilots to fly jet aircraft as a simulator and classroom instructor.
Linda is an instrument rated pilot, flying since 2004. She credits God for bringing aviation to her at a dark time in her life, after a fatal
house fire ended the lives of her husband and two small children, as she wrote in her book, “When We Move to Heaven: A family love
story.” Becoming so enamored with aviation she left a paralegal career to work for the preeminent aviation app company, ForeFlight,
where she is the FBO Relations Manager and assists the Data Development Team.
Having been raised in an auto racing family in Indianapolis, it was only natural that Linda would gravitate toward racing in any vehicle.
She entered her first Air Race Classic, the all-women’s annual cross-country air race, popularly known as the Powder Puff Derby,
in 2008. A veteran of four ARC races, her best so far – third place – came in 2010, eighty-nine years after her grandfather’s third place
finish at the Indy 500.
Pat Purcell contacted Linda about the Sport Air Racing League. “Air Race Classic has a great heritage and I’m very proud to be part of
it,” explains Linda,“but when Pat said Mike and I could race together,” the decision to join the family-friendly group was easy. But early
in 2011 cylinder #3 cracked, the engine almost 200 hours past TBO.Seeing an opportunity to makethe small factory build become a
special fast-for its class race plane, the Elys worked on a plan for the 2012 SARL season. Ace mechanic and SARL racer Bobby Bennett
rebuilt the engine with ported and flow-matched new cylinders from Lycon and enough new parts to zero-time the 150-hp Lycoming
O-320 engine. An STC increased in compression and Powerflow exhaust relieving excess backpressure takes advantage of all available
horsepower.
10 FLY-FAST
A new
•
Sensenich
2013
prop, LoPresti “growl cowl”, and low-profile antennas make the Jim Bede design more aerodynamic.
With new life breathed into their icon of speed the Elys sought a name, selecting the winning entry from three-time SARL champion
AnnElise Bennett, who dubbed it “The Elyminator.” Dressed up in racy red and white with black and white checkers on wingtips (see
photo on page sixteen) and tail, taunting “Stuck In Traffic” across the bottom of the airplane, Race 55 dominated the Factory 5 Fixed
Gear class in 2012, breaking the class speed record three times, earning the top spot (and most points in SARL history) and winning
the Production Gold Champion award.
“While everyone’s looking for speed,” says Linda, “if you put it in perspective, even having a little 150-horse factory-built airplane can
be fun and competitive.” Having finished their third year with SARL the Elys look forward to the 2013 season noting there’s still more
speed on the table.
Between races, The Elyminator participates in Young Eagles rides, fly-ins, and carries the Elys to visit family and friends in far-away
places such as Cincinnati, where grandson Myles continues to battle serious health problems, receiving his third bone marrow transplant
in October, 2012.
When Sport Air Racing League Chairman Mike Thompson expressed a desire to expand League races across the country, Linda felt
compelled to introduce her hometown to cross-country air racing via The Indy Air Race. The Elys work together to build an interesting
and challenging race course each year incorporating Linda’s sister’s house as a turn point, “because she and her whole family just love
airplanes.” Ham radio operators serve as turn point judges, which works out great for them because they get to conduct emergency
exercises while adding an element of safety to the race.
“Being race directors gives us the inside view and makes us appreciate all the work that goes into it,” says Linda. “The experience of
putting a race together is kind of like organizing a fly-in but with additional logistics such as timing and scoring, course design, pre-race
briefing, awards, meals, sponsors, web site, and quite a bit more. At Indy we try to incorporate the wider race theme since Indy is “the
racing capital of the world.” Places such as Pagosa Springs, Colorado and Three Forks, Montana each have a unique feel because the
race takes on the character of the area and the director.” It certainly allows for scenic travel throughout the country.
The Elyminator has been to all four corners of the continental U.S., including a Fall Foliage Flying Tour to Vermont, New Hampshire,
and Massachusetts in 2010, and a full West Coast Tour following last year’s exciting SARL race in Ephrata, Washington. The tour, from
Bellingham to Southern California, included aromantic stay on Santa Catalina Island at Zane Grey’s Pueblo Hotel.
