To recap for anyone not familiar, the Air Race Classic is a transcontinental air race for teams of two women pilots, and has been raced in one form or another for more than 80 years. The race is a speed race requiring that each team fly their airplane in max power configuration, and teams are scored on their performance relative to their individual handicap. Each year the route is different, but it is always a VFR (visual flight rules) race in daytime across approximately 2400 nautical miles, that must be completed in 4 days. To find out more about the 2012 Air Race Classic, as well as the history and results of previous races, check out their website www.airraceclassic.org. There are 55 airplanes registered this year, including many old friends, and three teams from our own local group of Ninety-Nines! This is Alison's fifth race and Linda's third, and last year this team placed 9th and qualified for a top ten medal! We'd like to beat that this year.... Only a couple weeks to go, and we are in final preparations. It's not just a case of showing up in Arizona the Saturday before the race - there is soooo much to do. So far we have... Ordered the race number decals, washed and waxed the plane, completed the annual inspection, done an online safety course, obtained an insurance certificate, registered at the start and terminus, booked the start and terminus hotels and rental cars, bought a case of oil and some cleaning kit, started the blog, ordered all the charts, marked out the race route on the 9 or so sectional charts that it covers, planned the route out to the start in Arizona (six legs of about 3 hours each), registered for a handicap run and a prerace inspection... Things we still have to do before we leave mid month are complete the handicap run, put on the numbers, update the GPSs and the iPads, pack... I expect we'll get it all done somehow.
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