FORMULA

FORUM THE IF1 JOURNAL

2006

2007

MARCH/APRIL 2010 FORMULA FORUM Volume XXI Number 2 IF1 INC. Formula Forum © 2010 EXECUTIVE TOM DEHART International Formula One COMMITTEE Technical Director Pylon Air , Inc. All 5220 Walton Dr. SMOKEY YOUNG rights reserved. Klamath Falls, OR 97603 President 541-882-1589 Formula Forum is the offi cial 13089 Peyton Dr. C136 fl yfastfl ylow@fi reserve.net publication of International Chino Hills, CA 92709 Formula One Pylon Air 909-548-0974 JACK SUIERVELD Racing, Inc., a Texas non-profi t fl [email protected] Technical Rules Committee corporation. Member of the Air Chairperson DOUG BODINE 216 Lemmon Drive Racing Council of the United Vice President States. Published bi-monthly. Reno, NV 89506 821 E. Centennial St. [email protected] Rapid City, SD 57701 DISCLAIMER Articles appearing herein may 605-393-7112 ED DUTREAUX be edited and are the opinion of mei.cfi [email protected] Procedure Rules Committee the authors and not necessarily * Chairperson the opinion of IF1 Inc. MARK A. JOHNSON 840 Jefferson Ct. Secretary/Treasurer San Mateo, CA 94401 FORUM Send contributions to: 1670 Yosemite Ave. #104 650-347-6297 Simi Valley, CA 93063 CONTRIBUTIONS Editor, Lista Duren [email protected] 818-519-6402 3233 Via Alicante #48 markajohnson59@yahoo. KIRK MURPHY La Jolla, CA 92037 com Pilot Committee Chairperson Phone: 858-452-7112 6140 Christa Lynn Pl. Cell: 858-442-1811 DIRECTORS Prescott, AZ 86310 E-mail: [email protected] 928-710-3105 All contributions remain BOB BEMENT [email protected] Operations Director property of Formula Forum. JAY JONES 7320 Old Stage Trail Promotions Committee Kelsey, CA 95667 MEMBERSHIP Membership in IF1 is open Chairperson 530-622-1434 to pilots, owners, crews and P.O. Box 761 technical people active in [email protected] Buena Vista, CO 81211 Formula One Air Racing for 719-661-4484 *Note new email address $60/yr. Anyone may join as a [email protected] above for Doug Bodine. non-voting Associate Member, $35/yr. Applications available from the secretary or on-line. CONTENTS RULES For IF1 Technical and Procedure rules, check on-line at: 3 President’s Page Smokey Young WEBSITE www.if1airracing.com 5 Vice President’s Report Doug Bodine Jim Cunningham, Webmaster 6 Sec/Treas Input Mark Johnson [email protected] 7 Pilot’s Notes Kirk Murphy COVER PHOTOS 7 Calendar 8 N603R Evolution Gene Hubbard In 2006 (top), Zipper looked like Aggressor with new paint. In 2007 (bottom), George 10 Zipper the Racer George Andre André completely rebuilt the plane that would 13 Carbon Monoxide Mark Johnson become Invictus in 2008. Stories pp. 8 & 10. 13 IF1 Family News Photos by John Garrett (top) and Bill Rogers 13 IF1 Web Site Interrupt (bottom). 14 IF1 Marketplace

2 FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 President’s Page: Class Presidents Meeting have just returned from the annual 3. Trailer Access During Races Smokey Young I Reno Air Race Association Class The third item on our breakout list Presidents meeting. As usual, we was access to our trailers. Last year discussed many items pertinent to the our trailers were placed in an area class and to the as that some people considered off limits an event. Of course one of the main during races. We pointed out that our issues discussed, and one that seems crews need unhindered access to these to get the most attention from the trailers during race week as we use membership, is purse. them for tools and spare parts storage.

