r e c o r d s , r a c i n g & r a l l y a s s o c i a t i o n r o y a l a e r o c l u b AIR R ACING Aero Racer Popham August 8/9 2015
After the cancellation of the Enniskillen race weekend due to
bad weather, everyone was looking forward to Popham with
all fingers crossed for a decent sky.
Luckily the sun arrived and we were set for a spectacular race
weekend. Popham is set in the most wonderful countryside, but next to
a main road for easy access, perfect.
It now seems that the Friday evening get together is very much
looked forward to, and with most planes and ground crew arriving on
Friday, a party at the Basingstoke Hilton began.
Transport to and from the airport was organised by Chris
Cunningham, who brought along his very red Routemaster London
Bus! As with the normal London service, the timings were a little out,
but fun and appreciated nevertheless!
There have also been some recent additions to the racing fraternity.
Annie and Dom Crossan brought along Sophia, Izindi and Rodders
came with Julia plus Roger and Chloe’s new arrival, Esme, who was
unable to attend. But as it takes Roger his full concentration to organise
himself, this may have been a blessing for all racers waiting on the start
line.
Friday evening fun
The Big Red Bus
Izindi is also training Julia to take over the handicapping department
and Julia’s current understanding of the air racing rules seem to be
superior to most air racers.
Chairman Mike Pearson presented the specific airfield notes and
briefed the race pilots on the race course, weather and recovery
procedure.
From September
this year, Mike is
going to become
the Popham Airfield
manager! Popham
was a new venue for
us last year, invited
and organised by
Gerry Smith. Popham
has now become a very well liked venue, with lots happening on the
airfield and many spectators. As well as our races, the Jaguar owners
club were exhibiting and the aero modellers were out in force, as well
as the normal air traffic and trial flights taking off and landing either side
Dom, Sophia and Annie Crossan
Julia working out who’s going to win!
and Julia checking on the rules.......
Mike Pearson
of our NOTAMed air space closure periods. Popham seems to be one
of those airfields that the aviation loving general public really like, and
with a great cafe, planes, motorbikes, model flyers and open access to
the flight line, what is there not to like. Many airfields could learn from
this open and friendly attitude.
Pete Chilcott was on hand to check all race plane and pilot
documents as well as collect money for the Saturday evening meal.
ALL pilots and navigators have to attend the briefings, so we all
squeezed into the club room we were generously allocated. It was a
little more crowded that normal as the BBC had popped in to learn our
procedures, as they intend to be on Alderney to film our exploits for the
BBC series ‘Skies Above Britain’. This will be a major series due to air
early next year. Alderney is normally well attended, but full support for
this BBC coverage on the last weekend of racing would be appreciated.
Also in the briefing room were Neil Wilson and Brian Hope from the
Light Aircraft Association. They had agreed to write an article on our
race weekend for the LAA Magazine. As the LAA look after the RV’s
and all home builts, we hope the article will inspire some more pilots to
try air racing. But with the RV’s taking over and winning everything, I’m
not sure if we need any more.....
I am told Roger and Dom have just bought an RV6 and Mark
Hanson, who flew in from Blackpool to attended Popham has
subsequently decided to join the racing team in his RV4! Well, if you
can’t beat them.....
A great turn out to watch the take off and race
Document check and sign in
Money
The briefing
The race course was slightly changed from last year. Mainly to avoid
the proximity of the Southampton zone.
The practise and recovery procedures were a little complicated, but
after a thorough briefing all went smoothly.
Jude Wordsworth and John Tansley made up the timing team and
were also the start officials. Great job guys!
The Popham ground crew were helpful, friendly and very
professional. Driving race crews around in their golf cart was also a skill
and many benefitted. Many thanks to all the Popham crew, including
the radio operators, canteen and managers. We look forward to another
amazing weekend next year.
The course
Practise and recovery procedures
Jude and JohnThe Time Team
Amazing Popham ground crew
It is worthy of note, that Gordon Bellerby decided to buy a brand
new Robin DR401 Diesel powered plane at the beginning of the 2015
season. With navigator Dave Lee, they have attended all races this
season and obviously been getting familiar with their new mount.
Diesel was a dirty word in the aviation community only a few years
ago. Now, with Avgas prices rising and the frugal burn of the cheaper
Jet A1 fuel, coupled with proven reliability, these engines seem to be
the future, (before electricity takes over).
Gordon and Dave won the Saturday Grosvenor Trophy flying their
Diesel DR401. As a point of history, this is the first Diesel powered
plane ever to win an air race!
Also, John Bate, a ‘new racer’ for this season, based at Blackpool
and flying an RV8, has been learning the black art of racing, navigation
and turns with no power loss while flying a few feet from his fellow
racers.
Being one of the fastest aircraft, John is placed at the back of the
take off queue, usually behind the previously fastest plane flown by
Geoffrey Boot, the SF260.
John brought all his new skills together for the Sunday race.
Romping over the line first to win his first race and hold the historic and
coveted SBAC Trophy. During his acceptance speech, John mentioned
his delight at winning, but more important for him was the fact that he
had overtaken and beaten Geoffrey Boot!
It is important to note, that while hyper competitive in the air, all is fun
and friendship on the ground. But it does feel good to beat Geoffrey!
The Diesel Boys
I beat Geoffrey !!!!!!!
The Racing TeamsRace: 15
Plane:
RV7
Pilot:
John Kelsall
Navigator:
Ian Scarborough
Race: 31Plane:
SF260W
Pilot:
Geoffrey Boot
Navigator:
Suzie Boot
Race: 85Plane:
RV8
Pilot:
Bob Ellis
Navigator:
Solo
Race: 8Plane:
Grumman AA5B
Pilot:
Dan Pangbourne
Navigator:
David Pangbourne
Race: 61Plane:
RV6
Pilot:
Mark Turner
Navigator:
Joanne Turner
Race: 74Plane:
RV8
Pilot:
John Bate
Navigator:
Solo
The Racing TeamsRace: 200
Plane:
TB20
Pilot:
Cliff Hawkins
Navigator:
Solo
Race: 82Plane:
Robin DR401D
Pilot:
Gordon Bellerby
Navigator:
Dave Lee
Race: 22Plane:
Cap10
Pilot:
Dave Moorman
Navigator:
Glynn Farrar
Race: 1Plane:
DR400 Robin
Pilot:
Martin Gosling
Navigator:
Solo
Race: 20Plane:
Lake Buccaneer
Pilot:
Roderick Morton
Navigator:
Solo
Race: 7Plane:
T67
Pilot:
Roger Scholes
Navigator:
Dom Crossan
The Racing TeamsRace: 28
Plane:
AA1C
Pilot:
Alan Turner
Navigator:
Rex Levi
Race: 11Plane:
Gruman AA5B
Pilot:
Andrew Dent
Navigator:
Solo
The Results - Saturday - The Grosvenor Trophy
Presented by Guy Hook
First Place:
Pilot: Gordon BellerbyNavigator: Dave Lee
Second Place:
Pilot: John KelsallNavigator: Ian Scarborough
Third Place:
Pilot: Martin Gosling
The Results - Sunday - SBACTrophy
Presented by Guy Hook
First Place:
Pilot: John Bate
Second Place:
Pilot: Martin Gosling
Third Place:
Pilot: John KelsallNavigator: Ian Scarborough