Reno 2017 Unlimited Gold race

[@peanutbutter4829]

There's not a better sound as those engines can make ... Love it!!!

[@Yosemite-George-61]

Reno Racing is dying... so is great to see a team like Voodoo breaking a record and keeping things alive for a while. I used to be a Bear fan, and I remember when Voodoo struggled... I thought they were just not serious, but over the years they kept at it, got better and better and finally they arrived, and now they are the fastest piston engined aircraft in the world. Impressive ! I'm so glad they changed the paintjob ( I'm old) I'm now a Voodo Fan, and I will build a flying model of the record airplane. Thanks for keeping us dreaming. All the best in 2018

[@_dave4460]

that’s music to old ears; beauty to old eyes. thanks for the share! i think i feel my heart beatin’ again...

[@sommer_444]

Music to young ears too!!!

[@_dave4460]

BACn EGGz glad you like it!

[@jimowens2283]

This may have not been the ending you wanted but your cockpit cam caught the most poignant moment at the end when Steve shut it down and took a moment for himself. You kind of knew Voodoo’s racing days were done. Nice job, Voodoo 1650.

[@stevethomas-cc5lz]

voodoo has been rebuilt and now flies 564 mph

[@hshermano1305]

Great race indeed!! Both Voodoo and Strega performed amazingly!!!!

[@5dmkiii60]

It's always a race between Voodoo and Strega. They are lapping everyone else. Those poor Sea Fury guys get passed by like they're in a different class race. Czech Mate, when it's there, usually could hang in for a 3rd place finish. Before Voodoo and Strega hit their stride, Rare Bear used to be odds on fav for every race. But once Voodoo and Strega dialed things in...it's been a two plane race ever since. I attended the 2023 races and Voodoo was the absolute fav to win. Steveo won by points as the final race got cancelled due to the T-6 crashes. I was at another race in the early 2000's where Voodoo won in the more usual, yellow / purple painted livery as he duke'd it out with Streaga. The other planes are pretty much there to fill out the roster, but for so many years, it's been a race between only two planes...Voodoo and Strega. They are the, "Brides." All the others have just been, "Bridesmaids."

[@alynnhiscox7303]

I love this video, and all of your videos. Sadly, I feel that this is the last fast Unlimited race that we'll ever see at Reno. Been a good run.

[@philiprawbon2359]

really what a loss

[@brandonhill2183]

I long for the days when Voodoo, Strega, Rare Bear, Miss America, September Fury, and my favorite...Dago Red were all there

[@brandonhill2183]

And white lightning

[@khonglo9843]

Dago red was my fav too

[@brandonhill2183]

@@mothzy1077 what are you talking about?

[@philmontejano5971]

That will probably never happen again unfortunately

[@fridaycaliforniaa236]

And Galloping Ghost

[@joeblow5037]

We can sure see why there are no palm trees around 🏝 Them boys was cuttin the grass!!! another GREAT video presentation 😁 Youthtube FINALLY gets an algorhythem correct!

[@Voodoo1650]

Thank you!

[@marioreis7347]

I could keep listening to that sound all day long!! Superb!!

[@CMH-aviation]

it gives me chills every time i hear those planes scream around the track at full power

[@marioreis7347]

I feel the same.

[@mikelane8814]

............sound going away, incredible

[@nonyabiz9487]

Yea rich mans flying fuckin hot rod... gives old rich pricks hard dicks again!

[@matthewb1973]

By far the most amazing race I’ve ever seen! Absolutely epic... And, congratulations to Voodoo and all the Race 5 Team for your World Record!

[@globaleye8]

Was here in 2004... a great couple of days. Top notch planes and people, must return one day.

[@Jpriest13]

I was there tues-sun for those races. First time in my life. That race was beyond an exclamation point for my time up there. Was hoping to make 2018, but life got in the way. The videos I shot didn't hold a candle to that. Now I can show this to my friends and show them what they missed.👍

[@michaejlt]

Awesome!! It will go down as one of the best finishes between two gladiators battling it out. Congratulations to both Strega & Voodoo!

[@jettechdonatkins]

For sure an awesome race you could see Strega had the beans,but Voodoo with Steve flying was the tightest and lowest I've seen,it was very sweet! Congrats on being on their crew,I just retired as a licensed a&p,loved working on and being around aircraft! Thanks!!

[@mohavedesertdreaming]

I truly enjoyed this race! Both Steve and Jay did a superior job in airmanship in flying the course tight and fast! The best race we've seen since the Friday heat between Strega and Voodoo in 2012! I worried though that they had so much slower traffic to navigate around this year! that had me on the edge of my seat more than the actual neck in neck racing! I think that in itself did have some bearing in the outcome of this race! Although I have no doubt that Jay did a fabulous job and won fair and square!

[@rampking1]

Yep, the Yak was a speed bump on the course , had no business in the Gold class.

[@Th3Gr33k]

I've watched this far too many times now. The noise is addictive

[@harryberry474]

Th3Gr33k...Noise? Nah... that's sweet music.

[@Lozzie74]

Such low flying in steep turns! Amazing!

[@Pylon5Productions]

Fantastic work as always, Jason. This one was especially well put together. Thanks to Team Voodoo for all the hard work over the years, and for allowing us fans and photogs to enjoy the sights and sounds year in and year out; its not easy to see my favorite Unlimited Gold racer go, but I'm just glad I got to witness one of the best races Reno has seen. Looking forward to the rest of your coverage!