As can be expected, ticket sales and Along with this, I brought up the Photo by Bill Rogers sponsorship were down in 2009. In fact that there is some inconsistency fact overall revenue for the event was in badges for authorized security down $300,000 from the previous personnel. Does anyone with an FAA year. However RARA has committed badge have the authority to restrict to keep the class purses at last year’s movement of a properly credentialed levels. This is good news for us crew member? We had one instance and shows the air race association’s where a pylon judge tried to stop one I brought up commitment to keeping the races as of our pilots from going to his trailer. the fact that fi nancially viable as possible for the there is some owners. If someone is properly credentialed as Security, please don’t argue with inconsistency In class breakouts fi ve specifi c items them. Follow directions. The problem in badges for were reviewed: arises when people with no, or limited authorized 1. Relief Stations at Race Start authority start to create problems for security our crews. If you are in the right, personnel. While it may seem a bit ridiculous, I won’t tolerate it and neither will I brought up the need for a portable RARA. I think this year will be better restroom at the end of Runway 08. than last. By being pleasant and While staging for our races we can professional you make it easier for me spend up to an hour out at the end of to defend you. the runway. This year we will have a spot for relief that doesn’t involve 4. Maydays public exposure and the risk of being The fourth item we discussed was labeled a sex offender in the state of Maydays. Whenever an pulls . up off the course, rescue crews go 2. Contest Committe Airfi eld Access on alert. It is assumed that you have an emergency. What happens next The second thing we discussed was is that everyone from Race Control a need for our contest committee to Fire and Rescue is expecting the volunteers to have a credential that pilot to radio intentions. This allows allows them access to their stations airfi eld personnel to properly assist on the airfi eld. Again, RARA has you. There is consternation with IF1 committed to supply us with the proper because we have had pull off credentials for all of our volunteers. the course and never radio intent.

FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 3 President’s Page: The Class Presidents Meeting (continued) Bill Eck made the statement “Maydays In exchange, any time we pull off are free.” Now Bill is a great guy the course prior to completion of the but I had to disagree with him. Our end of a race, airfi eld personnel will airplanes are exotic and fragile. There automatically consider it a Mayday. I explained to are 100 man hours in my wheel pants 5. Participation Bill that part of alone. I explained to Bill that part of the reluctance the reluctance we have to declaring is The last item we discussed was our we have to a desire not to have recovery personnel level of participation. Right now we declaring is a manhandling our airplanes. have one probable for PRS in June. RARA is concerned about our ability desire not to Dragging “Madness” into the gravel to fi ll the fi eld. I assured the staff that, have recovery can do unintentional damage that as a group, we are doing everything personnel can take months to repair. The same possible to encourage new racers and manhandling holds true of most of our raceplanes, get veterans to return. Economic times our airplanes. especially the ones Gold. are tough and everyone knows that RARA and recovery in particular racing is an expensive hobby. though has a requirement to keep the runway clear during a race. If you are reading this as a potential racer, send me an email. We’d love to It would be ideal is if we could see you at PRS. If you are a veteran, dispatch our own crews to recover get that airplane ready. We need you our airplanes. This isn’t possible. in the fall. IF1 rookies touring However this year IF1 will be able in John Hall’s RV-8, As always I will close by saying, if fi rst-time to supply crew members (tentatively racers, empty stands. Tech inspectors) to ride with the you need help drop me a line. We will Must be PRS, the recovery crews during our races. This do anything we can to help get you to only chance to get allows us to have someone familiar Reno and keep you racing. course time without with Formula One aircraft on hand the pressures of race —Smokey week. It’s June 16-19. to get our airplanes off the runway. Photo by Birgitta Nurmi Photo by Birgitta

