World fastest motorsport

[pagani]

The fastest p51 mustang in the world!!.
(dago red)
Current World Speed Record Holder (15km Course) - 517.323 mph
Fastest Reno Qualification Speed - 497.797 mph (2002)
Fastest Average Race Speed - 507.105 mph (2003)
Thompson Trophy Winner 2003 - 512.164 mph
Five Consecutive Reno National Championship Victories:
1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2002 - 2003


http://www.dagored-airracing.com/gallery/reno02/024a.jpg
http://www.dagored-airracing.com/gallery/reno02/023u.jpg
http://www.dagored-airracing.com/gallery/reno02/022s.jpg
http://www.dagored-airracing.com/wallpaper/003_800.jpg
http://www.dagored-airracing.com/gallery/reno00/mk/image_page/images/015.jpg
http://www.dagored-airracing.com/images/dago080.jpg

http://www.dagored-airracing.com/video/dago_02r/dago_02R_0909_hb.mpg

http://www.dagored-airracing.com/

The rare bear

A WORLD WAR II GRUMMAN F8F2 BEARCAT, CIRCA 1946

The Rare Bear is a World War II era Grumman F8F Bearcat. It has been restored, substantially modified and equipped with a Wright R3350 engine producing in excess of 4000 horsepower. This has allowed the Rare Bear to establish the Closed Course World Speed Record (528.3 mph) and 3000 Meter Time-To-Climb Record (91.9 seconds).

The Rare Bear was discovered as a severely damaged wreck in 1969 by Lyle Shelton. It had been abandoned next to a runway in an Indiana cornfield after a crash in 1962. The once proud airplane had been stripped by parts hunters, so Shelton found a fuselage, wing center section, landing gear and a right wing panel, but little else.


The pieces were trucked to Orange County, and restoration began. Volunteers donated their time and expertise to the task of locating impossible-to-find Bearcat parts, including a Wright R3350 - 2700 horsepower engine. The first flight was made on September 13,1969 from Orange County to the Chino Airport. Just a week later, the Bearcat appeared in its first National Championship Reno Air Race - sporting its first name "Able Cat", where it finished a respectable 5th (356.4 mph), despite the lack of preparatory and flight test time.

Bitten by the air racing bug and with their sights set on future races, the crew knew hard work and modifications were in order to make the airplane a winner. This lengthy preparation was rewarded in 1971 when the newly renamed "Phoenix I" tasted its first victory at Cape May, New Jersey, winning the event with a speed of 360.15 mph. The "Phoenix I" then went on to Reno that September to place 2nd, finishing only .32 seconds behind the winner.

In February of 1972 the airplane challenged and broke the long standing Time-to-Climb record by ascending 3,000 meters in a mere 91.9 seconds. 1974 - 1975 brought further wins in Miami, Mojave and Reno. With the plane grounded from 1976 through 1979, Lyle Shelton managed and directed the Mojave Air Races. In 1980, the Bearcat was brought out of the hanger, dusted off, and renamed for the last time. The name chosen was "Rare Bear", and what a rare commodity she is. The next few years proved to be frustrating. Much of the restoration work had to be done without the funding necessary to cover the costs of repairs and refurbishing. In order for Rare Bear to be competitive, a major sponsor had to be found.

This was accomplished in 1986. Wichita Air services provided the support for a thorough overhaul of the aircraft, hired a crew chief and secured a hanger for the team. Every restorable piece of the Bearcat was returned to its original condition. Those not available were individually manufactured and retrofitted. The extensive rebuilding project was completed in 1987, and it paid off as the Rare Bear flew the 3rd fastest qualifying time (452.90 mph) at Reno that September.


