Formula One Air Racing
Encyclopedia
Formula One Air Racing is an American
motorsport
that involves small aircraft
using engines up to 200 cubic inches in displacement. Racers can reach speeds over 200 mph.
.
Formula One was first proposed in 1936 as "midget racing". The 190 Cubic in specification was set in 1946, and the first competition was set in 1947. Some 1930's air racers, like the Chester Jeep
and Loose Special
were retrofitted with smaller engines to compete. With the introduction of the Continental O-200
engine, the maximum engine displacement was raised to 200 cubic inches in 1968. Aircraft must have a minimum wing area of 66 square feet (6.1 m²), and an empty weight of 500 pounds or more. The aircraft must also have fixed landing gear, and a fixed pitch propeller. Racers compete in a 3.19 miles (5.1 km) Oval course.
Several aircraft were capable of meeting the specifications for Formula One at its creation. Specific designs were introduced shortly after that maximized speed for the configuration.
Aircraft include:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
motorsport
Motorsport
Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition...
that involves small aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
using engines up to 200 cubic inches in displacement. Racers can reach speeds over 200 mph.
History
Formula One air racing is sanctioned by the International Aeronautics FederationFédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
.
Formula One was first proposed in 1936 as "midget racing". The 190 Cubic in specification was set in 1946, and the first competition was set in 1947. Some 1930's air racers, like the Chester Jeep
Chester Jeep
|-See also:...
and Loose Special
Loose Special
-External links:*...
were retrofitted with smaller engines to compete. With the introduction of the Continental O-200
Continental O-200
The Continental C90 and O-200 are a family of air-cooled, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, direct-drive aircraft engines of 201 in³ displacement, producing between 90 and 100 horsepower ....
engine, the maximum engine displacement was raised to 200 cubic inches in 1968. Aircraft must have a minimum wing area of 66 square feet (6.1 m²), and an empty weight of 500 pounds or more. The aircraft must also have fixed landing gear, and a fixed pitch propeller. Racers compete in a 3.19 miles (5.1 km) Oval course.
Several aircraft were capable of meeting the specifications for Formula One at its creation. Specific designs were introduced shortly after that maximized speed for the configuration.
Aircraft include:
- Baker Special
- Cassutt SpecialCassutt Special|-References:* * -See also:...
- Chester JeepChester Jeep|-See also:...
- Loose SpecialLoose Special-External links:*...
- Mustang Aeronautics Midget MustangMustang Aeronautics Midget Mustang|-References:* -See also:...
- Sharp NemesisSharp Nemesis|- More Specifications :* Fuel capacity: 5 US gal* Stall speed: 90 Kias* G-Loading limits: +6, -4* Cabin height: 35 in...
- Wittman BonzoWittman DFA|-See also:-External links:*...
Champions
- Bill Falck - Rivets 1966, 1969
- Ray Cote - Shoestring 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975
- Jon Sharp - Nemesis 1994-1999
- Gary HublerGary HublerGary Hubler was a crop duster and commercial transport pilot with over 17,000 flight hours from Caldwell, Idaho. He was most notable for being Champion of the Formula 1 class of the Reno Air Races from 2002 through 2006....
- Mariah 2002-2006