4 FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 VP Report: PRS – Not Just for Rookies ast issue I talked about the At PRS, IF1 also conducts initial and Doug Bodine Lvalue of fl ying your plane, and (3-yr) recurring race pilot qualifi cation encouraged all Formula One pilots to checks. These are the minimums. If take advantage of their hard-earned your schedule will permit it, though, privilege of fl ying a thoroughbred why not consider PRS every year? race plane. These IF1s are remarkable little critters—not only for their For prospective pilots, PRS is a chance performance, but also for how well to build a knowledge base, see some they handle. They can also be like of the aircraft in the fi eld, and network a second language—a short time to with the race community. For veteran learn, but a lifetime to master. racers, it is not only the best race prep Photo by Bill Rogers you can get, it can be a very enjoyable, This issue I’ll mention another way to fl ying-centered mini-vacation in a stay sharp in the off season—training. great location at a perfect time of the If you are near an airport that offers year to visit. aerobatic or upset attitude training, consider yourself fortunate. This The academics are comprehensive, is a great way to hone skills and it and tweaked every year. What a great transfers very well to racing, but it can way to get up to speed on the latest be hard to fi nd in some locations. rules and procedures! Another option is getting your The fl ying environment is relaxed and formation card or some add-on casual, not driven by the race timeline and an event staff worried about keep- PRS is a formation training. The crosscheck chance to build and management of geometry ing 275,000 fans happy. exercised in simple formation a knowledge Most importantly, the runways and base, see some maneuvers, such as rejoin overruns race course are exactly like the ones and position changes, is a great way to you use during NCAR week. You of the aircraft keep the mold off of your racing skills. can dissect all of the emergency in the fi eld, This also can be diffi cult to fi nd, so if procedures, alternate starts, and race and network you have it available in your area, you procedures with your fellow pilots with the race are again fortunate. None of these, over a beverage. community. however, can compare with Pylon Best of all, if you bring a plane, you Racing School (PRS). get some thrilling laps at race speeds Who must attend? PRS is required for and altitudes, with full approval of the a pilot or alternate pilot who falls into FAA and a chance to get another set of one of the following categories: eyes across your aircraft before tech. 1. Never raced at the National Finally if you have an alternate Championship Air Races (NCAR) in pilot, or want to get your team some Reno. practice, PRS is the place. The 2. Raced in a different race class at deadline is 20 May 2010, so keep it in NCAR at Reno. your crosscheck. —Jethro 3. Not raced in the same race class in Reno within the past three races. FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 5 Secretary/Treasurer Input Mark Johnson esults are in from our procedure and associate members have renewed Rtechnical rules proposed revisions for 2010—about 60%. I will be ballot. We received 37 responses—a sending out reminder e-mails to those pretty good turnout. The voting results who have not yet renewed. We also are tabulated below. currently have 37 airplanes registered. I have verifi ed these results against I was in Florida in February and had our membership list and will retain a rare afternoon off. I dropped in the ballots as required in our bylaws. on Thom Richard at the Kissimmee Some members voted only on the tech Warbird Museum. Thom took the time rules or procedure rules, but there was from his busy day to show me around Photo by Lista Duren an equal number of each, so all totals and give some info on the displays and balance and equal 36. These rules will interesting projects. This is truly a fi rst become effective February 1, 2011 in class operation and I can recommend I will be accordance with bylaw 19.1. it to anyone. While you’re there get a sending out ride in one of the immaculate T-6s they Out of our end-of-2009 membership operate. Thanks, Thom! reminder of 96 total members, 41 full and 14 e-mails to those — Mark Johnson who have not RULES REVISION VOTING RESULTS yet renewed. TTechnicalechnical RRulesules For Against Result 1.5 Engine aspiration 34 2 Passed 1.6.1.6 Electric Fuel Pumps 32 4 Passed 1.8.1 Cylinders 34 2 Passed 1.10.1 Smoothing of metal parts 33 3 Passed 1.12.2.1 Valve guide seals 34 2 Passed 1.13.1 Ignition Systems 33 3 Passed 1.13.4 Spark Plugs 34 2 Passed PProcedurerocedure RRulesules For Against Result 3.1.1 IF1 add membership requirement 34 2 Passed 3.3.4 Add IF1 membership requirements 34 2 Passed 3.3.4.1.A.2 IF1 membership part of paper review 33 3 Passed 3.3.4.C Renewal of racing license for 28 8 Passed signifi cantly different aircraft 3.6.1.2 Add IF1 membership requirement 34 2 Passed 3.6.2 IF1 membership required for 34 2 Passed inspection Appendix Add IF1 membership requirement 34 2 Passed C.A.2 Editor’s Note: These rule changes will NOT take effect before the races this September. Before they do go into effect (on 2/1/11) your editor is requesting that IF1 directors and/or committee chairs provide information in the Forum about the changes and their impact on race planes and race procedures. 6 FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 Pilot’s Notes ello Racers. It’s already the middle Just like last year, enrollment is $800 Kirk Murphy Hof March and the 2010 PRS (Pylon for rookies and racers out of currency Racing Seminar/Rookie School) is and $600 for current (certifi ed) racers. only THREE months away. The dates We will have at least one instructor for this year’s PRS are Wednesday, aircraft again this year. The price per June 16th through Saturday, June 19th. ride will be $100 to help defer some The entry packets can be found online of the cost for fuel and the insurance at www.airrace.org. Completed forms policy covering passenger liability. are due Thursday, May 20th. Depending on the number of students, additional rides may be available at a Last year’s PRS was another great lower cost. success and I am beginning to plan Photo by Lista Duren this year’s event as you are reading RARA has also set aside a block of this. This year we are so lucky to have rooms. We are back at the Eldorado John Housley back to teach the ground again (details are in the PRS school. For those of you who have not application package). Please remind seen his presentation, it’s wonderful. all of your friends about PRS and sign ...talk to your up sooner rather than later so we have pals who At this date I know of only one fi rm time to plan and make this the best have shown participant for PRS. It is still too early experience possible for everyone! and nearly impossible to forecast how interest in many students we will actually have, Now get your airplanes out and go fl y! racing and get so I am not quite sure as of yet who the I haven’t talked to all that many people them to PRS. instructors will be. I am planning on since September, but I am sure most Remember, attendance similar to last year, so we of us have done nothing. It’s not only there are some will be staffed appropriately. good exercise for the pilot; it’s good really nice for these machines to leave earth on As of now I am a little concerned a regular basis. Most importantly it’s Formulas for about the number of racers we will FUN, so go fl y and be safe! sale right now! have in September, so it is very —Kirk important that we get more new blood involved in International Formula One. We already know that a few 2010 Calendar racers will not be coming in September so talk to your pals who have shown Now PRS entry packets at airrace.org interest in racing and get them to PRS. May 20 Application deadline for Pylon Remember, there are some really nice Racing Seminar. Formulas for sale right now! Apr 30 - May 1 26th Annual International Air Racing History Symposium, Brookpark, Cleveland, Ohio. June 16-19 Pylon Racing Seminar at Reno Stead Field.

