This years races while a dissapointment to some, where a sweet finish to at least two very hard working racers. Mike Dacey and Jeff Lavelle have been at this for a long time and 2010 was simply their year! To see the unexpected Questair Venture and the Glasair III at the top of the heap this year was certainly surprising but it only goes to show that racing is so much more that simply speed. Preparation, paticience and persiverence are so much more important than most outside the sport understand.
Mike Dacey has been in the Sport Class since its inception and sent this message to you all:
“As pilots, we all like to believe that we can go to the Reno Air Races and win the first time out. Reno is where this belief runs head on into the hard facts of Reality. There are many very talented pilots at Reno and many knowledgeable race teams that have the same idea, and victory does not often come to the beginner. The learning curve is steep and sometimes painful, but to those who persever, a Gold jacket and the title of National Champion Air Racer can be yours at the end of the week of racing.
I know for I have finished at the bottom of the class and worked my way to the top. Years of refinement, striving for aerodynamic improvements combined with higher and higher engine output, always seeking the elusive ‘Reliability’, and hoping for a little luck along the way, finally came together in September,2010. I owe thanks to my crew, Mike Clipperton, Joe Thomas, Tom Stanley, Ross Farnum of Simple Digital Systems, Eric Struve of Golden State Propeller, and last years crew chief, Bruce Patton, but also to Lee Behel, CJ Stephens, Craig Sherman, Rick Vandam, and the help and encouragement of many others, and especially to Kevin Eldredge, my competitor from San Luis Obispo, whose ‘razzin’ over the year keeps the preperation process fun and entertaining. I look forward to challenging him ‘down the chute’ in 2011. It has all been worth the effort.” Mike Dacey
Congratualtions both of you…….. so well deserved.
Sport: Jeff Lavelle – Glasair III – 7:44.86 – 339.101 mph
Super Sport: Mike Dacey – “Bad Intentions” – 6:41.251 – 374.052 mph
