Reno has a personality unlike any other airshow. That's probably because it's not like any other airshow. There aren't rows of jewelry vendors, for instance -- the reason for Reno is the racing...

Making Sense of Chaos

One of the personalities at Reno, one of the corps of volunteers who make everything work, is Kenneth "Rocky" Mountain.

An Ohio State journalism graduate (class of '46), Rocky is the guy who gets the results to the press. His orderly mind and attention to detail (not to mention his respect for deadlines!) has made what is often a chaotic process, look like it's part of an automated factory: everything comes out in the right place, at the right time. He gets the info from those great folks at Race Central, and gets them to us.

Additionally, Rocky knows what's going on around the pylons, and what went on in years past.

Who won, and more importantly, why and how -- these are the insights he keeps in his head, ready to help us first-timers, and the old hands as well.

"I went to the Cleveland Air Races in 1929," he told me.

"That was my first air race. I was ten. I got to a lot of races." The middle-born of three boys, he has attended, and covered, the Cleveland Air Races, the Greve Trophy, the Thompson Trophy series of races...

As an example of the energy, professionalism, and expertise at Reno, 'Rocky' Mountain is a great resource, and a great guy to know.

[Rocky, I apologize. I have no idea where the photos of you went! I've used some of the 'nuttier' pix from Reno instead. I hope you're not offended. You're a heckuva gentleman! --ed.]

FMI: www.airrace.org