Photo by Birgitta Nurmi Photo by Birgitta Sep 15-19 Reno Air Races Jay Jones lands Quadnickel after placing 6th in Heat 1A at Reno in 2009. FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 7 N603R Below the Radar Gene Hubbard ome winnning Formula One racers In 1991, Hep sold N603R to Rick Sstart slow, then catch up with their Todd. The designation #57 Knotty competition years later. N603R is one Boy began to appear on the race record of these, staying way below the radar when Todd placed fourth in the Bronze for over 15 years, then taking another that year at a speed of 194.5 mph, 15 to start winning at Reno. with a listing as a “new” aircraft. For N603R, the race was fi nally on. Calvin Russell of Boise, ID built the plane in the mid 70s, and obtained its Rick Todd continued to modify #57 Photo by Lista Duren fi rst airworthiness certifi cate on July Knotty Boy, installing a high-aspect- 7, 1976. Intending to race at Reno, ratio horizontal stablizer and a longer Russell obtained the race number “03” engine mount for the 1992 race, and from PRPA. He had hoped to get the a new cowling and prop extension registration number N03R to go with for 1993. These mods brought #57’s his race number, but it wasn’t available speed solidly above 200 mph and The designation and he settled for N603R instead. usually into the silver races. Todd put #57 Knotty #57 on the market just before the 1994 Between 1977 and 1986, the plane was Boy began to races, and let Ray Sherwood fl y the sold three times—to Howard Naylor plane in the 1995 and 1996 events. appear on the (Boise, ID), Scott Morris (Evansdale, race record IA) and Doug Hamblin (Corvallis, Years later, Ray Sherwood described when Todd OR). In that time it acquired 100 a series of events in an interview with placed fourth hours of fl ight time, and the original Silver State News Service. On the in the Bronze McCauley 62x62 prop was replaced last lap of a race at Boundary Bay in with a Waranke 61x64 inch prop. Canada in August 1996, #57 suddenly [in 1991] at a There is no record that any of these pitched down and lost pitch authority. speed of 194.5 owners raced the plane. Hamblin kept The plane recovered by itself and Ray mph. the aircraft only a few months, and fi nished the race, attributing the event sold it to Hep Porter in September ‘86. to dirty air. Hep fl ew 603R from Weed airport In September 1996 at Reno, Ray (about 30 south of the OR line) qualifi ed at over 217 mph. However, home to Watsonville, and described in the fi rst heat race, he experienced it as the most unstable plane he had the pitch-down again on the back ever fl own. Something had to change. stretch of Lap 4. The plane recovered, He stripped 603R down to the frame Ray throttled back, let the rest of the for a total rebuild. New covering, fi eld pass, and landed safely. They new Kevlar cowling, and the repaired grounded #57 for the rest of race high-aspect ratio Wilson wing from week, except that Dave Morss spotted the recently damaged Okie Streaker. the plane in the last row of the Bronze N603R was sitting in Hep’s hangar fi nal so the team could claim a DNS waiting for a wing and engine details and get the last-place prize money. during the 1988 races when Hep decided he needed a plane NOW, and On inspection, it was determined that bought #43 Aero Magic from Jon the Wilson wing had delaminated, Sharp, starting his own racing career. and that at high speed, it fl exed and blanked the horizontal stabilizer. Rick 8 FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 by Gene Hubbard Todd cut up the wing and sold the rest a lot of work. Charlie sold Aggressor of the plane, along with the original to rookie Steve Temple in March 2005. slab Cassutt wing, to Robert Jones in Steve replaced the tail, recovered the December 1996. fuselage, added a new propeller and spinner, and qualifi ed at Reno 2005 at Jones renamed #57 Aggressor, and got over 241 mph, the best yet for #57. it back in the air at Reno ‘97. With For all of this work, Steve was the original slab wing, he qualifi ed at rewarded with a fi fth place Gold fi nish just under 200 mph and fi nished both in his rookie year. …nobody wants the Bronze and Silver races under to demonstrate 170 mph. Back to square one, but the After Reno, Steve took Aggressor the slowest next years would be better. In 1998 to Nation at Nellis AFB with a new Grove wing, the qualifying near Las Vegas. This was a airplane. speed was back over 217 mph and #57 “demonstration” race, but nobody fi nished in the middle of the Silver for wants to demonstrate the slowest the fi rst time. 1999 saw a fi rst place airplane. Halfway through the last Silver fi nish at 220 mph. In 2000 and lap, Steve noticed low oil pressure 2002 Jones raced in the Gold with and heavy vibration. Aggressor had speeds over 225 mph. thrown a rod and punched a hole in the crankcase. He pulled up and landed In August 2003, Jones sold Aggressor safely, but his engine was toast. to Charlie Greer, who aleady owned and fl ew #69 Miss B. Haven, also At this point, Steve already had his eye a mid-pack Gold racer. That year, on a languishing former winner, which Charlie borrowed engine parts from would become #87 Madness, and Aggressor to race #69 to a fourth-place George André, from the biplane class, fi nish in the Gold. In 2004, Charlie was looking to get involved in IF1. It ran both Gold racers, fl ying Miss B. was a match made in heaven, and in Haven himself while Robert Marshall March 2006, George hauled away #57, fl ew Aggressor at speeds in the 225- broken engine and all, for its most 230 mph range for sixth place overall. radical facelift yet. The only substantial change they made was to remove lead ballast from the fi rewall. Robert says the plane was “horrible in pitch, ridiculously sensitive at all speeds.” Charlie says, “All the fast ones are spooky light in pitch…you get used to it…brace your arm on your leg and don’t make any sudden moves.” Charlie also says that it fl ew better than Miss B. partly because the Grove wing “was straight and stalled straight ahead.” Aggressor in 2007 Regardless of handling characteristics, fl own by Steve running two planes in the same heat is Photo by Lista Duren Temple FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 9 Zipper the Racer — Pioneer of Invictus George “Zip” decided to fi nally get into racing about got through rookie school, packed the André I 35 years too late from when I had trailer and tugged it back to St Louis. my fi rst exposure to Reno. I was at Lockheed as a test pilot, working for Back at my home fi eld, I designed an the great Tony LeVier, and I fl ew to artifi cial stick feel system which made Reno with Tony for the 1966 races. handling bearable, and we set out to Also in that same long ago time prepare for my Reno debut in 2006. period, my fellow pilot at Lockheed Our only change that year was to cover was Darryl Greenamyer, who does the orange paint with bright yellow pretty well at Reno, and I remember and I was lucky enough to acquire the helping him on his fi rst Bearcat. race number of 1. We also renamed