The Ephrata race brought close competition. “Don Otis in his 160 hp Grumman AA-1 stuck like glue the entire course,” recalls Mike.
“He started his takeoff roll 20 seconds behind us and at each turn call he was closer. On the second-to-last leg we spied him in our 4
o’clock position,closing in. We poured on the coals and crossed the finish breaking the record we broke two weeks earlier in Carbondale
but it lasted about 15 seconds. Don crossed the line beating our speed by 7/100ths of a mile an hour. Don’s airplane weighs several
hundred pounds less than ours, but he flew a tight race and he’s a strong competitor.”
“Twenty-twelve was a winning year for us,” says Mike, “but all
years with SARL have been fun and we encourage other pilots
to try it. For camaraderie this is the best group, and for learning
about your airplane and honing your pilot skills there’s nothing
betterthan challenging yourself and really putting yourself and
your airplane to the test.”
Adds Linda, “2012 was good, but the highlight for me was taking
my grandson Myles up in the Elyminator for the first time.
I’d been staying with him in the hospital. Myles has severe combined
immune deficiency, “bubble boy” disease. He was well
enough to get a four-hour pass, so the day after Thanksgiving we
went to Lunken Municipal Airport. Since we’d just watched Red
Tails we imagined we would shoot down an enemy if we saw one
in the sky. We did several touch-and-go’s, staying in the traffic
pattern because he couldn’t really go anywhere, yet. During the
flight, I saw him smile. Not just from his lips but from his whole
being beamed this happiness as those big eyes gazed out the window
taking in the great view from aloft.
“Our SARL family has been incredibly supportive of Myles, and
it thrills my soul to have been with him when he felt well enough
to go flying; an indescribable gift for which I will always be grateful.
It also gave him a unique story to tell when we returned to
the hospital that afternoon. One of the nurses asked, ‘How was
your pass today’ Myles held his composure like a man and said
nonchalantly, ‘Good. I went flying with Nanny.’”
Jeanine & Bob Axsom
Racing Team supports SARL
Mike and Linda Ely are among a growing group of pilots who
appreciate the fact that the Sport Air Racing League is truly Racing
for the Rest of Us. “Where else could we participate all year
with super-fast Experimentals and end up with a Championship
trophy,” they ask. The Elys would like to see more competition
among the production classes, especially in Factory 5, as they say,
“Catch us if you can!”
2013 • FLY-FAST
11

Record Book
Cont’d
from page 9
Racers are always ready to help one another
and share ideas. Damon Ring is getting help
on his RV8 from Glasair pilot Bruce Hammer.
Left: Racers gather around Stu Morse, Champion
racer from Florida. Stu flies a Grumman AA5B. Stu
is sharing advice with other racers at the start of the
AirVenture Cup race.
It is all about helping each other and making the racing
safe and enjoyable.
Credit Jo Hunter
Linda & Mike Ely.....first win of the 2012 Season,
Texoma 100
LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL WEST CENTRAL ARKANSAS
NEAR MOUNT MAGAZINE STATE PARK
Mount Magazine is the highest mountain between
the Rockies and Appalachians with a new and
beautiful lodge on the peak.
Factory 3FX Top Speed Record Holder
Cessna 180, Red Hamilton & Marilyn Boese,
California
12 FLY-FAST • 2013
Booneville (4M2) is a very pilot friendly airport with
mechanic on duty. Fuel 24/7 at competitive pricing.
Courtesy car with rooms in town or at the lodge.
www.boonevilleairport.com
2013 • FLY-FAST
13

Record Book
Cont’d
from page 13
Heavy Metal Unlimited
Top Speed Record
Holder
P51B Mustang, Claude
Hendrickson, Alabama
A Berkut, Race 13
Come Race
With Us!
