Dago Red 500 MPH attempt Sept 2000

Описание: Reno Air Races September 2000. Dago Red had a good qualifying time and all week fans were asking us if we were going to try another attempt to try to break the 500 MPH record. We had several crew meeting, as we always did, and discussed the possibility. The decision was made to not try for the record but instead save the airplane and engine for the Sunday race. If you can’t make the Sunday race your chances of collecting a check on Sunday become a little puny.

RARA was approached and we were given an opportunity to make our bid for the record. They scheduled one lap on the course after the race on Sunday if we elected to give it a try. We asked that this attempt not be put on the published schedule but when the Sunday schedule came out low and behold the attempt was included.

To give the crew time to pit the airplane RARA scheduled a jet race to make up the time gap, there just happened to be several L39s sitting around that year. Enter the jet races that continue to this day.

The plan was that if we wanted to go for it we would taxi to the fuel truck instead of the winning circle, provided the winning circle was an option. As with any race there are many things that would keep any airplane from that elusive circle. Dago won the Sunday race that year and the decision to go for the attempt was made while taxiing in.

The crew pitted Dago in about 20 minutes. The stop included checking all the plugs and servicing the airplane to the loads of fuel, water and ADI to the desired levels, and no, no nitrous was used. We never used it. Oh yea, the windshield got cleaned too.

The jets completed their race which was run on the T6 course. At that time they weren’t quite fast enough unlimited course.

This is the cockpit video of that attempt. If you were at the races that day you’ll remember that it was a relativity shout run. If you weren’t there enjoy this little clip.