Photo by Bill Rogers Even with this golden opportunity to the plane Zipper, the common name get involved, my interests somehow for the F-104 Starfi ghter that had been shifted to Air National Guard and other one of the planes I tested at Lockheed, mundane activities, so I lost out on so many years earlier. many years of great Reno racing fun. Two days before we were to leave for I bought #57 Aggressor from Steve Reno, on one of the last test fl ights, Temple at Minden NV, broken engine the engine suddenly quit at about 50 and all. At this time, Dave Morss was feet on takeoff due to a carburetor My only advertising a whole gaggle of engines malfunction, and I made the big error training was and engine parts for sale so I swung by of trying to get it back running by advice from my San Carlos and picked it all up, drove fi ddling with the mixture. Meanwhile to Minden, and got to work getting the airspeed dropped and soon, so old aerobatic did I, resulting in a sprung landing friend Ed #57 back in the air. The engine was built up by some ex-Ferrari mechanic gear leg. I saw Reno suddenly and Bowes who who wanted to see what he could do probably removed from my near term said these birds to a Continental four banger using plans. Unbelievably, in St. Louis, don’t slow ideas. I got the engine Missouri, I was able to borrow John down on fi nal. installed, it ran, and I taxied out for my Housley’s gear off of #43 Aero Magic fi rst fl ight in a Formula One racer. My and still get to Reno that year. We had only training was advice from my old a great time and fi nished second in aerobatic friend Ed Bowes who said Silver behind Jason Somes. these birds don’t slow down on fi nal. In 2007, we were determined to fi nish In all my years, I have never in the Gold. Complicating our plans fl own a plane with worse handling was the fact I had bought back a racing characteristics, especially in pitch biplane I had built from scratch in control. There was absolutely no stick 1986 and had sold to Larry Teuber, feel in pitch, no stick force gradient who raced it for two years as race #18, of any kind, and no centering either Wily Cock (a type of wild pheasant). in pitch or roll. The stick force was 2007 would fi nd us fi elding two racers identical at one G and at fi ve Gs. I got in two classes. two fl ights in at Minden, and left for With lots of advice from local St. Stead as rookie school was about to Louis aviation folks, including some begin. I suffered with the handling and real smart aero engineers from Boeing, 10 FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 by George “Zip” André we fi gured that Zipper could go faster with less drag. So the cutting began in an effort to reduce the wetted area. Nearly all the old fi berglass was destroyed and it was shocking to see the thickness and weight of some of the fairings we removed. We replaced most of the fi berglass with carbon fi ber. We lowered the fi rewall 3”,

