Formula 1 Pylon Air Racing Returns To Ely
by Matt WeiserNevada is known around the world as host for one of the most spectacular motorsports events: The Reno Air Races, in which aircraft race around a pylon course just 50 feet above the ground at over 400 mph. Soon, Ely, Nev., may become similarly reknowned. The second annual Ely Air Races will be held June 13-15, 2019, at Ely Airport just north of town. The event is already recognized as the highest-altitude air races in the world, posing a unique challenge to pilots and planes because of the thinner atmosphere.
The International Formula 1 Air Racing association sought out Ely for the first event in 2018, because they needed a new venue that was less congested. In Reno, urban sprawl has encroached on the race course, posing safety and logistical challenges. In addition, they wanted the additional enticement of a high-altitude venue. The Ely runway lies at an elevation of 6,259 feet. This year, more than twice as many competitors are expected to travel to Ely for the race, some coming from as far away as China.
“More racers are coming this year because the guys had such a great time last year, and they went back and told their clubs what a nice course we have,” said Lance Gale, Ely airport manager. “They were impressed by how much horsepower they could generate at this altitude. Another thing they were really impressed with was how much airspeed they saw.”
Formula 1 features piston-powered, single-engine airplanes. They typically see speeds above 250 mph. That’s fast, but well below the top “unlimited” class that races at Reno. Even so, Lowell Slatter, a racer from Buhl, Idaho, said his Formula 1 airplane exceeded 300 mph during last year’s race thanks to Ely’s higher altitude. “I would call it a pretty high-adrenaline experience,” Slatter said. The planes race around a 3.6-mile oval course, marked by pylons 50 feet tall attached to the ground. They typically race with six planes on the course at once — all of them jockeying for position to achieve the best time. The pilots can experience as much as 4.5 Gs of cornering force, similar to that of the most nausea-inducing roller coaster.
“One of the unique factors we have here at Ely is we have so much open space around our airport,” Gale said. “At Reno, there are homes and businesses all around. Here, there’s nothing around the airport. We have a 3 to 4 mile radius of no structures, and no power lines until you get about 5 to 8 miles north of airport. So it’s an amazing venue for racers to be able to get the speed they want.” Slatter, a former commercial airline pilot, said he got into Formula 1 air racing because in this class, pilots typically build their own engines are aircraft. He likes those extra challenges. “Not only are you competing as a pilot, but you’re competing as an inventor and a mechanic,” he said.
Racing in the Formula 1 class is held at only five other venues around the world: China, Indonesia, France, Spain and Reno. Competing in all those is strictly for pilots with deep pockets: They disassemble their plane and all support gear to fit in a shipping container, which is then delivered by freighter to the nearest port, loaded onto a semi-truck and hauled by truck to the race venue. There, the airplane is meticulously reassembled for the competition. Until racing in Ely last year, Slatter had competed only in Reno, where he has won the top “gold” honors twice.
“I went to Ely because I was pretty sure we were going to have a lot of fun. And I was right,” Slatter said. “The city of Ely contributed to all of us having fun, because they made it really pleasant to be there as a race crew. They were very prepared to treat us in a way that really made you feel special to be there. All the pilots had fun. The crews had fun.” This year’s event will feature more attractions for spectators, Gale said. A Lear Jet will be on hand performing aerobatics, rides will be offered in hot-air balloons and even aboard a T-6 military plane. Spectators will have the opportunity to bring their own bicycles to join in races on the airport’s new taxiway. A larger static display of vintage and military aircraft will be offered. And a full carnival with games, food and music will run each day of the races from 2 p.m. to midnight. Also, officials from the Guinness Book of World Records are expected to be on hand to verify that Ely is, in fact, the world’s highest-altitude air racing event. Gale said organizers are already looking ahead to what’s next for the Ely Air Races. In coming years, they want to host additional racing classes, including biplanes and the ultra-fast unlimited aircraft.
Admission is $15 per day for White Pine County residents, $20 per day for nonresidents. Overnight RV parking is available for $50 per night.
For more information:
Ely Air Races
https://elynevada.net/ely-air-races-air-show/
Formula 1 Air Racing