You’ll Love it!
www sportairrace.org
Norm and Helen Biron
14 FLY-FAST • 2013
2013 • FLY-FAST
15

www.fly-low.com
www.fly-fast.us
6 April, 2013
Texoma Race
Sherman, TX (KGYI)
13 April, 2013
Taylor 100 Air Race
Taylor, TX (T74)
1 June, 2013
Grove Speed Challenge
Grove, OK (KGMJ)
7-10 June, 2013
International Air Meet
Durant, OK (KDUA)
10 August, 2013
Indy Air Race
Indianapolis, IN (KTYQ)
17 August, 2013
5 October, 2013
Northwoods 100 Air Race
Waupaca, WI (KPCZ)
12 October, 2013
Cleveland Air Race Revival
Cleveland, TX (6R3)
27 April, 2013
Hill Country Air Race
Llano, TX (KAQO)
29 June, 2013
Firecracker 100 Air Race
Marysville, OH (KMRT)
Pappy Boyington Memorial
Cup Coeur d’Alene, ID
(KCOE)
24 August, 2013
19 October, 2013
Ghost Run Air Race
Jasper, TX (KJAS)
4 May, 2013
Big Country Air Fest Air
Race Abilene, TX (KABI)
6 July, 2013
Big Sky Air Race
Townsend, MT (8U8)
MERFI Air Race
Urbana, OH (I74)
7 September, 2013
26 October, 2013
Grove Air Race
Grove, OK (KGMJ)
18 May, 2013
Lone Star Air Race
Galveston, TX (KGLS)
27 July, 2013
AirVenture Cup Air Race
Dayton, OH (KMGY)
Great Northwest Air Race
Ephrata, WA (KEPH)
21 September, 2013
2 November, 2013
Thunderbird Air Race
Wickenburg, AZ (E25)
25 May, 2013
Memorial Day Air Race
Terrell, TX (KTRL)
Pagosa Springs 150 Air
Race Pagosa Springs, CO
(KPSO)
9 November, 2013
Rocket 100 Air Race
Taylor, TX (T74)
28 September, 2013
Tennessee 150 Air Race
Tullahoma, TN (KTHA)
2013 SARL RACES
16 FLY-FAST • 2013
www.fly-low.com
www.fly-fast.us
2013 • FLY-FAST
17

Non-SARL events that you may be interested in:
International Air Meet *
8-10 June, 2013
Durant, OK (KDUA)
* The International Air Meet runs from 7-10 June.
7 June is reserved for a SARL-sanctioned race,
8-9 June is a non-sanctioned race and 10 June is a rain date.
Contact Pat Purcell for more information
Formation And Safety Team Check
10-11 June, 2013
Reno, NV (KRTS)
Pylon Racing School
12-15 June, 2013
Reno, NV (KRTS)
Air Race Classic
18-21 June, 2013
Pasco, WA (KPSC)
Reno Air Races
9-15 September, 2013
Reno, NV (KRTS)
www.SportAirRace.Org
18 FLY-FAST • 2013
2013 • FLY-FAST
19

DREAM MACHINES
Aviation Consultant & Aircraft Builder Assistance
Specializing in high performance aircraft aerodynamics, cooling systems, engine
installations & carbon fiber parts & prototype development. Formula V & Formula
One experience. 3 FAI world speed records, 7 time FV Champion “Miss Annapolis”
The Expert behind the safety, performance and reliability of my “Miss Annapolis” &
Jeff Lange’s “Sky Racer” Sonerai racers.
Contact Brian Dempsey 443-510-9680
Race8@hotmail.com
TRYING
TO REACH
PILOTS
MONTHLY CALL
FLY-LOW
479.970.1001
Twin brothers, Mike and Mark Patey fly Lancair Legacys.
Mike and Mark are engineers with dreams and the talent to
allow them to fulfill those dreams. They hail from Provo,
Utah and both are married to pilots and each have four children.
They have day jobs where they specialize in engineering
platforms to test hybrid vehicles. Their first love is
the airplanes and they are designing an electric hybrid twin
pusher aircraft. They own a helicopter that they fly at their
own expense on search and rescue missions in the mountains.
Mark was honored this year with the U.S. National
Life Saving Award for saving the most lives while flying as
a Deputy Sheriff for Utah County. They are planning a record
setting Round the World flight flying formation in their
Legacy’s. Never let it be said that one does not have the time
to do what they dream of!
