Popham Aero Racer

records, racing & rally associatio

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AIR R ACING

Aero RacerPopham August 8/9 2015

After the cancellation of the Enniskillen race weekend due to

bad weather, everyone was looking forward to Popham with

all fingers crossed for a decent sky.

Luckily the sun arrived and we were set for a spectacular race

weekend. Popham is set in the most wonderful countryside, but next to

a main road for easy access, perfect.

It now seems that the Friday evening get together is very much

looked forward to, and with most planes and ground crew arriving on

Friday, a party at the Basingstoke Hilton began.

Transport to and from the airport was organised by Chris

Cunningham, who brought along his very red Routemaster London

Bus! As with the normal London service, the timings were a little out,

but fun and appreciated nevertheless!

There have also been some recent additions to the racing fraternity.

Annie and Dom Crossan brought along Sophia, Izindi and Rodders

came with Julia plus Roger and Chloe’s new arrival, Esme, who was

unable to attend. But as it takes Roger his full concentration to organise

himself, this may have been a blessing for all racers waiting on the start

line.

Friday evening fun

The Big Red Bus

Izindi is also training Julia to take over the handicapping department

and Julia’s current understanding of the air racing rules seem to be

superior to most air racers.

Chairman Mike Pearson presented the specific airfield notes and

briefed the race pilots on the race course, weather and recovery

procedure.

From September

this year, Mike is

going to become

the Popham Airfield

manager! Popham

was a new venue for

us last year, invited

and organised by

Gerry Smith. Popham

has now become a very well liked venue, with lots happening on the

airfield and many spectators. As well as our races, the Jaguar owners

club were exhibiting and the aero modellers were out in force, as well

as the normal air traffic and trial flights taking off and landing either side

Dom, Sophia and Annie Crossan

Julia working out who’s going to win!

and Julia checking on the rules.......

Mike Pearson

of our NOTAMed air space closure periods. Popham seems to be one

of those airfields that the aviation loving general public really like, and

with a great cafe, planes, motorbikes, model flyers and open access to

the flight line, what is there not to like. Many airfields could learn from

this open and friendly attitude.

Pete Chilcott was on hand to check all race plane and pilot

documents as well as collect money for the Saturday evening meal.

ALL pilots and navigators have to attend the briefings, so we all

squeezed into the club room we were generously allocated. It was a

little more crowded that normal as the BBC had popped in to learn our

procedures, as they intend to be on Alderney to film our exploits for the

BBC series ‘Skies Above Britain’. This will be a major series due to air

early next year. Alderney is normally well attended, but full support for

this BBC coverage on the last weekend of racing would be appreciated.

Also in the briefing room were Neil Wilson and Brian Hope from the

Light Aircraft Association. They had agreed to write an article on our

race weekend for the LAA Magazine. As the LAA look after the RV’s

and all home builts, we hope the article will inspire some more pilots to

try air racing. But with the RV’s taking over and winning everything, I’m

not sure if we need any more.....

I am told Roger and Dom have just bought an RV6 and Mark

Hanson, who flew in from Blackpool to attended Popham has

subsequently decided to join the racing team in his RV4! Well, if you

can’t beat them.....

A great turn out to watch the take off and race

Document check and sign in

Money

The briefing

The race course was slightly changed from last year. Mainly to avoid

the proximity of the Southampton zone.

The practise and recovery procedures were a little complicated, but

after a thorough briefing all went smoothly.

Jude Wordsworth and John Tansley made up the timing team and

were also the start officials. Great job guys!

The Popham ground crew were helpful, friendly and very

professional. Driving race crews around in their golf cart was also a skill

and many benefitted. Many thanks to all the Popham crew, including

the radio operators, canteen and managers. We look forward to another

amazing weekend next year.

The course

Practise and recovery procedures

Jude and JohnThe Time Team

Amazing Popham ground crew

It is worthy of note, that Gordon Bellerby decided to buy a brand

new Robin DR401 Diesel powered plane at the beginning of the 2015

season. With navigator Dave Lee, they have attended all races this

season and obviously been getting familiar with their new mount.

Diesel was a dirty word in the aviation community only a few years

ago. Now, with Avgas prices rising and the frugal burn of the cheaper

Jet A1 fuel, coupled with proven reliability, these engines seem to be

the future, (before electricity takes over).

Gordon and Dave won the Saturday Grosvenor Trophy flying their

Diesel DR401. As a point of history, this is the first Diesel powered

plane ever to win an air race!

Also, John Bate, a ‘new racer’ for this season, based at Blackpool

and flying an RV8, has been learning the black art of racing, navigation

and turns with no power loss while flying a few feet from his fellow

racers.

Being one of the fastest aircraft, John is placed at the back of the

take off queue, usually behind the previously fastest plane flown by

Geoffrey Boot, the SF260.

John brought all his new skills together for the Sunday race.

Romping over the line first to win his first race and hold the historic and

coveted SBAC Trophy. During his acceptance speech, John mentioned

his delight at winning, but more important for him was the fact that he

had overtaken and beaten Geoffrey Boot!

It is important to note, that while hyper competitive in the air, all is fun

and friendship on the ground. But it does feel good to beat Geoffrey!

The Diesel Boys

I beat Geoffrey !!!!!!!

The Racing TeamsRace: 15

Plane:

RV7

Pilot:

John Kelsall

Navigator:

Ian Scarborough

Race: 31Plane:

SF260W

Pilot:

Geoffrey Boot

Navigator:

Suzie Boot

Race: 85Plane:

RV8

Pilot:

Bob Ellis

Navigator:

Solo

Race: 8Plane:

Grumman AA5B

Pilot:

Dan Pangbourne

Navigator:

David Pangbourne

Race: 61Plane:

RV6

Pilot:

Mark Turner

Navigator:

Joanne Turner

Race: 74Plane:

RV8

Pilot:

John Bate

Navigator:

Solo


Plane:

TB20

Pilot:

Cliff Hawkins

Navigator:

Solo

Race: 82Plane:

Robin DR401D

Pilot:

Gordon Bellerby

Navigator:

Dave Lee

Race: 22Plane:

Cap10

Pilot:

Dave Moorman

Navigator:

Glynn Farrar

Race: 1Plane:

DR400 Robin

Pilot:

Martin Gosling

Navigator:

Solo

Race: 20Plane:

Lake Buccaneer

Pilot:

Roderick Morton

Navigator:

Solo

Race: 7Plane:

T67

Pilot:

Roger Scholes

Navigator:

Dom Crossan


Plane:

AA1C

Pilot:

Alan Turner

Navigator:

Rex Levi

Race: 11Plane:

Gruman AA5B

Pilot:

Andrew Dent

Navigator:

Solo

The Results - Saturday - The Grosvenor Trophy

Presented by Guy Hook

First Place:

Pilot: Gordon BellerbyNavigator: Dave Lee

Second Place:

Pilot: John KelsallNavigator: Ian Scarborough

Third Place:

Pilot: Martin Gosling

The Results - Sunday - SBACTrophy

Presented by Guy Hook

First Place:

Pilot: John Bate

Second Place:

Pilot: Martin Gosling

Third Place:

Pilot: John KelsallNavigator: Ian Scarborough

Fun pictures from the weekend !






The Winners! - Popham 2015

Congratulations to all the winners,and a big thank you to all the competitors,

ground crew and all at Popham Airport.

All the results and championship tables can be viewed at:www.RoyalAeroClubRRRA.com

The next race is at Shobdon, August 29/30 2015. See you there !!!

Popham 2015

Documents

Popham Aero Racer