One of the hallmarks of Experimental Aviation is a quest for efficiency; to go further and faster and higher for the same fuel consumption.  Fortunately our sport allows us to modify our aircraft in pursuit of this goal to whatever extent we believe necessary.  Engines, airfoils, airframe shape, drag reduction techniques, everything is fair game.  Historically, the proving ground for advancements in performance of any transport machine has been the race track, and aircraft are no different.

 

And so it was in the best tradition of the history of the pursuit of performance that on 11 November, 2006, Team Rocket hosted the First Annual Rocket 100 Air Race (110 sm, actually) in conjunction with the annual Rocket Fly In at Macho Grande airport, near Taylor, Texas.  Timers, Turn Observers and Start Marshalling race support was provided in part by volunteers from EAA Chapter 187.  Team Rocket markets high performance kit aircraft whose design pedigree can be traced back to the tremendous RV-4 model, and has builders around the world. 

 

For the race, 6 Rockets attended from as far away as British Columbia, Ontario and California.  Also fielded were examples of the Lancair 360, Glasair II, RV-8, RV-6, RV-7 and RV-7A, RV-3 and a Glastar.  Many of these experimental aircraft showcased their builder’s work to increase performance whether by rebuilt cowlings to reduce cooling drag, enclosed plenums, intake system modifications to increase ram air pressure and manifold pressure, or by the simple expedient of aerodynamic cleanup with tail wheel pants, faired pitot tubes, transponder and comm antennas, and taped-off NACA intakes.  Of course there was also wax - plenty of wax.

 

Since there are numerous performance modifications STC’d for production aircraft, there were several Factory classes to encourage owners of production aircraft to show to what extent their latest approved mods had increased their performance.  In the Factory classes were examples of V-and straight-tailed Bonanzas, a Bellanca Super Viking and a Piper PA24 Comanche.

 

After the race many of the participants enjoyed both a great Texas barbeque lunch at the Rocket Fly In, as well as the company of fellow competitors where new friendships were made and old friendships rekindled.  Aircraft lined the grass strip and cowls came off to display the improvements and “secrets” lurking within.  Since the race had no entry fees or purse, the competition was pure fun and entertainment – and education.  It was a mark of the camaraderie and respect for one another that information, technique and results were shared and discussed, and there were really no secrets at all.

 

It was no surprise when the first place honor went to a California F1 Rocket and pilot who are no strangers to the race course.  Greg Nelson and Race 22 have competed before at the Reno National Air Races and in the Rocket 100 he placed 1^st in the Experimental class for 540 and 550 CI engines.

More of a surprise was the aircraft which posted the 2^nd fastest time, a Lancair 360 piloted by Larry Henney.  With 2 fewer cylinders Larry posted a mere 7.6 MPH slower time than the first place ship.  Way to go, Larry!

In the Experimental class for 360 CI engines, John Huft flew his nicely prepared RV-8 to a 3rd behind Larry Henney and Don Saint in a Glasair II, with the rest of the RVs strung out behind him.  John was thinking performance from the time he drove the first rivet in his RV-8, and his many modifications which are detailed and published on his web site, proved themselves in a handsome manner.

 

That the Rocket 100 was a success, no one can argue.  That other builders were encouraged to further modifications of their projects is not in doubt.  That airplanes built in garages, shops and hangars around the country and the world can be put up against, and in many cases outperform, aircraft sold in the general aviation market is not in question.  The only questions is, by how much will they continue to improve, and who will win the 2007 Rocket 100 Air race?

 

 

 

 

Aircraft	Pilot/Owner	Class	Aircraft Type	Speed MPH
Race 22	Greg Nelson	EXP2	F1 Rocket	248.01
Race 09	Tom Martin	EXP2	F1 Rocket	236.24
Race 14	Wayne Hadath	EXP2	F1 Rocket	229.18
Race 12	Ray Edmiston	EXP2	F1 Rocket	228.78
Race 33	Jeff Linebaugh	EXP2	F1 Rocket	226.44
Race 104	Wolfgang Meyn	EXP2	F1 Rocket	213.12
Race 36	Larry Henney	EXP3	Lancair 360	240.37
Race 52	Don Saint	EXP3	Glasair II	227.48
Race 01	John Huft	EXP3	RV-8	216.01
Race 44	Robbie Attaway	EXP3	RV-6	203.13
Race 26	Mike Thompson	EXP3	RV-6	201.28
Race 04	Damon Berry	EXP3	RV-6	198.08
Race 11	Kevin Jackson	EXP3	RV-7	195.65
Race 80	Bob Japundza	EXP3	RV-6	194.69
Race 483	Jim Hard	EXP3	RV-7A	163.47
Race 66	James Hogue	EXP4	RV-3	181.81
Race 899	Mark Kiedrowski	EXP4	Glastar	139.89
Race 55	John Albury	FAC2	Bonanza	191.33
Race 77	Jim Huff	FAC2	Bonanza V35	190.14
Race 711	Terry Wills	FAC2	Piper PA24	180.09
Race 96	Dewy Elsik	FAC2	Bellanca Super Viking	164.35