and lowered the instrument panel and Photo by Carol Kerner canopy and rollbar 4-5”. We designed runs at St Louis’ 500 foot elevation. Lofting up the new, Off we went to Reno with high hopes. hopefully faster, aft and installed new wingroot and stab fuselage shape. fairings in addition to Sam James Our 2007 race year started with a 1400 carbon fi ber wheel pants. In all, we trailer pull to Reno. My faithful wound up taking about 50 pounds off crew chief, Frank Kerner was at hand the plane. I had a new canopy blown and we had an additional talented to match the new top fuselage profi le wrench turner in Jimmy Johnson, who the big secret to and lowered the turtledeck area to is now my biplane crew chief. We match the appearance of Gary Hubler’s our hoped-for qualifi ed fi fth behind Gary Hubler, speed would winner machine. David Hoover, Scotty Crandlemire, be the butcher But the big secret to our hoped-for and Jason Somes. Things were speed would be the butcher-like job we looking up and for once, we were like job we did did to the fuselage frame. Our airport fi rmly ensconced in the Gold fi eld. to the fuselage in St. Louis is the de-facto Monocoupe In consultation with our Boeing frame. capital of the world. Because they support group back in the Midwest, were built mostly in this area, there are we determined that the aft end of the more fl ying Monocoupes at our airport canopy was at an excessive slope. than anywhere else. The Monocoupe Following their directions as to angle, Working out the upper turtledeck shape was a very fast racer in the 1930s and chord, and length, we constructed one of its design secrets was the aft which will prove to be seven vortex generators and applied too severe. fuselage concave profi le. This is an early application of the drag reducing ‘pressure recovery’ idea seen on other high speed aero shapes. My intention was to borrow that aero idea and apply it to the Cassutt. After removing the fabric and discarding the old turtledeck, we severed all of the cross members of the steel tubular frame and reshaped the existing longerons to mimic the Monocoupe concave look. Resulting test fl ights showed we had picked up

about 15 mph over our previous speed Photo by Carol Kerner

FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 11 Continued: Zipper the Racer — Pioneer of Invictus, by George “Zip” André Vortex generators had a faster plane and it would be over fashioned from plastic if I made just one mistake, but Zipper beer cups contributed and I held on, scraped the pylons as to Zipper’s speed advantage. close as possible, and took home the second place trophy. Aside from the tragic events of that year, we were happy with Zipper’s performance. Along came Tim Neubert, in the market for a racer, and I sold Zipper, knowing I would soon be sorry and Photo by Carol Kerner them to the mini turtledeck. These sure enough, I was. Tim has become were skillfully made from Miller a good friend and I am unashamed to Highlife beer cups and we honestly claim some small credit for his and picked up a couple of miles per hour! Thom’s success in winning the Gold Along came With our light weight, the acceleration this past year. I will always consider off the start grid was great and in both Team Zipper a pioneer of Invictus. Tim Neubert, heats I was able to pass both David in the market and Scotty by pylon 1. for a racer, and I sold Zipper, Then on Gold heat 2A, I was following Gary and coming up on pylon one knowing I when the collision occurred with would soon be Jason. The sky before me was fi lled sorry and sure with debris from what I believed enough, I was. was shattered fi berglass in millions of pieces. Something large went by above me in about my 2 o’clock and then it was over. After landing, we found several small nicks on Zipper, and I considered myself very lucky. The Gold fi nal found David, Scotty and myself on row one. I was able Photo by Neal Nurmi The following chart to out-accelerate them and led for the George André fl ies Zipper to second place compares qualifi cation fi rst 2 laps, until David and Endeavour in 2007. The lightweight construction and speeds and fastest race blew past for the win. Scotty was on concave Monocoupe-inspired shape are keys speeds over the years to this plane’s abilty to get off the ground N603R has been racing. my tail the whole race and I knew he quickly and maintain position in the race. 250 Qual Speed 240 Fastest Race 230 220

