I competed yesterday in the "Big Muddy" sport air
race. I wasn't comfortable running my tired
0-200 at full throttle for an hour so I ran the
race at 2600 rpm. It was hot (90F), bumpy, and
many cross winds and head winds in the 7 turn
race. My speed for the course was 163.5 mph. I
ran most ot the course at 1000 to 1500 feet. I can live with that.
My flying buddy boss (part time) ran his RV10 and
had an engine out due to a collapsed intake. He
was very low and didn't have time to run a lot of
checks before landing on a local back road
highway. Pulling alternate air would have
prevented an off airport landing but that's hind
site. We fixed the problem and I flew out with
him (co-pilot) and back to the airport later. I
was asked to write a poem we will present to him
at tomorrows EAA chapter meeting along with other
recognition. I'll share below. Points to know
: 7 turns in the race, #8 was the finish line, he runs a 540 cube engine.
The
tale of race #6
Was a hot day in June, bout an hour till noon
When race #6 took to wing
With a clearance to go it was look out below
And that 540 started to sing
With his back to the sun he cleared turn #1
And headed to turn #2
It was bumpy as hell but he handled it well
And the engine was purring like new
With racers ahead it was onward he sped
He would not catch the fast ones he knew
As the miles flew by he was racing through sky
And on down the race course he flew
With some piloting tricks he cleared turn #6
And he pointed the spinner to 7
With just one more turn and a trophy to earn
What ground pounder says flying ain?t heaven
But heaven must wait, there?ll be no number 8
As the engine went suddenly dead
With no place to go there?s a road down below
And a road makes a runway it?s said
So with hand on the stick and a piloting trick
He brings closure to this harrowing fix
His race was complete and he claims not repeat
With his landing on 146
? Larry Flesner, Carterville, Illinois 6/12/2016