Their Lancairs are no ordinary Legacys. These planes serve
them as transportation, test beds and race mounts. Mike
enjoys the cross country events. Always the innovators, the
Patey brothers have just replaced the IO-520 and IO-580 engines
with IO-720 and IO-780 eight cylinder monsters. They
are using normally aspirated engines for their increased reliability
over the turbo super charged option. When fired up,
Mike reports they purr like a kitten and run the smoothest
of any aircraft he has ever flown. These brothers really know
what they are doing. Plans for 2013 include taking part in
20 FLY-FAST • 2013
cross country races while preparing for their round the world
record quest. The eight cylinder engines give a combination
of speed and range that fits this endeavor. Special 10’ wings
will be installed to accommodate the fuel needed. They will
be flying together in formation as they circle the globe. A
dream adventure in dream machines!
If you are racing with them, they are the most amiable and
excited pilots on the ramp. Take time to meet them,
You will be the richer for it.
www.fly-low.com
FLY-LOW
PUBLICATIONS
FLY-FAST
PUBLICATIONS
www.fly-fast.us
2013 • FLY-FAST
21

Norm and Helen Biron
Air Racers
TROJAN
PHLYERS
Warbird Formation Aerobatics Team…
…Performing for the Americas
We feel the need for speed!
Helen Biron: I took up flying in 1985 at forty years of age.
I was on a date with a handsome man by the name of Norm.
After the meal we went cruising like the kids did, and ended
up at Lakeview Airport. Before long we were exploring the
hangars and talking with the folks at the FBO. I was expressing
how I always loved the idea of flying. The idea of being
“one” with the sky and the freedom one must feel. With
the encouragement of Norm I started flying lessons. I had
absolutely no back ground or natural skills as my very young
instructor soon pointed out.
It took me eight months and forty hours to solo. I was frustrated
and ready to forget it all. That weekend Norm read an
article written about 84 year old Edna Gardner Whyte. Impressed
by the article we decided to drive to North Texas Regional,
then Aero Valley to meet her. After spending several
hours with Edna she agreed to take me on as a student. Inside
of three months I had my private license. What a great
new world I had discovered, flying was fun again. By the
fall of 1987, I started going to the Denton, TX Airport, where
I made lots of friends and flew in many types of airplanes.
In 1991, I started my instrument training and bought my
Cherokee Warrior, it had a 180 horse power conversion with
a constant speed prop.
After I received my instrument rating in 1992, I flew to
22 FLY-FAST • 2013
nearly every State, Canada, Bermuda and the Grand Cayman.
I logged 1500 hours before selling the Cherokee in
2011.
Norm Biron: When Helen started flying I supported her
aviation activities and enjoyed flying with her but I didn’t
have a great desire to be a pilot. We flew the Cherokee to
Oshkosh several times which stirred my interest in aviation
and building a airplane. In 1998, I decided to semi-retire
which gave me the time that I needed to build an airplane.
I have always enjoyed working with my hands and building
things.
When I was young I assembled models, and as I got older
I became involved in model airplane clubs. I starting researching
kit manufacturers and acquiring the skills I would
need for building my plane. Helen and I flew the Cherokee
to Oshkosh with the purpose of buying a kit to build. After
visiting most of the kit manufacturers I narrowed my selection
to the GlaStar. Helen sealed the deal after flying the
GlaStar, a two seater.
The instructions that came with the kit were very good and
the internet support network for the GlaStar was exceptional.
When I reached the firewall forward section of the in-
Cont’d on page 25
www.trojanphlyers.com
Come race with
us and the SARL
2013 • FLY-FAST
23

“Rookie from Canada finds
O’ Canada . . . . the winters are long and dark here, so when
not “ice fishing” there is plenty of time to work on airplanes I
live near Calgary, Alberta( just north of Montana) in a landscape
and economy that shares many traits with Denver and
Texas. We have the great Canadian Rocky Mountains to the
west and large natural resources to fuel our existence. Calgary
was home to the Winter Olympics in 1988 and for the
past 100 years has hosted the Calgary Stampede each July.
The area is a great home with many interesting places to fly.
Fassssssssst!”
