Journey to Sweetwater

Classic Racer 29 has arrived in Sweetwater, Texas

Tracking the 2018 Air Race Classic

We are excited that the Air Race Classic is providing tracking services again through MapProgress and also ATC live.

Each team will be carrying a Spot tracker. The link to the page for tracking the teams this way is here:   https://airraceclassic2018.maprogress.com/


Also, live broadcast of radio calls is happening via: https://www.liveatc.net/
Enter the airport code and tune in to hear teams making radio calls at the Start, fly-by airports and at the Terminus. The airports won't go live on LiveATC until a couple of days before the race starts. The airport codes are:

Sweetwater, TX - KSWW

Alva, OK - KAVK

Beatrice, NE - KBIE 

Faribault, MN - KFBL

Galesburg, IL - KGBG

Auburn, IN - KGWB

Cadillac, MI - KCAD

Newark, OH - KVTA

Penn Yan, NY - KPEO

Fryeburg, ME - KIZG

 

 

 

2018 Air Race Classic

The 2018 Air Race Classic begins in two weeks !!!!

Hello friends-

Here we see the route for the 2018 Air Race Classic.

Caroline and Lydia are racing again as Classic Racer 29, in Cherokee N15695.

In a couple of weeks we will assemble in Sweetwater, TX for the Start of the 42nd Annual Air Race Classic.

https://www.airraceclassic.org/

As I write Lydia is in Fort Collins, CO, committed as ever to a stellar ICU at UCHealth's Poudre Valley Hospital. In two weeks, however, Lydia will embark on an epic three week journey, flying in the Air Race, and journeying across this great land.

Caroline is currently touring in Japan with Bill and friends. This has been a long-awaited trip of great interest and desire to experience the culture, sights and scenes of Japan.

The past year has seen caretaking for the aircraft, pursuit of hobbies and we have very much been looking forward to pursuit of this event together.

We will be posting pictures and journal thoughts as our preparations continue, and as we embark on another ARC adventure!

2017 Air Race Classic

The 2017 Air Race Classic has come to an end. We had so much fun; flew over 3,000 miles with the before, during, and after stages; visited new places; enhanced our piloting skills; and spent time with so many wonderful people. 

Our time in Santa Fe was fantastic. We went for a hike, visited the Georgia O'Keefe museum and Meow Wolfe, and enjoyed walking around the historic town. 

Sunday nights's banquet was exciting for all of us. Classic Racer #29 is thrilled to have achieved 4th place as well as awards for the fastest family team and the fastest Piper team. 

Thank you for supporting us in our love of flying, racing and adventure.  With love to you all!

Finished!!

Classic Racer #29 successfully completed the Air Race Classic yesterday. We arrived at Santa Fe airport just prior to 3pm.  Exhilarated, relieved, and tired are some of the feelings we were experiencing. Immediately we unpacked and cleaned the plane, and turned in our timing devices. 

Caroline and Bill marvelously coordinated a family get together here in Santa Fe. We are enjoying relaxing with our loved ones and attending to he final Air Race appointments. Sunday evening, tomorrow, brings the final banquet with awarding of prizes and celebration of the racers. We met with the judges this afternoon and leaned that we will receive penalties. We are disappointed though proud of our achievements. 

Here are a few photos from our final racing legs and visiting in Santa Fe.

 

   

 

    

Race day #3

Awoke to clear skies and cool temperatures. We are excited to fly on to the South.  For now we are waiting for a storm system along the route to pass to the east. 

Greetings to you from the North. 

 

  

June 21, 2017

This morning we awoke to find the end  of a storm moving through.  Here is a shot of our plane on the ramp at Indianapolis Regional airport. 

 

Yesterday's flights in to Indiana were warm, slow and bumpy. We had a nice evening meal with Cara and Mia, and an early wake up call came very soon. 

After some waiting for improvements in the conditions ahead we blasted off to the North.  This was to be the longest leg at 333nm.  Completing the leg with the appropriate fuel reserves was a concern and thanks to fine planning and luck of the winds we did fine. 

Our route took us across Illinois, and across the Mississippi River to Iowa. 

 

In Decorah, Iowa we were greeted by friendly folks at the airport and the fueling was super efficient!  A menacing storm was headed in from the West. We made a quick turn and dashed on to the next stop. 

On to Minnesota. 

Again we had done favorable winds. After yesterday's headwinds this was a treat. 

Here is a photo of Classic Racer 34 over one of the many lakes we passed en route to Bemidji.