Now things start to get serious as the tempo picks up going into the weekend.

STEAD – Air Race Update for today has the final qualifying sessions, some practice time for racers and the first heat races.

Dan Angelo from Valley of Speed graphics putting the final touches on Miss TNT’s modern vintage graphics.

In the pits chane continues as Dan Angelo from Valley of Speed puts the new vintage graphics on Miss TNT, a T-6 that has won six gold titles.

Rare Bear won’t be playing this year but it on display in a VIP section.

Over in the VIP section of the pits two Unlimiteds are on display. One is the Rare Bear while the other is #232 that Hoot Gibson flew. Sadly neither are competing this year.

Another fast mover on display is 232.

Not far away are the wings and a section of Precious Metal mounted on a trailer. Owner and Formula One pilot Thom Richard explained they were asked to display them and there is a booth selling merchandise to help defray the repair costs.

Richard said the aircraft is in pieces with various sections going different places for restoration. Once completed all the pieces will travel back to Florida where the aircraft will be reassembled.

Precious Metal sections on display in front of the booth selling the aircraft’s merchandise. These parts are on their way to be repaired.

Hopefully with luck Precious Metal will return to Reno’s skies next year along with Rare Bare and 232. And who knows, maybe even Strega.

In another area of the pits Dennis Buehn was meeting with several groups of youngsters.

Dennis Buehn with North Vally’s High School JROTC.

First up was the JROTC from North Valley High School. After having their photos taken with Buehn he led them over to the airplane and the students began to sign their names on it.

JROTC students were the first group of youngsters getting to sign a T-6 racer.

When it’s all done they figure over 300 will have placed their names on this T-6 racer.

Back on the field the classes ran their first heats of the week and got racing started.

Now that qualifying is over it’s time to race. Biplanes are set to launch in their first race of the week.

The three Formula One winners were Tom Watkins (1C), Des Hart (1B) and Lowell Slatter (1A). In the Biplanes the winners were Jeffery Lo (1B) and Jeff Rose (1A).

Moving up Brett Schuck won Sport heat 1D while John Lohmar win T-6 heat 1C and in the jets the 1C heat winner was Charlie Camilleri.

Tomorrow, Thursday things get rolling with heat races and opening ceremonies around 10:30 then at 11:45 the Blue Angels arrive. Later in the afternoon, around 2:45 they’ll do their practice show and at 4:45, after the jet heat, more static aircraft should arrive.

That’s it for now. If you want more information please go to www.airrace.org.

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