Speed and Economy Air Race Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Hesperia Airport (L26) Organized by Dan "Sharpie" Checkoway

Welcome to the first annual "Sharpie 500" Speed and Economy Air Race. This event will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Hesperia Airport, L26 in Hesperia, CA. Please check back frequently, as this web page will be updated to reflect any changes made before the race.

The Goal
Let's have some fun flying our airplanes and earn big-time bragging rights. Or...go home crying, motivated to modify your airplane in order to win next time.

The Entrants (photos below)
The following pilots are registered. REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED due to lack of ramp space at L26 (next time we'll stage at a larger airport).

Name	Type	Powerplant	HP
Dan "Sharpie" Checkoway	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200
Brad "Wingnut" Peacock	RV-4	Lycoming IO-360	180+
David "Rodoc" Leonard	RV-6	Rotary	??
Eddy Tohikian	RV-8	Lycoming IO-360	200
Jim "Tooth" Klusmier	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200+
Jim "JP" Percy	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180
Mark "Bad Rivet" Manda	RV-7A	Lycoming IO-360	180+
Bryan "Groucho" Duke	RV-6	Lycoming O-360	180
Larry "Hack" Hackney	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180
Ken Holcomb	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200

The chief marshall/timing officer will be Gary "Condor" Sobek. Kip Haas may also marshall the event. The marshall(s) will determine the order of departures. All entrants will provide the chief marshall with an estimated time enroute no later than the start of the briefing.

The Schedule

Saturday, April 5, 2008

10:15am	Arrivals and fueling
11:15am	Mandatory briefing
11:30am	Departures commence
12:15pm	Approximate time arrivals will start trickling in
1:30pm	Rankings published, possible award "ceremony" over lunch

The Course
The race course itself is relatively short and extremely simple: L26 - HEC - DAG - L26. At just 111 nautical miles, the triangular course begins with a takeoff at L26. The first leg beelines for Hector VOR, at which point there are two "pylon turns" around Hector and Daggett VORs respectively, followed by a home stretch back to the finish line at L26 (see "The Logistics" below for arrival details). The two long legs cover open, unpopulated areas, but there is some high terrain to contend with. Because of the varying terrain elevation, race pilots must use their cunning and skill to select an optimal altitude profile.

The Logistics
Hesperia was selected because of its typically low price on 100LL fuel. To begin the event, all race pilots must arrive well enough in advance of the briefing (see "The Schedule" above) in order to fuel up their airplanes. Everybody must top off their tanks to start. Once all of the airplanes are fueled and ready, we will hold a mandatory briefing to review the rules and answer any last-minute questions.

There will be at least one volunteer marshall who will stay on the ground at L26 to note exact departure and arrival times. Airplanes will be staged on the taxiway so that pilots can start up, run-up, and go with minimal time running on the ground. Each race aircraft will depart individually, and departures will be staggered by 2 minutes. The marshall will enforce the 2-minute delay and will release each pilot via a radio call. The marshall will note the pilot's departure time as the exact moment the plane begins its takeoff roll.

After takeoff, each race pilot has no restrictions (other than what the FARs impose) on his or her track and altitude. All that matters is that the pylon turns are made outside of the VORs. The "honor system" will be in effect here. There's no pride in cheating!

On arrival back at L26, the "finish line" is the threshold to Runway 21 (regardless of which runway is in use). You should fly as directly over this point as possible. The marshall(s) will be staged in the transient parking area and will be able to time arrivals over the finish line accordingly. Each aircraft must cross the finish line at or above TPA.

If Runway 21 is active, race aircraft may simply overfly Runway 21 at (or above) TPA to enter the pattern. The crosswind turn is at the race pilot's discretion, but obviously DO NOT cut off other aircraft in the pattern.

If Runway 3 is active, race aircraft must fly 500' above TPA until crossing the finish line, at which point you may descend and enter the pattern in a conventional manner. This may be accomplished either by entering downwind "directly" (only if traffic permits), or by flying outbound and returning on the 45 to sequence with other traffic in the pattern. Again, you must not cut off any aircraft established in the pattern.

The marshall will make note of each pilot's exact finish time. Each race pilot must fly a normal pattern to land. Straight-in approaches to land are not allowed. The size of the pattern flown must be safe and must not present a conflict for any other traffic in the pattern or a safety hazard.

After landing and clearing the runway, each race pilot must taxi directly to the fuel pumps and top off his or her tanks, which will determine the exact quantity of fuel consumed during the race. This process will be monitored closely by the marshall and other race pilots. No cheating!

The Prizes
There will actually be two prize categories. Ok, there aren't any prizes, but there will definitely be bragging rights! That, and the results will be posted here for all to see. The two ranking categories are:

• Fastest Mother-F'er. The course distance (111.1) is divided by time enroute to determine average groundspeed. The pilot with the fastest speed wins this category.