210 — Slab Wing Speed (mph) 200 Knotty Boy Aggressor Zipper Invictus 190 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 12 FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 Carbon Monoxide — Beware! ’ve been fl ying and working on my exhaust stains at the upper surface of Mark Johnson ICassutt a lot lately, refi ning it & the wing on the rising propeller blade getting ready for racing. I had sealed side. Weather-stripping the cockpit up some gaps in the cockpit, making enclosure took care of the slight it pretty air tight, so I fi gured it was indications I was still getting. I watch time to check for CO. I installed the CO indicator pretty closely and one of those plastic indicators and have been CO free for over 10 hours. lo & behold; it turned black almost immediately on my next fl ight. There There have been some good articles in is a pretty good fresh air source, but the Forum on this subject in the past, but I fi gured a reminder might help. I this probably explained some post Photo by Lista Duren fl ight headaches. don’t know about you, but I sure don’t want to take a nap while fl ying this Next on the agenda was an extensive machine. CO is very sneaky as it is leak elimination program. My exhaust tasteless and odorless. There are some I installed one stacks are pretty short so I fi gured good portable detectors out there for of those plastic some CO was getting back into the less than $200 which would be good indicators and engine compartment. I sealed these for those who fl y multiple airplanes. lo & behold; as best I could and improved the At the very least, one of those plastic it turned black fi rewall-to-cowling seal. That helped indicators will warn you of impending some, but I was still getting a pretty doom. Just remember, that type has almost imme- solid CO indication. A fl ashlight in the to be replaced every three months. A diately on my cockpit in a dark hangar revealed an little creativity in looking for leaks next fl ight. unexpected number of fi rewall leaks. helps—they can be in unexpected I was also surprised at the amount of places. Let’s be safe out there! IF1 Family News HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE we published in the Nov/Dec Forum. Ray Cote says he is coming to PRS Mark Johnson wrote about CO in to fl y Holbrook Maslens’ #44 Judy, this issue. Who else has opinions or the Shoestring that carried Ray to two concerns to share? This publication Gold Championships (1984 and 1985) is a forum for discussing issues and Rumor has it that Dan Gilbert is bring- sharing information -- about props, ing Shadow II to PRS. Will the elusive rules, attract more racers to IF1, safety, Gilbert fi nally return? whatever’s on your mind. Let us hear from you! AIR RACING HISTORY SYMPOSIUM The 26th Annual International Air Rac- ing History Symposium will take place IF1 WEB SITE INTERRUPT in Cleveland, Ohio April 30 - May 1. We lost our website host due to hackers. Realizing For information, contact Don Berliner the importance of a strong web presence, the IF1 Vice at [email protected] President and webmaster are exploring options for reinstating it. Our desire is to get a new site up and WHAT DO YOU THINK? running as quickly as possible, to have a quality site, Ray Sherwood wrote a provocative and to do this at minimal cost to the organnization. letter about propeller safety which

FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 13 IF1 Marketplace AIRCRAFT FOR SALE PROJECT PARTS & PRODUCTS CASSUTT PROJECT Stock wing, aluminum gear, cleveland brakes. Contact: George Budde (405) 733-1449 [email protected]

Race #3 Sly Dog Western Air Race Special built in 1983. Aircraft has raced in the Formula 1 Gold since 2007. Race engine built by Pacifi c Continental Engines. RCATS telemetry system. Price $42,500. Pace cargo trailer, 27’ also available with interior set up to hold the aircraft, $6,500 Contact Smokey Young at (916) 715-8605 or fl [email protected]

Cassutt Racer Aircraft Kit/Project Plans. One piece wood spar. Welded fuselage frame (factory welded). Rudder complete…Horizontal Stab to be completed. All wing ribs complete. Aircraft plywood for wing covering. Fiberglass canopy frame. Steel landing gear with Goodyear brakes, tires & tubes. Suffi cient aircraft tubing, wood and plywood to complete the project. $3900 Contact: Laslo Zamolyi, Jr. Home: 610-746-2618 Cell: 610-746-2618 [email protected] EAA Chap. 70, EAA Technical Counselor

