Thu, Apr 01, 2010
Sort Of Like A Sailboat Race ... Slow Is Fast
ANN April 1st Special Edition: A new air racing
league will fly a series of competitions this summer, but instead
of souped-up warbirds or specialized racing machines, this one is
open to pilots of more modest means.
The LSA Racing League (LSARL) will hold its inaugural
event in July at EAA AirVenture 2010 in Oshkosh, and continue at
stops across the country, including such well-known racing venues
as Indianapolis, the Poconos, Louisville, and ending at the site of
the granddaddy of all stock car races, Daytona. A special
mid-season event is being planned in conjunction with the Lawn
Mower Racing Association's Grand National Event in Delaware, OH in
September.
The 8 race schedule will be based on the Red Bull Air Race point
system, and will also be divided up into different classes of LSAs.
There will be a production class for airplanes that come off a
factory floor, a homebuilt class, autogyros, weight-shift, and
powered parachutes. The league is also finalizing plans for a
special Cub replica class.
"We watched the America's Cup race in February, and realized
that BMW-Oracle basically had a big wing where its mainsail was
supposed to be," said LSARL President John Loewensloe. "What were
they making ... 33 knots? We're MUCH faster than that. But the LSA
speed restriction of 120 knots will still make this a very
leisurely race to watch. It will be very spectator-friendly. And
the way people have been turning out for airshows, we expect big
crowds to come watch these airplanes fly."
Races will be held around a pylon course with turns limited to
45 degrees of bank. Aircraft will be required to provide proof of a
stock engine, and mogas will be an acceptable fuel. "We want these
to be "big tent" races," said Loewensloe. "What better way to
attract pilots to LSAs than to give them an opportunity to prove
that "mine's faster ... relatively speaking"."
Rotax and Teledyne Continental have already signed on as
sponsors of the new league. Other potential sponsors showing
interest are Grandma's Molasses and Heinz Ketchup.
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