Dago Red 500 MPH attempt Sept 2000

Reno Air Races September 2000. Dago Red had a good qualifying time and all week fans were asking us if we were going to try another attempt to try to break the 500 MPH record. We had several crew meeting, as we always did, and discussed the possibility. The decision was made to not try for the record but instead save the airplane and engine for the Sunday race. If you can’t make the Sunday race your chances of collecting a check on Sunday become a little puny.
RARA was approached and we were given an opportunity to make our bid for the record. They scheduled one lap on the course after the race on Sunday if we elected to give it a try. We asked that this attempt not be put on the published schedule but when the Sunday schedule came out low and behold the attempt was included.
To give the crew time to pit the airplane RARA scheduled a jet race to make up the time gap, there just happened to be several L39s sitting around that year. Enter the jet races that continue to this day.
The plan was that if we wanted to go for it we would taxi to the fuel truck instead of the winning circle, provided the winning circle was an option. As with any race there are many things that would keep any airplane from that elusive circle. Dago won the Sunday race that year and the decision to go for the attempt was made while taxiing in.
The crew pitted Dago in about 20 minutes. The stop included checking all the plugs and servicing the airplane to the loads of fuel, water and ADI to the desired levels, and no, no nitrous was used. We never used it. Oh yea, the windshield got cleaned too.
The jets completed their race which was run on the T6 course. At that time they weren’t quite fast enough unlimited course.
This is the cockpit video of that attempt. If you were at the races that day you’ll remember that it was a relativity shout run. If you weren’t there enjoy this little clip.

[@harryberry474]

At 11:27 he starts take off, at 12:12 strong shaking (broke rod?) ...13:22 touch down 👍 WOW! What a great job Skip 👏👏 He did all that like it was planned and just another day at the office. To me it would have been full panic mode. Unbelievable! Maybe broke record for the shortest flight ever in a Unlimited Air Racer.

[@411member]

Is that Skip Holm piloting? Appears to take off and have engine trouble and bring it right around for quick landing?

[@tomsmothermon6373]

411member Sorry for the delay getting back. Yes that was Skip flying. The engine broke a rod just after takeoff and Skip did a hell of a job getting it back on the ground safely. It happened with just takeoff power, about 60 inches, never got to race power.

[@grafspeem9402]

that Manifold pressure gage 11:21 wonder how much boost was running on this p-51. i can bearly see but its scaled to 150 right ??

[@tomsmothermon6373]

I'd need to look at some other photos to see what the gauge was calibrated to but the rule of thumb was to set the MAP to 120 and see who wants to play, push it up in you needed. That's what Skip did on that race. He may have pushed it up a little but I don't think he needed to. It was a Friday race and the conditions were perfect. We never went to 150.

[@grafspeem9402]

@@tomsmothermon6373 120 boost is still crazy for piston engine :P

[@TheJustinJ]

Pressure ratio 4:1

[@bearbon2]

Well it certainly rolls well.

[@tomsmothermon6373]

bearbon2 Rolling saves on tires.

[@dwainharris6295]

No wonder the motor blew.this was after dago had just raced

[@afrog2666]

Sound is right channel only :/