Miss Demeanor, N96SR, Race 96 Race ready FLYING Formula one: Battery, Alternator, Starter, GPS, GRT EIS, MicroAir Radio and encoding transponder, NEW CYLINDERS AND PISTONS IN 2005, ENGINE OVERHAUL by LyCon in 2006 W/ NEW CASE, CRANKSHAFT, VALVES, ETC. CASSUTT PARTS Twisted Composites race prop. Sturba cruise prop. Uninstalled National Aeronautics has Cassutt parts tapered horizontal stabilizer and elevators, produced by Craig including Aluminum and Steel landing Catto, designed to fl y with Miss Demeanor’s tapered wing. Sport gear legs. fl y during the year, race at Reno in September. Win the Silver, fl y cassutt.lornet.com in the Gold! All for $35,500. Contact: Contact: Ib or Sue Hansen Steve Senegal (650) 346-6967 [email protected] (303) 940-8442 [email protected] Prior to purchase of any aircraft, CCASSUTTASSUTT WANTEDWANTED Carbon Race Prop please contact the Looking for an entry level, basic Formula 54x65 Twisted Composite carbon race One airplane to race at Reno. Must Technical Director prop with balancing kit. Used only 12 comply with IF1 technical rules. for any IF1 rules times and in excellent shape. $1950.00 Contact Ira Saligman: (610) 324-5500 or compliance Contact: Adrian Coop Cooper (Philadelphia) items that may 604-328-1431 [email protected] apply. [email protected] 14 FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 If you have aircraft or other items for sale, or updates to your listing, please email Doug Bodine: [email protected] Ads are free as a service to members Racer Prop and Parts NAC Aircraft Display Mat (20ftx20ft) Great cruise prop and standby race prop. Plastic vinyl windscreen material with steel grommet boarder. Prince PC P tip (carbon fi bre over maple) Available colors: yellow, red, orange, green, blue, white, and black. 54 inch diameter with 66 pitch. This is Storage Bag Included a great accelerator and gets the plane of Price: $300.00 plus ground shipping the ground quickly. It is rated to 3890 Contact Tim Neubert 727.538.8744 rpm but I have not gotten past 3800 rpm [email protected] which gave my Cassutt 205mph at sea level. Condition is very good with a few NEW COMPOSITE PARTS small scratches. Make me an offer in the Light Weight 9” Spinners, $90 $500.00 range. I will also have mags, my Wheel Pants, $350. spare carburetor and two prop extensions CASSUTT PARTS: Assorted Tail Feathers, call for Quote. for sale - one 4 inch and one 8 inch Sabre LED Flashlights:Super Bright, Compact Size. Up to 155 hrs of run extension. Please call if any of this is of time on 2 AA Batteries, $32. interest: Coop. 604-328-1431 10% Discount to IF1 members [email protected] Contact: Ray Sherwood (530) 626-6106 [email protected]

Graphite Race Props Run One or Follow One Twisted Composites, LLC www.twistedcomposites.com Contact: Steve Hill (505) 832-1148 or (505)321-6467 [email protected]

Butler Emergency Parachute Purchased new in 2006 for $2800, offered at $1300. Excellent condition, maintained and stored properly. Equipped with Butler 450 LoPo reserve, which utilizes Butler’s unique slider assembly for properly staged openings. Available with fresh repack or open for your own inspection. Includes original Bill of Sale, Packing Manuals and Carrying Case. Contact Robert Marshall for more information: 760 533-0341 Cassutt Projects and Inventory Cassutt 111M, 90% complete. Needs cowl AIR RACING BOOKS by Robert Hirsch and wing fi nished. Includes REBUILT Aircraft of Air Racing’s Golden Age 1928-1939, engine. 2 Volumes, 1071 pages, 158 scale drawings: $75 + $10 S&H Cassutt 111M fully welded with tail assembly. Wedell-Williams Air Service Cassutt 111M wing needs skin. $20 + $3 S&H Cassutt 111M wing complete. Misc inventory: engine parts (3 O-200 Racers engines), airframe parts and instruments, Goodyear and Formula One Racing (thru 1995): one sport prop. $45 + $5 S&H for both, or $25 + $3 S&H for one $15K for all. Free S&H to IF1 Members Contact: Gary and Linda Elliott for pics Make Checks to Maria Hirsch and inventory list: 972-264-3857 8439 Dale St., Buena Park, CA 90620 [email protected] Contact: Maria Hirsch (714) 828-7369 FORMULA FORUM, MARCH 2010 15 Photo by Birgitta Nurmi Photo by Birgitta #98 What’s Up Doc and #9 miss t’witchie race towards takeoff in the Bronze Final at Reno, September, 2009

FORMULA FORUM 3233 Via Alicante #48 La Jolla, CA 92037