The winning tradition began in 1988 when the Rare Bear and her dedicated crew won both the Hamilton Air Races and the National Championships at Reno, where new qualifing and championship records were set. With victory fresh in their minds, the team never looked back. Lyle Shelton and his crew set their sights on capturing the 3Km World Speed Record for propeller driven aircraft - then 499.018 mph. Could the elusive 500 mph barrier be broken? A site for the challenge was scouted, and Las Vegas, New Mexico was selected for its high altitude and desert air. On Monday, August 21, 1989 the Rare Bear faced the challenge, sprinting the four legs of the course at an average speed of 528.33 mph - shattering the previous record by almost 30 mph! In September 1989 the Rare Bear (now hailed as "The fastest propeller driven aircraft in the world"), returned as defending champion to Reno. "Could the Rare Bear be beaten?" asked the headlines. The answer was a roaring "NO!" as she took the Gold Medal and victory once again. 1990 brought another challenge for the Rare Bear as she was fitted with a new three-blade propeller, the result of removing one blade and repositioning the remaining three.

Undaunted, the airplane not only won the race, but established a new Unlimited speed record of 468.20 mph. In 1991 the results were even more impressive, with a Gold win at over 481 mph, yet another Unlimited race record.

The Rare Bear is the crowd favorite. The plane's absence following the engine failure in the 1992 Reno final has reduced the degree of competition in the race, as evidenced by the lower winning speeds since 1995.



Rare Bear
Grummman FBF-2 Bearcat
Modification List
Stock Bearcat Rare Bear
Weight, Lbs. 9000 8500
Wing Span, ft. 35 30.5
Flaps Yes No
Oil Consumption 0.5-5 gph High
MPH, Closed Course 330 490
Top Speed @ 5000 ft. 370 540
Final Approach, Knots 85 120
Touchdown, Knots 65 110
Engine P&W R-2800 Wright R-3350
Max HP 2400 4000+
RPM 2800 2900+
Boost Systems ADI, Water Inj. ADI, Water Inj. & NOx
Propeller 13.5 ft. dia.
Aeroproduct P3 Orion Ham-Std.
Fuel Consumption 300 gph @ 370 mph 600 gph @ 540 mph



Tailhook Yes No
Fuel Capacity, Gallons 180 180
Oil Capacity, Gallons 40 40
Armament 4x50 Cal. Small Thermonuclear Device

http://www.rarebear.com/bearfacts/prs-03/01.jpg
http://www.rarebear.com/bearfacts/prs-03/02.jpg
http://www.rarebear.com/bearfacts/prs-03/03.jpg
http://www.rarebear.com/bearfacts/prs-03/05.jpg

http://www.aafo.com/vid/rarebear_prs_2003/rarebear_prs_2003_475MPH.mpg
http://www.aafo.com/vid/rare_bear_flight/rarebearflight.mpg
:o 8)

[fabro_s]

They are beautiful, it should be a hell of a ride, spinning, 360 turns, just felling the G forces!!

[pagani]

It's the world fastest motorsport.
The rare bear is world fastest piston engined prop plane with world record speed of 528.3 mph 844,8 km/h.

http://www.rarebear.com/page3.html
:wink: :!:

[SilviaEvo]

how about a SR71 Black Bird?

[pagani]

Thats jet engined thats a high tech dago red and rare bear are old school tech the use engines of second world war.
:wink: :twisted:

[SilviaEvo]

if its old then why keep it? must have many miles on those babies

[pagani]

These planes are legends in the usa and round the world.
Like these planes more then the f16 f15 etc of modern times and you can't race them.
:lol: :!:

[pagani]

And sr 71 blackbird is bit more powerfull and faster then rare bear and dago red but those sure look sexy and are just as fast as most modern jet liners.
:twisted: :!:

[pagani]

Some more pics of dago red and some more planes.

http://www.airventure.de/airventurepics/dago_red_R99_02.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_rarebear_1.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_criticalmass_1.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_badattitude_1.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_badattitude_1.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_dagored_2.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_criticalmass_2.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_preciousmetal_4.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_dagored_1.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_dreadnought_3.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_furias_2.jpg
http://www.airventure.de/reno2003/reno03_unl_furias1.jpg

http://www.airventure.de/

[pagani]

The current jets suck this is much better and fun!
:!: :wink:

[saadie]