By Bill “Sparky” Beaton, C-GRLO, Race 57
of the first race were great and many. Red Hamilton’s Whitman
Tailwind amazed me. It was quite entertaining on the
last leg when I finally caught him. With newbie adrenaline
for the chase my hand, unconsciously, pushed the throttle
up to wide-open for an attempted pass. I was hooked and
the quest for finding speed mods began! My baseline was
241 mph.
After several years of semi-retirement, I have recently become
the President of John Hopkinson & Associates, Canada’s
largest, oldest and most trusted jet brokers and appraisers.
This lets me live a dream of going to the airport every
day, hanging around with pilots and aviation supporters,
everyday, and talking about airplanes and business, everyday.
My weeks are quite heavily filled, but I still take joy in
jumping into the Rocket and heading off to a customer visit.
The recent race experience always makes a great conversation
piece with the Citation clients and those venturing onto
the ramp for a closer look at Race 57.
This coming season, Red, White and Loud will meet the flyers
from the Red, White and Blue for a new round of bragging
rights. My goal is to safely push up against 265 mph
and further develop my skills. I am also hoping to have a
date with the Reno pylon racing school in mid-June.
If my life commitments permit, I plan to host a Canadian
SARL event near Calgary in 2014 and throw down the
gauntlet for a two race(Montana and Alberta), cross-border
Can-AM Aviators Cup.
Norm and Helen Biron
Cont’d from page 22
Air Racers
structions it simply read, build it. My solution to this was to
copy the firewall forward design of the Cherokee. I ended up
with a 0-360 engine and constant speed prop. I installed the
Superior XP 0-360 engine which I also built at their factory
in Coppell, TX. Having an electrical engineering background
I designed my own electrical system and instrument panel.
The GlaStar has a dual electrical system, Dynon all glass
cock pit and a Garmin GPS/radio stack. Since the airplane
is a GlaStar I just had to include a star in the paint scheme
and call it L’Etoile, which is French for The Star.
Air Racers: When Helen and I showed up at the North
Texas Regional Airport for the 2010 Grace Flight Air Race
we had no intentions of flying in the race. We just wanted
to find out what the Sport Air Racing League was all about
and watch the race. As soon as we arrived everyone assumed
that we were there to race and soon had a race number assigned
and us registered. We flew the race, had a lot of fun,
and enjoyed meeting the other racers. We were hooked and
now try to make as many races that we can. As it turns out,
the GlaStar is not competitive in the FX Blue Class so we
just try to improve our performance and beat our best time
in every race. Maybe someday another GlaStar will show up
to race, one can only hope.
As a mid-life diversion, I learned to fly at the Calgary Flying
Club (established in 1927) in 2005 and really caught the
bug. I have now flown to all the reaches of North America
and Mexico logging about 1800 hours in 8 aircraft types. My
time capsule of choice is a 1998 Harmon Rocket II, taildragger,
built by three time builder, Gary Banducci, of Bakersfield,
CA. Gary’s attention to detail and coaching from personal
friend, John Harmon, gave me an aircraft that has far
more potential than I ever knew. Having travelled in light
aircraft quite extensively, my interest in flying seemed to
have reached a plateau. I dappled in aerobatics and formation
flying as well as volunteering for mercy flights and civil
air search and rescue. In the spring of 2012, it was decided
to give open course air racing a try.
My “rookie” season took me and “Red, White and Loud” to
six more races with some frantic minor mods between races
to find another mph. My lackluster turn performance also
demanded some practice on “carving” corners. A couple of
Sport FX class wins spurred on expectations of a show down
with the fastest flyers in my class. I spent tens of hours researching
drag reduction, engine performance and prop options,
only to find most mods would not be quick to implement.
I gladly threw away my accountant’s ledger to become
a closet aero dynamist, studying all sorts of theories and experiments.
To keep improving, I now have polished, taped
and tweaked the bird that loves to fly fast. Some fiberglass
work and lessons from the Canadian speed skunkworks are
being worked up for the off season.
I resolved to try a close race in Ephrata, WA, so in June
the indoctrination began. Read the SARL rules and the prerace
package, fueled up and decided on a pre-race plan to
run stock at 25 squared. The host hospitality and friendly
rivalry made a big impression on me. Of course, the lessons
24 FLY-FAST • 2013
The season was capped off with a 257 mph run at Wickenburg
AZ and an underdog win! Now that got me jacked. The
season highlight was pulling through the signature turn, the
fire lookout tower, at the Pappy Boyington Memorial Cup.
