Like you can't get in enough trouble with a 500 mph prop, there's a Jet Class.
Spec L-39?
The unlimited class is faster than the jets. Just sayin'
As much as I love the idea of jet racing, did we learn nothing from Goose's untimely passing?
In reply to kazoospec :
If you've never left your wingman, then you've certainly learned the most valuable lesson.
Mucking about with airplanes is a whole other level of "f-you money" that I can barely fathom. I'd imagine fielding a racing jet would be above even F1 team funding.
L-39s are relatively cheap as far as aircraft and jets are concerned. I wouldn't be suprised to learn the unlimiteds spend 10 times the amount as the jets. Unlimiteds is where the berk you money is.
The last " cheap " class is the biplane class.
Somebody’s running a Vampire in that race.
Appleseed said:L-39s are relatively cheap as far as aircraft and jets are concerned.
Only the buy in may be cheap. Nothing else will be.
Duke said:Somebody’s running a Vampire in that race.
Did you notice how much more runway it needed to get off the ground? Those early jet engines were seriously underpowered.
Is there anything that would prevent the Collings Foundation from showing up with their Phantom? I mean, other than the fuel bill.
The jets are fine, but clearly lack the purely unique sound of the unlimiteds. The unlimited also add that always present danger of the engines flying apart.
If someone really wanted to throw money at the race (no reason to really) it would be a race of essentially trying to stay sub-sonic. They do sometimes have the military demo (e.g. F16) do a lap of the course.
It would be great to assemble some of the old school 60's jets that are still flying and do a race. The F4 would be hilariously (and painfully) loud. I know there is a flying A4 Skyhawk somewhere which would make for a tight line around the course. Throw in a Mig 19 and Mig 21 and you would have the loudest race ever. I think there is still a flying F104 around... that would be brave.
If the Phantom ever gets out front, the rest will be lost in the smoke cloud.
F-4s are fast, but an L-39 would eat it alive in the turns. Phantoms are proof that with enough thrust, a brick will fly.
The price of a zero timed Merlin engine for a P-51, stock rebuild, is around $220,000. A L-39 with 400 hours since major overhaul is sitting on Barnstormers right now for $190,000. I stand by my statement. 
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