Modern jets suck this is much better and fun! :!: :wink: lol ... wait till ya get into a Su 27 flanker or Su 37 super flanker (currently under development)

mustang was devleoped fer military use good to see it in sports ... 8) 8) 8)

anywayz i like Extra 300 better ... ya know thats the only aorcraft tht ya can put into flatspin ... :wink: :wink: :wink:

[saadie]

Modern jets suck this is much better and fun! :!: :wink: lol ... wait till ya get into a Su 27 flanker or Su 37 super flanker (currently under development)

mustang was devleoped fer military use good to see it in sports ... 8) 8) 8)

anywayz i like Extra 300 better ... ya know thats the only aorcraft tht ya can put into flatspin ... :wink: :wink: :wink:

[pagani]

You can't race a jet.
Race a f15 or f16 against rare bear or dago red and they win!!!
:2gunfire: :!: :wink:

[rachaderua]

i´m not adicted to planes as i am to cars, but this one is really awesome :D

[pagani]

I love the everthing thats go's fast has a big engine and sounds cool.
Witch plane do you mean??
:!: :twisted:

[fabro_s]

I didnt get clear something, who wins?? an F16 or F15 or this planes???

I guess the F16 and F15 isnt it?? :?

[pagani]

Round the race course in reno no jet plane wins.
In a straight line the jets win.
:!: :P

[saadie]

Round the race course in reno no jet plane wins.
In a straight line the jets win.
:!: :P

lol .... ryt ryt ... :lol: :lol: :wink: :wink:

[nutsy]

very nice plane must be very nice to drive one.
the jet is the fastest not the best to turn.

[graywolf624]

It's the world fastest motorsport.

Even if you disqualified fighter planes because they arent used in a sport, the bonneville salt flat runs would beat this.

[number77]

most people don't know that propellers lose their efficiency as they approach the speed of sound. thats why they went to turbines and whatnot

[pagani]

I kown jets are faster i straight line but piston engine fighters/racers corner better and have no trottle lag.
Jets have lag.
For a real petrol head like planes like dago red and rare bear are much cooler!!
:roll: :twisted:

[saadie]

have ya seen the video in which a harrier races a saab on the topgeat test track ..... i bet P-51 cant beat the harrier .... the only plane tht can beat it is Extra ....

anywayz ... jets and props cant be compared in any way ...

[pagani]

Yes jets and wII fighters are diffrent but 850 km/h for a plane of the 40's is still fast!!
:!: :wink:

[saadie]

these planes are modified arnt they .... riced to be exact .. :P but in a good way ...
anyway the fastest mustang in WWII was F-28 twin mustang it could only goto 750 km/p ....
the plane that you are talking about isnt from WWII ... it was manufactures again for motor sports and all .... the plane is not from the 40's ...... lier :P :P :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

i not offending ya or nething .... what my point is that the plane isnt from the 40's its got a new engine beter structure ..better meterial .. better air flow ..... thats y it gets to 850 ...

but still its kewl ... i love planes .. 8) 8) 8)

[pagani]

The base plane is from the 40's.
But it's highly modified!!
Faster then ever.
:!: :roll:

[pagani]

but there is new kid on the block wildfire.
After twenty-eight years in development, Wildfire is set to debut at the 2004 Reno Air Races.
The concept of Wildfire originated in the middle to late 1970s. A small group of people who had been involved in the various classes of air racing over the years felt it was time to do something really original in the Unlimited Air Racing Class.

At the time, the group was involved in racing a stock P-51 Mustang called “Candyman,” but the stock airplane was not competitive. Two options were open for consideration. Either the P-51 could be modified to make it competitive, or an entirely new approach could be undertaken.

The changes required to make the Candyman Mustang competitive were formidable. The wing, airframe and engine would have to be highly modified to increase the power and reduce the drag.

Two other important factors influenced the decision. First, the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine seemed to have reached its structural limit in air racing. The Merlins were also becoming excessively expensive, because sources of supply for engines and parts were limited. Secondly, the stock two-place P-51 had a high resale value without modification. The decision was therefore made to sell Candyman and to start from scratch with a new airplane.