Many fond memories, budding friendships and a new purpose
to my flying.
2013 • FLY-FAST
25

I Race
The
“Slug”
Publisher
Ralph McCormick
Race Editor
Pat Purcel
Photographer
Jo Hunter
SARL Chairman
Mike Thompson
Cover Photo by Jo
Hunter of plane owned
by Chuck Wallace
Vans RV-8 Dallas TX
N882Z
FLY-FAST is a Subsidiarity of FLY-LOW Publications and Sport Air Racing League (SARL).
Racing For The Rest Of Us!!!
FLY-FAST
A Yearly Racing Publication
Contact Info
FLY-FAST Publications
www.fly-fast.us ralph@fly-fast.us
479-970-1001
Sport Air Racing League
www.sportairrace.org
chairman@sportairrace.org
The Sport Air Racing League exists to promote open course air racing for experimental
and production aircraft.
Publisher’s liability for damages resulting from errors in any advertising that is published or from its failure to publish any advertisement that it has agreed to publish shall be limited to the amount actually received by FLY-LOW in
consideration for its agreement to publish the advertisement in question. It shall not be responsible for any consequential damages suffered by any party. All flight information printed in this publication is printed for informational
purposes only and should not be used for navigation. Pilots must determine safe procedures from Federal Aviation Administration sources. Please refer to all FAA publications for navigation. We assume no responsibility for
data, reviews, airport information, safety stories, or advertisements. We do not knowing publish false information. It is the reader’s responsibility to verify any advertised information. Editorials by authors are not necessarily the
view or opinions of FLY-LOW. All rights reserved. Any correspondence with Fly-Low Publications, articles and photography, become the property of Fly-Low Publications. Fly-Low Publications may exit content and images.
By Richard Kaczmarek
I was lucky growing up in a family that loved general aviation
and remember our weekends were always spent at Mad
River Airport (I54), a 3000’ grass runway. This was back in
the mid ‘70s and every weekend my family would fly somewhere
for breakfast or lunch or an air show. I learned to fly
in the family Cessna 172 and life has never been the same
since. I have a passion for flying. Flying always makes a
bad day great.
I work for G.E. Aviation as a non-destructive testing technician
and at this time I am working hard to also get my new
company on its feet, it is called Fast Little Airplanes and we
are reproducing new Quickie aircraft and parts. My wife and
four children are supportive of all my aviation endeavors. I
own several aircraft, but my pride and joy is my Quickie Tri-
Q that is undergoing a major rebuild and I hope to have it
flying this summer.
The plane will be painted pink and as we travel to different
shows we will have the breast cancer survivor sign on the
plane. My mother is a 14 year cancer survivor.
The plane I plan to race this year is a 1968 PA-28-140 we
call the “Slug” not because it is slow but to how ugly she was
when I bought her. She sat on the ramp for 6 years and has
13,000 hours and now she has a good home and will be a race
plane.
Sam Hoskin’s, Quickie Race #22, got this all started for me.
26 FLY-FAST • 2013
I would watch his blogs and could see the fun he was having.
I just had to try it out. This last year was not good for
me and Piper between weather keeping from getting to races
and mechanical issues. I never got to race. However, I did
take on the job as the host for the MERFI 150 and just had a
great time getting it setup and making it run smoothly. The
group of pilots that show up for these races are really great
folks and very supportive to the host and anyone thinking
they might like to try putting on an event. After MERFI,
“Racer Bob” Axsom became my hero. So this year, I want to
bring a second race to Ohio since we don’t seem to have many
races in this area and with the cost of aviation fuel the little
Piper makes it hard to travel to the Texas races; not to mention
that I am a VFR pilot. With the support the Marysville
community gives to the airport I figured, “Why not and let’s
add a worthy cause.” We are working with the local amateur
radio club since it looks like they have a way for us to show
the race in action to the public. I do hope this will be a help
to the Sport Air Racing League and in getting the public involved.
