2010 TOTC 150 Race Memories

The Top of the Chesapeake 150 air rally was a 2010 success. The results are official and in the can. Wow!

George and I learned a lot about the event and how we would like to improve it for next year, 2011. Please tell all your friends! Word of mouth is the best way to spread the word about the Sport Air Racing League. And considering the SARL is only four years old it still needs vocal advocates spreading the fun. And after speaking with everyone out East it seems the awareness of the SARL from Florida to New York is fairly low so lets get the word out and try to show those Texans we can do it as good as them.

The 2010 TOTC was very dynamic and all the right decisions were made as needed. Weather was a factor and forced us to use the planned Sunday, July 11th, rain day instead of the Saturday, July 10th, as originally planned and promoted. We hoped for 18 pre registered commitments which materialized into 11 actual participants on the Sunday rain day. Six of our actual participants came from Lancaster, PA. Lets hear it for LANCASTER!

The Friday night dinner at Cecil County (58M) went well. We had twice as much food as needed but it is always better to have to much more food than not enough. Everyone was very pleasant and enjoyed each others company. Saturday was a wash just as forecast. Saturday we spent most of the time in doors staying dry.

The Sunday weather was exactly what we ordered seven months prior in the initial planning stages and made the event possible. 11 aircraft showed up! We had one from Austin, TX, one from Dallas, TX, two from different parts of St. Louis, MI, and the rest from within 100 nm.

We got there at 0730 and had everything set up by 0900. Registration occurred between 0900 and 0930. The mandatory pilot briefing occurred between 0930 and 1000. Fastest to slowest staging occurred as planned between 10:00 and 10:30.

At 10:40 the engines were started and everyone taxied to take off. Everyone departed with 30 second intervals and proceeded on course. 39 minutes later our leader returned to the finish line and by 1 hour plus 16 minutes our tail end charlie returned completing the rally with all 11 aircraft safely on the ground.

The data was compiled. The results published. The grievances addressed. Lunch was served. And the awards ceremony concluded. Everyone went away smiling and pleased. For another hour we cleaned up. And closed the hanger door until next year, 2011.

As already stated please tell all your friends. And if you know of any East Coast EAA chapters looking for a guest speaker during a business meeting tell them to contact me through the SARL chairman, and I would be happy to come down and give a short presentation telling everyone about the 2010 TOTC in an effort to promote the 2011 TOTC.

Race Info:

The line up went as planned and everyone taxied into position as planned in the following start order:

The taxi out was uneventful and everyone was launch at :30 second intervals. We had an excellent ground staff lead by Wes Newsome a former Navy Commander, F18 pilot, and former F7 Corsair jet pilot. He was assisted by Bill and Robbie.

The taxi off all went well and the aircraft appeared to turn out on course towards the first turn point as planned to a heading of 027 magnetic.

As we stood on the start line which would now become the finish line we waited for the first arrival. We expected to see the first F1 Rocket return at around the 30 minute mark. However he did not return till the :39 minute mark. We then got the following finish order which was much different than the start:

Race # Name Class Start Time Finish Time Elapsed Time Speed (MPH) Speed (KTS)

Race 109 Tom Sport FX 0:00:00 0:38:09 0:38:09 224.61 195.18
Race 24R Gary RV Blue 0:04:38 0:45:35 0:40:57 209.25 181.83
Race 83 Dave Sprint 0:01:15 0:43:03 0:41:48 204.99 178.13
Race 8RV Gordon RV Blue 0:04:12 0:46:25 0:42:13 202.97 176.38
Race 99 Kerry FX Red 0:00:39 0:47:41 0:47:02 182.18 158.31
Race 53 Steve RV Red 0:05:12 0:53:07 0:47:55 178.83 155.39
Race 98 John Sprint 0:01:44 0:50:36 0:48:52 175.35 152.37
Race 448 Jim FAC3FX 0:05:46 0:57:08 0:51:22 166.81 144.96
Race 456 AnnElise FAC3FX 0:07:44 1:02:48 0:55:04 155.61 135.22
Race Z80 Charles FAC3FX 0:08:17 1:10:22 1:02:05 138.02 119.94
Race 214 John FAC4FX 0:08:43 1:24:47 1:16:04 112.65 97.89

Tom with his incredible speed was able to maintain the first position from the start to the finish. He was expected to clock over 250 mph. The reason he flew slower during the time than expected is because he covered extra ground. Apparently upon departure he flew towards the last checkpoint instead of the first checkpoint as he explains in another link.

We also had the next five aircraft change position during the course. Everything was extremely safe and everyone saw everyone else and used the air to air freq. to announce their intentions to pass and did it safety. Overall it was a very clean race and done very safe.

TOTC race memories Friday night July 9, 2010 - Ben Armen

Friday at Cecil County (58M) the weather was great. All the volunteers arrived to help make the TOTC a stellar event which included the Grand Marshall George, Back Up Ben, Computer expert Gloria, the Cook and Photographer Linda, and or Lead Ramper Robbie.

The tables and chairs were assembled at head quarters in the main hanger with all the other race materials. At this time Grand Marshall George reviewed the next day's weather and made the important call to delay the Saturday race till Sunday in hopes of an improved forecast at the time of the race. Back Up Ben was assigned the task of contacting all the racers and advising them of the delay while encouraging them to still come out for the fun.

Linda slaved over in advance of Friday evening preparing a banquet buffet. Linda produced restaurant style catering just as a professional company would have done but did not. She produced it in here own kitchen preparing baked Zita, salad, and bread all organized in large foil containers.

As the Friday night evening was set up we all socialized awaiting the anticipated arrival of one of SARL's most celebrated competitors AnnElise and her side kick Bobbie coming all the way from the Big D. AnnElise had just battled a line of weather from Arkansas to Buffalo which would have stopped a Boeing 747-sized bucking bull! It was amazing AnnElise had run the gauntlet and arrived like it was nothing. She is truly amazing! Upon entering Bobbie needed a beer and some local flavor. He was introduced to Yuengling Beer of Pottstown, PA and became an instant fan of America's Oldest brewery.

As everyone relaxed, ate and drank the conversation flowed. The British arrived when racer Gordon arrived with his lovely wife. Gordon flies a fierce RAF painting RV8. He tried to steal the Top of the Chesapeake 150 cake but was caught sticky fingered by Gotcha Gloria and dis-caked in the act. Not to be out done by the British our esteemed Canadian racer Tom and his lovely wife who are both fluent in French kept us informed in the finer points of the evening.

Everyone meet lead Ramper Robbie who entertained us with stories of surprise and suspense. Other local Chesapeake crabbing pilots based at Cecil County (58M) enjoyed the generous portions of food planned for a large crowd which did not become present. The evening was a success and enjoyed by all.