The design philosophy for the new airplane was based on experience and on the availability of modern aerodynamic technology. It was felt that future pylon races would not be won on power alone, but on a combination of power, low drag and light weight. These factors could all be provided in a new design.

The engine chosen for the new airplane was the Pratt & Whitney R2800-97W, because it is rugged, reliable and available. The new airplane would have a completely new wing and tail. However, since the fuselage diameter would be dictated by the engine diameter, it was decided that it would be expedient to use a T-6 fuselage tubular structure frame and aft semi-monocoque shell, both highly modified structurally for the basic fuselage.

With the design philosophy established, preliminary airplane design layouts were prepared and construction began in the spring of 1975. A T-6, without engine, outer wing panels, tail and canopy was purchased in February 1975 and was completely disassembled. Simultaneously, using all volunteer labor, the fuselage tubular frame was substantially modified at Van Nuys Airport. The aft fuselage was re-skinned and reinforced in one garage, the new tail assembly was underway in another garage, and the landing gear struts were completely overhauled.

When these parts were completed, they were mated in a rented building at Van Nuys Airport. The new wing center section was constructed and mated to the fuselage and a substantial part of the airplane structure was on its wheels. Work then proceeded with the construction of the engine mount, wing outer panels, removable fuselage panels, aircraft systems and instruments. During the entire construction period, two members of the crew worked two days and two nights each week, and the other four or five crew members worked two nights each week due to other employment.

The R-2800 engine was obtained by purchasing a Convair T-29 from an Air Force surplus auction in Arizona. Only the engines and propeller blades were eventually retained for use, and the remainder of the T-29 was resold. The two engines were used to make one complete rebuilt R-2800.

The airplane was rolled-out at Van Nuys in April of 1982. Later in that same year, the airplane was moved to a new hangar at the Mojave Airport on the high desert in Southern California, where it is currently based. After final assembly and testing, Wildfire completed a series of engine run-ups and high-speed taxi tests. The first flight occurred on October 20, 1983.

Shortly after the first flight, financial problems grounded the project. Late in 1999, Statler Air, a Limited Liability Company, was formed for the purpose of finishing the race plane project for the 2004 race season. The principles of Statler Air include William H. Statler, Manager of Design Engineering; William G. Statler, Manager of Production and Modifications; and Richard H. Statler, Business and Financial Manager.


http://www.wildfireairracing.com/images/photos_skinned.jpg
http://www.wildfireairracing.com/images/air2air.jpg
http://www.wildfireairracing.com/
:roll: : :!:

[pagani]

Lets not forget the legend rad baron and some about the Rolls-royce Griffon
That has powered the famous red baron.
http://www.air-and-space.com/19750618%20Mojave/RB-51%20N7715C%20Red%20Baron%20left%20side%20landing% 20l.jpg
http://www.aafo.com/racing/2001/rb51/images/02.jpg
http://www.aafo.com/racing/2001/rb51/images/03.jpg
http://www.aafo.com/racing/2001/rb51/images/05.jpg

http://www.home.aone.net.au/shack_one/rolls.htm

http://www.aafo.com/racing/2001/rb51/

:wink: :twisted: :!:

[TVR_Fan]

You could think in the future air racing motorsports, could be using Scram Jets from Nasa lol.

[pagani]

No don't like jets maby a high modded piston engine of turboshaft engine is a better idea.
:wink:

[saadie]

turboshaft engine

lol .. dude its turboprop ... :wink: :wink:

[pagani]

Sorry i mean turboprop.
Maby the turboprop engine from a tu 95 bear can fit in a mustang or sea fury!!?
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/bomber/tu-95f_1.jpg
http://www.globalaircraft.org/photos/planephotos/tu-95_1.jpg
http://www.globalaircraft.org/photos/planephotos/tu-95_3.jpg
http://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/tu-95_bear.pl
:twisted: :!:

[RC45]

turboshaft engine

lol .. dude its turboprop ... :wink: :wink:

You have missed the entire point of this thread and these airplanes.