I am beginning to think that being a host is as much
fun as being a racer.
Editors note: The second MERFI 150 is scheduled
for August 24, 2013 and Richard is organizing
and selecting a date for his second race
of the season at this time.
We also offer many other
accessories for your aircraft like
custom vinyl graphics, firewall
insulation kits, paint protection
film, weather strip, metalworking
tools, oil filter cutters, Brightline
flight bags, exo2, heated clothing,
and Vedalo sunglasses. We also
offer top-notch leather jackets by
Alpha Industries and Airborne
Leather…
and much more!
2013 • FLY-FAST
27

There are more and more air races appearing on Event Calendars
and in the news and your interest has been peaked.
Air racing sounds like a great way to get out and fly among
your peers but…….air racing Could I actually be an air
racer The answer is, YES!
Air racing does fall into two very distinct formats. The
closed course pylon racing and the open course cross country
races. Any pilot can be an open course cross country air
racer. To fly the pylons on the closed course requires special
training and certification. Let’s talk about “racing for the
rest of us”, the cross country venue.
Cross country air racing can best be described as “The Sport
of Flying”. The airplane is mainly used for purposeful transportation.
A private pilot has demonstrated the ability to
fly cross country. Racing puts those skills to the test and
participation will serve to improve those skills. Aircraft will
be kept in peak condition and the builders will work to better
their designs.
Pilots strive to fly that perfect cross country while adhering
to all the FAR’s Each aircraft is individually timed on
courses that range from 100 miles to 2500 miles. The goal is
to cover the prescribed course in the shortest amount of time.
Your score is your groundspeed. Racing places a pilot in the
company of other pilots. Pilots with all levels of experience
fly every type of aircraft imaginable. The camaraderie, the
sharing of knowledge among race pilots is a prize awaiting
all.
All this is sounding interesting. You are a pilot. You love
to fly and have an airplane. Then the question arises, is my
airplane is a race plane. Any aircraft
with fixed wings and a propeller is eligible
to take part.
The competition is classed so aircraft
of like engine horsepower, cubic inch
displacement and landing gear configuration
race against one another. To
make the classes as equitable as possible
they are divided into three categories:
Experimental, Factory and Heavy
Metal. Planes with experimental
airworthiness certificates such as the
Vans, Glasair, Lancair are experimental.
Factory models carry normal, utility
certificates and include the Cessna,
Pipers, Mooneys and Beechcraft.
Heavy Metal embraces our classics and
war birds and may have certificates as
experimental, exhibition and normal/
28 FLY-FAST • 2013
SO YOU WANT TO BE
A RACER
By Pat Purcell
utility. If you own a much beloved Cessna 182 or you have
just completed building your dream machine, a Vans RV8,
there is a class for you. The Diamond DA20, trainer is a top
competitor in class and can be seen in the race pits alongside
a majestic P-51 Mustang.
You have decided to enter your first race and want to get
ready. Your must be a current pilot with current medical
and BFR. You should be ready to plan a very precise cross
country and have that plan done before your arrival at the
event. In planning your flight profile climbs and descents
between the turns need to be carefully plotted (race day
winds forecast will require final decisions) and making the
turns is a key to success. Test fly your plane to determine
the best way to make turn; do I go for the best rate of turn
and go slower or do I make the best radius to carry speed
Your plane needs to be in annual and all AD’s complied with.
You must have liability insurance. If you are not a home
builder but want to prepare your plane for racing there are
some simple things you can do. A clean and waxed plane
means a knot or two. Removing any unneeded drag. Taping
gaps, check compression and timing, check rigging and
clean and gap those plugs. If you are a homebuilder then
you can set your plane up to ‘go fast’ anyway you wish. Pilot
builders have produced some amazing aircraft in their quest
for speed while still having these planes serve their everyday
flying needs. Racers are very happy to share ideas and assist
one another and there is a tremendous amount of support
and knowledge there for the asking. You can come to a race
without doing anything ‘special’ to your plane and see how
fast it will go with careful flight planning and your precise
piloting and have a great experience.