• Best Speed with Economy. The idea here is not "most economical," but rather how much speed you can extract while preserving noteworthy economy. "Gets you there on the cheap but doesn't take forever to get there." The "E" factor for each entrant will be calculated – a function of distance, time, and fuel burned:
  

  Or...if you want to calculate your "instantaneous E factor" irrespective of distance, you can use this variation of the formula:

  

  As you can see, it closely follows nm-per-gallon, but it does slightly favor speed over pure economy. 200 knots on 8 gallons per hour, which is essentially unachievable in our RVs and Rockets (without a tailwind), produces an "E" factor of 100.0. Typical values will range between 60 and 80. The pilot with the highest "E" factor wins this category.

Each race pilot is definitely NOT limited to just one category. All entrants will be ranked in both categories. If you think you can top everybody in both categories, all the power to you! More than likely, pilots will opt one way or the other, and will select their power setting/speed/altitude accordingly. Everybody needs to keep this in mind. There may be passing, and the rules (below) apply.

The Rules

• SAFETY FIRST!!!
• Use common sense and don't bust any FARs! i.e. 91.119(c)
• You must attend the mandatory general pre-race safety briefing.
• You must top off your tanks at L26 prior to the race.
• You must do a pre-takeoff run-up (i.e. mag check) – no skimping on safety to conserve fuel!
• Timing begins the exact moment the airplane begins its takeoff roll.
• Enroute track and altitude is at your discretion.
• While enroute, monitor the air-to-air frequency (will be briefed).
• You are strongly encouraged to announce your position (i.e. distance to the next fix) every 5 minutes.
• Make your turns OUTSIDE each of the VOR "pylons" – honor system, no cheating!
• Aircraft on the inside of the turns have the right of way.
• When passing another race aircraft, you must announce prior to doing so on the air-to-air frequency.
• Always pass on the RIGHT of other aircraft.
• Avoid flying in the "blind spot" of another aircraft (i.e. below and/or behind).
• See & avoid traffic in the pattern at both KDAG and KAPV.
• Cutting off other traffic, i.e. in pylon turns or on arrival, is strictly prohibited and will DQ you.
• Straight-in approaches to land are strictly prohibited and will DQ you.
• On arrival at L26, enter the pattern as described in the preceding text, at or above the TPA of 4390' MSL.
• Timing ends as the marshall determines you have crossed the finish line overhead.
• The pattern is at your discretion, but DO NOT cut off other aircraft in the pattern. Be safe and courteous.
• You must top off your tanks at L26 after the race.
• You can withdraw at any point. If you're airborne, use air-to-air to communicate with the marshall or other racers. If you don't return to L26, make sure somebody knows your intention so we don't go looking for a crash site!
• Have fun!!!

The Results

Fastest Mother-F'er (ranked by highest average course speed)

Rank	Name	Knots	ET	E	Gal	MPG	Type	Powerplant	HP	Propeller
1	Brad "Wingnut" Peacock	182.05	0:36:37	68.99	8.50	15.03	RV-4	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Hartzell 7666
2	Eddy Tohikian	178.55	0:37:20	64.25	9.61	13.30	RV-8	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell
3	Dan "Sharpie" Checkoway	175.81	0:37:55	68.07	8.43	15.16	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell 7666
4	Bryan "Groucho" Duke	171.66	0:38:50	63.70	9.40	13.59	RV-6	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7666
5	David "Rodoc" Leonard	171.14	0:38:57	62.94	9.60	13.31	RV-6	Rotary	???	Catto 3-blade
6	Mark "Bad Rivet" Manda	169.19	0:39:24	57.76	11.27	11.34	RV-7A	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Whirlwind 200RV
7	Jim "Tooth" Klusmier	164.66	0:40:29	62.32	9.42	13.56	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200+	MT 3-blade
8	Jim "JP" Percy	149.57	0:44:34	72.63	6.30	20.28	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
9	Larry "Hack" Hackney	146.40	0:45:32	71.02	6.45	19.81	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA

Best Speed With Economy (ranked by highest "E")

Rank	Name	E	Gal	MPG	Knots	ET	Type	Powerplant	HP	Propeller
1	Jim "JP" Percy	72.63	6.30	20.28	149.57	0:44:34	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
2	Larry "Hack" Hackney	71.02	6.45	19.81	146.40	0:45:32	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
3	Brad "Wingnut" Peacock	68.99	8.50	15.03	182.05	0:36:37	RV-4	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Hartzell 7666
4	Dan "Sharpie" Checkoway	68.07	8.43	15.16	175.81	0:37:55	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell 7666
5	Eddy Tohikian	64.25	9.61	13.30	178.55	0:37:20	RV-8	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell
6	Bryan "Groucho" Duke	63.70	9.40	13.59	171.66	0:38:50	RV-6	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7666
7	David "Rodoc" Leonard	62.94	9.60	13.31	171.14	0:38:57	RV-6	Rotary	???	Catto 3-blade
8	Jim "Tooth" Klusmier	62.32	9.42	13.56	164.66	0:40:29	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200+	MT 3-blade
9	Mark "Bad Rivet" Manda	57.76	11.27	11.34	169.19	0:39:24	RV-7A	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Whirlwind 200RV

In addition to the two "prize categories," here are some other rankings just for kicks...

