Reno Air Races 2008


Reno Air Races 2008
	Here are some of my favorite pictures from the 44th annual Reno Air Races. It was tough to pick favorites, I took over 1400 pictures this year! This year I was able to go on both Saturday and Sunday. I also got to try out my new lens, a Canon EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom. Wow, that is way too complicated, I just call it a mortgage payment... I am very happy with the lens. I was able to shoot hand held with a slow enough shutter speed to have motion blur on the prop but still get sharp shots.
	One of the early races is the sport class. The Nemesis flown by Jon Sharp ran away with his heats with average speeds approaching 400 MPH! His qualification was 409 MPH!
	What would an air race be without a Mustang?
	Here's another one.
	One of my favorite races are the T-6 Texans. They are much slower but better matched which makes for really exciting racing. One lucky raffle winner gets to ride in an observation T-6 during the races.
	Just after the pace plane has pulled off the course. All the pilots are trying to be first to the pylon. The sound alone is worth the drive to Reno.
	Typical close racing.
	These two fought it out to not be last place with #69 Eros just edging out #56 Deuce of Hearts.
	Gunslinger took 3rd in the bronze Medal race. I love polished aluminum!
	The Thunderbirds put in a beautiful aerial ballet.
	A tribute flight with a P-38, a Mustang, and a YF-22.
	Another shot of the P-38.
	The Raptor did a nice long demo flight during lunch. It demonstrated its agility by looping around the wing tips and performing a descending flat spin under total control.
	The pilot did a knife edge pass stage center and cycled the payload bay. It opens and closes in under 1.5 seconds.
	One of only four Tigercats still flying and the pilot races it like he stole it! I'm pretty sure he is picking sage brush off the wing tip when he lands.
	Another sweet formation flyby with a B-17, two B-25s, and a Mustang.
	Another shot of the B-17 and his escort.
	I love the lines on the L-29. It looks like it was inspired by the Art Deco movement.
	Some tight biplane racing. #62 Phantom is lapping the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the Biplane Class Gold race. It ran almost 40 MPH faster than 2nd place.
	My favorite racing plane, the Rare Bear! This is the start just before the Gold Medal race on Sunday.
	Taxing out in front of the expectant crowd.
	Look at the climb angle, the Bear doesn't do anything part way.
	Absolute heaven! The sound nearly crushing you, your neck screaming from trying to keep up at over 460 MPH, what a rush.
	Set for another tight turn.
	Bear calls "Mayday" trailing smoke.
	Rolling out, still trailing smoke.
	Safely down. Look at all the oil on the fuselage. What a bummer.
	The winner of the Unlimited Gold Medal race, Strega with an average speed of 483 MPH. Merlin fans everywhere were rejoicing! That's all from this year. Hopefully I'll have more to add next year!