Yes jets are faster in a straight line by a factor of 4 or 5... but who gives a fuck?

As they say in the classics, if you have to ask you will never get it... :roll:

The beauty, sound and thrill of being in and around large powerful piston engined aircraft is something amazing to behold and experience.

Long live the Reno Air Races... :D

[saadie]

ok i accept that pistons are great .....

but thsi is great ... just look at this ...... Tu - 160

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/bomber/tu160-pic.jpg 8) 8) 8)

[pagani]

Some pics of Precious Metal rolls royce griffon powered.
http://www.preciousmetalairracing.com/03.jpg
http://www.preciousmetalairracing.com/Directory/01.jpg
http://www.preciousmetalairracing.com/Directory/02.jpg
http://www.preciousmetalairracing.com/Directory/26.jpg
http://www.preciousmetalairracing.com/Directory/dedication/01.jpg
http://www.preciousmetalairracing.com/Directory/reno2001galleries/ilips/01.jpg
http://www.preciousmetalairracing.com/Directory/reno2001galleries/ilips/19.jpg
http://www.preciousmetalairracing.com/Directory/reno2001galleries/ilips/24.jpg
I kown that jets are but i like piston engined en turboprop more.
:roll: :( :| :!: :wink:

[blah]

P-51, P40, and the Spitfire are my favorite planes from that era. All though the Merserschmitt ME-109 was damn good too. And the Junkers JU-87 Stuka. If you look at how advanced and high tech the german planes were back then, its amazing how close that this follows how their cars our today. THis is also true for our american cars. The german cars were made with high tech engines, high tech cockpit, new age sheetmetal for protection, and even complicated cannons and guns, While the american and british planes were just basically shit loads of sheetmetal, and low tech guns and cockpit.

[pagani]

My favorite planes of the second world war are the supermarine spitfire north american p51 mustang hawker seafury Haviland Mosquito and of course highly modded versions of the planes above.
:twisted: :!:

[saadie]

My favorite planes of the second world war are the supermarine spitfire north american p51 mustang hawker seafury Haviland Mosquito and of course highly modded versions of the planes above.
:twisted: :!:
same ere dude ...
but ma list aslo includes messerschmitt bf109 bf110 and the me262 ... and offcorse highly modded versions of the planes above arnt included ... jk :wink: :wink: :wink:

EDIT
bf109
http://www.vectorsite.net/avbf09-01.jpg
bf110
http://acad.bryant.edu/~history/h364proj/sprg_01/albrecht/me1101.jpg
me262
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/air_power/ap11.jpg

[pagani]

Dornier has made some cool and fast planes.
:!: :wink: :twisted:

[saadie]

yeah ... glosters were also gud .... gladiator was bi lol ... but the g.41 meteor was a jet .. :wink: itt had two RR engines .. :twisted: :twisted:

[pagani]

The could make a very fast and cool unlimted airracer.
http://www.luchtoorlog.be/Images/do335/b1.jpg
http://www.luchtoorlog.be/Images/do335/cpu.jpg
http://www.luchtoorlog.be/Images/do335/a6.jpg
http://www.luchtoorlog.be/Images/do335/cock.jpg
:twisted: :!:

[pagani]

Some cool pics and videoclips of september fury!!
http://www.septemberpops.com/232/232_Concave_307MK.jpg
http://www.septemberpops.com/232/323-1.jpg
http://www.septemberpops.com/232/323-2.jpg
http://www.septemberpops.com/Photo%20Gallery/2003_Races/By%20Dave%20Leininger/images/Sept%20Fury%2003-5_jpg.jpg
http://www.warbirdaeropress.com/articles/232/Sept%20Fury%20and%20Tigercat2.jpg
http://www.warbirdaeropress.com/articles/232/232.htm
http://www.septemberpops.com/mayday/September%20Fury%20mayday.mpg
http://www.septemberpops.com/mayday/Septfury1.wmv
http://www.septemberpops.com/mayday/SeptFury2_b.wmv
:twisted: :P :!:

[pagani]

Some more pics of reno 2003
http://www.airrace.de/03bear15.jpg
http://www.airrace.de/03bear22.jpg
http://www.airrace.de/03bear20.jpg
http://www.airrace.de/03sepfury08.jpg
http://www.airrace.de/03sepfury03.jpg
http://www.airrace.de/03sepfury03.jpg
http://www.airrace.de/
:twisted: :lol: 8)

[pagani]

Some more about wildfire

Wildfire is one of the more unusual Unlimited air racers with perhaps the longest gestation period of any. The years of silence with this racer tucked away in a hangar in Mojave, combined with its mysterious first flight, have lead to the birth of many rumors surrounding its past, present and future. On a recent AAFO.COM assignment to Mojave, I had the opportunity to check in with Team Wildfire and separate truth from fiction.

Wildfire was conceived in the mid 70s to make Unlimited Air Racing more affordable and save the existing war birds seen at Reno each September. It is thought that with affordable Unlimited air racers, air racing as a sport will spread to other venues across the country while preserving WWII aircraft.




Former Director of Science and Engineering, William H. Statler, designed Wildfire and he is no stranger to air racing. Bill’s first design was a Goodyear midget racer for Al Foss who built the plane in 1949. Foss raced it as "Jinny" #94. It was later sold to Jim Dewey and raced by his son, Mike. It retained the #94 but was now called "Little Mike". Number 94’s last race was in 1970, but the airplane is still owned by Mike Dewey in Santa Paula, CA who is restoring it as a museum piece.

The Second aircraft to come from Bill Statler Sr’s sketchpad was for James Kistler. Assigned number 31, it has a colorful history with many name and owner changes. Kistler raced as "La Jollita" and "Skeeter". It was sold to Art Scholl who campaigned it as "Miss San Bernardino". Scholl managed a 3rd place finish in the championship race of 1964, and 4th in both 1965 and 1966. Sold to Smokey Stover and renamed "Skeeter" again, race 31 soldiered on with another 4th place in 1967. 1971 Marked another owner, Larry Borrow. "Skeeter" returned to Reno in 1976 with Smokey Stover at the controls once again, finishing 1st in the Medallion race. Race 31 continued to pass through owners and around the pylon until 1984.

In typical Unlimited fashion, Wildfire is a low wing monoplane with conventional undercarriage. Its wing is an entirely custom built NASA airfoil, attached to a heavily modified forward airframe and a scratch-built aft fuselage. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA-97W and propelled via a 3-blade airscrew, Wildfire is definitely a very distinct air racer.




It was the team’s normal workday on the racer when I arrived. I felt a bit like I was in their way so I decide to let them work while I took pictures; we would sit down over lunch and discuss the racer. Wildfire was bigger than I envisioned it. Basically the aircraft looked complete but many little things remained unfinished and we all know those are the things that take the most time.

Working on the racer on this Friday, June 4th, were Bill Statler Sr., Skunk Works engineer Bill Statler Jr., Cal-Tech and JPL analyst Dennis Wittman, and mechanic and auto-racer Greg Austin. Slowly yet methodically the racer was coming together in the hot oven that is a hangar at Mojave, not far from Nemesis NXT and Scaled Composites. Missing due to work commitments were crew members Rich Statler, Senior Vice President, System Development, for the Mericom Corporation and Paul Novacek, Avionics Engineer and Vice President of Development for Electronic Flight Solutions.

Despite my small protest, I was treated to lunch by the crew and began the question and answer session to get the truth about Wildfire.
http://aafo.com/racing/2004/wildfire_2/images/01.jpg
http://aafo.com/racing/2004/wildfire_2/images/02.jpg
http://aafo.com/racing/2004/wildfire_2/images/04.jpg
http://aafo.com/racing/2004/wildfire_2/images/05.jpg
http://aafo.com/racing/2004/wildfire_2/
:twisted: :o