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The North American P-51 Mustang
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P-51 Mustang at Reno 2015
Jet Class
story and photos by Curtis Fowles

The Jet Class races on the Unlimited Course that measures just over 8 miles and have speeds in excess of 500 mph! They are very fast, but coolness level is usually lacking except for some very nice paint jobs. This year the Vampire jet added some excitement in the Gold Final - hope you were watching the last few pylons. Sean Cushing in #8 "Fast Company" L-39 was 1st or 2nd all week. He started the Gold Final in 2nd behind Pete Zaccagnino in #24 Vampire. Cushing passed the Vampire and looked like he had the race, but Pete zoomed back on the last lap catching Cushing in the valley of speed and making a pass at the Home Pylon!

It was a bit confusing because #8 pulled up at the end of the race (as they do) and #24 and a few others kept on going around the course. Either way it was an exciting finish.

The jets are different - they smell and sound funny - but the racing is fast and competitive. The best sound from the jets is the after they pass, their wingtip vortices create (a dangerous) wind music.

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Jet Class Gold Final

 1 -  #24 Vampire, Pete Zaccagnino - 502 mph
 2 -   #8 Fast Company, Sean Cushing - 501
 3 -   #5 American Spirit, Rick Vandam - 492
 4 -  #66 True Blue, Mark Pracy - 449
 5 - #139 Darkstar, Vicky Benzing - 446
 6 -  #25 Czech 6, Mike Steiger - 441
 7 -  #15 Reality Czech, Bob Mills - 417
 8 -  #54 Robin I, Jeff Turney - 417

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Jet Class Silver Final

  1 - #10 Riff Raff, David Culler Jr - 431
  2 - #33 Blue Streak, Doug Matthews - 428 - cut +12sec
  3 - #39 Blue Merlin, Mike Mangold - 422
  4 - #15 Reality Czech, Bob mills - 420
  5 - #54 Robin I, Jeff Turney - 420
  6 -  #1 Hot Section, Lachlan Onslow - 407
  7 -  #6 Sluggo, Joe Gano - 385
      #61 Miss Independence, Charlie Camilleri - DQ - Low flying

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