Best Economy (ranked by highest MPG)

Rank	Name	MPG	E	Gal	Knots	ET	Type	Powerplant	HP	Propeller
1	Jim "JP" Percy	20.28	72.63	6.30	149.57	0:44:34	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
2	Larry "Hack" Hackney	19.81	71.02	6.45	146.40	0:45:32	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
3	Dan "Sharpie" Checkoway	15.16	68.07	8.43	175.81	0:37:55	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell 7666
4	Brad "Wingnut" Peacock	15.03	68.99	8.50	182.05	0:36:37	RV-4	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Hartzell 7666
5	Bryan "Groucho" Duke	13.59	63.70	9.40	171.66	0:38:50	RV-6	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7666
6	Jim "Tooth" Klusmier	13.56	62.32	9.42	164.66	0:40:29	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200+	MT 3-blade
7	David "Rodoc" Leonard	13.31	62.94	9.60	171.14	0:38:57	RV-6	Rotary	???	Catto 3-blade
8	Eddy Tohikian	13.30	64.25	9.61	178.55	0:37:20	RV-8	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell
9	Mark "Bad Rivet" Manda	11.27	57.76	11.34	169.19	0:39:24	RV-7A	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Whirlwind 200RV

This next ranking system factors the price of gas into "E" to produce "E-sub-cash". Rodoc runs MOGAS, which cost $3.55/gal on race day, compared to $4.36/gal for 100LL.

E-sub-cash

Rank	Name	E-sub-cash	Cost	Cost/Mi	Gal	MPG	Knots	ET	Type	Powerplant	HP	Propeller
1	Jim "JP" Percy	72.63	$27.47	$0.21	6.30	20.28	149.57	0:44:34	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
2	Larry "Hack" Hackney	71.02	$28.12	$0.22	6.45	19.81	146.40	0:45:32	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
3	David "Rodoc" Leonard	69.75	$34.08	$0.27	9.60	13.31	171.14	0:38:57	RV-6	Rotary	???	Catto 3-blade
4	Brad "Wingnut" Peacock	68.99	$37.06	$0.29	8.50	15.03	182.05	0:36:37	RV-4	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Hartzell 7666
5	Dan "Sharpie" Checkoway	68.07	$36.75	$0.29	8.43	15.16	175.81	0:37:55	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell 7666
6	Eddy Tohikian	64.25	$41.90	$0.33	9.61	13.30	178.55	0:37:20	RV-8	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell
7	Bryan "Groucho" Duke	63.70	$40.91	$0.32	9.40	13.59	171.66	0:38:50	RV-6	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7666
8	Jim "Tooth" Klusmier	62.32	$41.07	$0.32	9.42	13.56	164.66	0:40:29	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200+	MT 3-blade
9	Mark "Bad Rivet" Manda	57.76	$49.14	$0.38	11.27	11.34	169.19	0:39:24	RV-7A	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Whirlwind 200RV

And, finally, here are rankings by total cost (with MOGAS factored in for Rodoc).

Lowest Cost

Rank	Name	Cost	Cost/Mi	Gal	MPG	Knots	ET	Type	Powerplant	HP	Propeller
1	Jim "JP" Percy	$27.47	$0.21	6.30	20.28	149.57	0:44:34	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
2	Larry "Hack" Hackney	$28.12	$0.22	6.45	19.81	146.40	0:45:32	RV-7A	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7496 BA
3	David "Rodoc" Leonard	$34.08	$0.27	9.60	13.31	171.14	0:38:57	RV-6	Rotary	???	Catto 3-blade
4	Dan "Sharpie" Checkoway	$36.75	$0.29	8.43	15.16	175.81	0:37:55	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell 7666
5	Brad "Wingnut" Peacock	$37.06	$0.29	8.50	15.03	182.05	0:36:37	RV-4	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Hartzell 7666
6	Bryan "Groucho" Duke	$40.91	$0.32	9.40	13.59	171.66	0:38:50	RV-6	Lycoming O-360	180	Hartzell 7666
7	Jim "Tooth" Klusmier	$41.07	$0.32	9.42	13.56	164.66	0:40:29	RV-7	Lycoming IO-360	200+	MT 3-blade
8	Eddy Tohikian	$41.90	$0.33	9.61	13.30	178.55	0:37:20	RV-8	Lycoming IO-360	200	Hartzell
9	Mark "Bad Rivet" Manda	$49.14	$0.38	11.27	11.34	169.19	0:39:24	RV-7A	Lycoming IO-360	180+	Whirlwind 200RV

Photos of the Racers on April 5, 2008

Brad "Wingnut" Peacock

Eddy Tohikian

Dan "Sharpie" Checkoway

Bryan "Groucho" Duke

David "Rodoc" Leonard

Mark "Bad Rivet" Manda

Jim "Tooth" Klusmier

Jim "JP" Percy

Larry "Hack" Hackney (right, and marshall Howard Long, left)

Chief Marshall Gary "Condor" Sobek