Cross country air racing is not all about winning. It is
about challenging yourself and seeing what your plane will
do against others in class. When the checkered flag drops,
the pilots gather to tell of their experiences and share ideas
with one another. There is rarely any prize money but
awards are given out along with prizes and there is always
plenty of food. The Sport Air Racing League sanctions races
and there is an annual Championship Point competition.
You need to be a League member to take part in sanctioned
events. Racers receive points when they race and at the end
of the season trophies are awarded to the top three in each
category.
There is one major handicap cross country air race that
takes place annually. It is the 2500 mile All Women’s Air
Race Classic. The handicap format is time honored and allows
all aircraft to compete in the same class. Planes race
against their own top speed which is their handicap. The
fastest in relationship to their handicap wins. This is all
about piloting skill and is highly competitive.
There are events all over the United States and sometimes
in Canada. Races are published on aviation event calendars
and promoted in local media and in aviation news both electronic
and printed. Visit the Sport Air Racing League web
site for all race listings. Join the Sport Air Racing League
and you will have hundreds of race pilots ready to answer
your questions and mentor you. The cross country racing
experience is a totally positive one and is accessible and affordable.
Come Race
With Us!
You’ll Love
it!
www sportairrace.org
Grove,
Oklahoma
SARL
Grove Municipal Airport,
Vertical Performance,
LLC and the
Grove Airport
Support Organization.
Races
two races
June 1
Grove Speed Challenge
October 26
Grove Air Race
For Race Info
Lisa Jewett-Airport Manager
918-786-6150
groveairport@groveemail.com
www.grovemunicipalairport.com
Transportation
will be available
to and from
hotel. Special
hotel rates for
racers.
Andrew Burr- Vertical Performance, LLC.
(FBO) 918-786-6159 - 570-470-7277
verticalperformance@yahoo.com
www.burrbuiltdesigns.com
2013 • FLY-FAST
29

Cleveland’s 3rd Air Race Revival
SARL
Cleveland
Texas
6R3
281.592.1282
Race day October 12
We Support Aviation and Racing
When you’re passing close, stop in.
"Catch us if you can!"
The Elyminator, Race 55
1979 Grumman AA5-A "Cheetah"
Flown by Team Ely, Mike & Linda, of Liberty, Texas
Sport Air Racing League Stats:
Class Speed Recordholder
2012 Season Gold Champions
& Factory 5FX Class Champions
2010 Factory 5 Class Champions
fly6r3@yahoo.com
WHO CAN
JOIN
YOU!!!
Anyone may join the league, pilot or not, aircraft owner or
not.. (non-pilots are not charged a membership fee)
Benefits of Joining:
SARL Members:
• Register their aircraft once and may use their SARL
race number in any SARL-affiliated race (apply numbers
once and be done!).
• Enjoy the opportunity to race more often, as the
League promotes and helps organize races around the country.
• Keep track of future race events, and results of completed
race events.
• Can get in touch with other race nuts across the
country.
• Keep track of their season League standing for National
Championship honors, and
• Monitor the opposition!
How To Join
To join all we need is a completed registration and a race
number leasing fee of $50.00.
You will have the opportunity to renew your lease for your
race number at the beginning of each year.
Fifty years old
and we’re still
turning heads.
The 50 TH Annual Reno Air Races
September 11-15, 2013
Join us in Reno for the 50th year of high speed, low
flying air racing, air shows, aerobatics performances
and other sky-high thrills.
Featuring performances by the Patriot Jet Team
30 FLY-FAST • 2013
Photo credit: Blair McFarlain
of HoustonSpotters.net
S.A.R.L. will hold your registration information in confidence,
though certain contact details will be available on the
Member’s Page behind password protection. This will allow
members to get in touch with each other, and to see who the
competition is.
If you will be racing, you must choose a race number. Duplicates
are probable, so just choose one you like.
GO TO www.sportairrace.org
www.airrace.org
2013 • FLY-FAST
31

Fly fast on race day. Fly fun every day.
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Experience the astonishing visibility and agile handling
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North Little Rock Municipal Airport (KORK)
SIRIUS
SEAREY
32 FLY-FAST • 2013
SportairUSA, LC, is an FAA certificated repair station and a US distributor of fine aircraft and avionics.