[@Th3Gr33k]

What happened with Voodoo? Not a lot of info on why they retired her?

[@Pylon5Productions]

​@@Th3Gr33k I think there's a few reasons why Voodoo was retired, but the most decisive one was the owner's choice to put air racing in the rearview. He'd been putting a lot of money and effort throughout the years, and figured it was time to "hang it up." Other reasons include the decline of competition in the unlimited class, purse money being less and less every year, and focus on other endeavors such as the world speed record. I wasn't there for the record run, so this is pure outside-looking-in speculation, but it seemed like the record run straight into Reno really took a lot out of the team. As for what's happened to the airplane, it's kept in good shape at Planes of Fame in Chino. Thankfully, it's staying in its racing configuration, and Stevo still flies it in airshows and air race demos. It's been "retired" before, so I'll never say never when it comes to it seeing the course again, but seeing as the owner still has the race engines, I'd say it'd be up to him if it were to ever race again.

[@Th3Gr33k]

@@Pylon5Productions Cheers for the reply! It's a shame that it seems to be in decline. Seems I'm just a little too young to have seen the hayday of a lot of sports and Reno is certainly one of them. Glad that there are some great archive footage. I'm hopeful that Reno can survive all the current crazy.

[@Th3Gr33k]

@@Pylon5Productions Unfortunately I'm over in the UK. Getting over there isn't really a realistic option right now. I'm hopeful that one day, which is a bit of a "next year" sentiment, but I think I can be excused a little ha ha.

[@billgarnett388]

Great work Jason. One of the best races of all time. It’s too bad Voodoo’s motor didn’t last another lap. As your video clearly show, it didn’t have enough left to taxi back to the pits.

[@88mike42]

Bill...what is Hinton working with his left hand in the corner of the instrument panel, at the end of the video?

[@charlesburkholder9110]

@@88mike42 pumping the throttle

[@philiprawbon2359]

this is just awesome..it gives me the chills..gotta go see this!

[@mothzy1077]

WOW awesome , what i love most is "no comments" just the astonishing sounds of these flying birds

[@kenprice1961]

And 2017 AT-6 Class GOLD RACE winner.....John Lohmar, Race 88!!

[@marinjeam]

Thats some incredible close racing.Congrats Voodoo!!!!

[@bretz71]

Great video. ‘Stevie’ is an awesome pilot. Strega is an awesome plane. I miss the Red Baron, Super Corsair, and Rare Bear. And Howard Pardue in his Bearcat, R.I.P.

[@dpmdcarr]

I lived in Reno as a kid from 69 to 78. Went to Stead several times. Loved the “White Lightning” and Mustangs. year.

[@sugey349]

nice battle for both, and thanks for share the pass, epic race!

[@MrEndoftheRoadRC]

Fantastic video from the bottom to the top. Thanks again 1650.

[@tedrobinson5743]

Thank You I VERY Sick This year but I did manage to make it to the parking lot for the last 2on Sunday Being A RENOITE I LOVE THAT SOUND! THANK YOU SIR!

[@radioguy1620]

Thanks for posting well done by all.

[@brendaproffitt1011]

Totally Beautiful plane's just amazing they look wow super flying you done an excellent job..Thank you so much

[@RemoVegas]

That Was Awesome "As Usual" Your Videos Are "The BEST" - Hands Down..! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU..!

[@johnosbourn4312]

Awesome video, guys!

[@airailimages]

Nice videography and good editing. Thumbs up.

[@qera001]

airailimages 🤩⚒💎

[@GoneDeep6K]

Awesome to see the Yak3 having a go

[@warbirdfotos]

Fantastic, Jason!

[@susanbutler2498]

"Full Noise" Yak3M (Alison V12) my claim to fame is that I was in the back "seat" for a full aerobatic at Hood Aerodrome earlier this year! A bonus was the B-52 that turned up unexpectedly!

[@JRVAviationVideos]

Wonderful! Thanks! Loved it! :-)

[@mikejohnson5900]

Ive been to the races at Reno before, but I didn't have an understanding of the danger of it. I was a nervous wreck watching this...especially seeing the cockpit view and how low they were flying at speed. I was counter-leaning in my chair and tense the entire time. I was not there this year and while disappointed, I was also glad not to have attended and not seen the tragic crash. Much respect to all these pilots and their entire teams! Oh and RIP Sherman Smoot who was tragically killed a month before this year's races.

[@twocyborgdogs]

Thanks for this video, I may never get to see the races in person, this is just as exciting though, It's ride-along. Awesomeness!

[@mdgbu123456789]

Got a heartattac at 5:00.... Holy shit is that sound awesome

[@ramirocasco5167]

X2

[@v12tommy]

Sweet mother of god that was an awesome race!!!

[@billyhillk5726]

480+ mph !! Dang, that'll bring home some bacon !! 💥

[@harryberry474]

Jay was flying all over the place really horsing the plane around, Steve flew smooth as silk and lost. Steve flew a beautiful line the whole race too bad no wonder he needed to be alone afterward.

[@gmanchurch]

Since Jay won the race he evidently flew the better line. Not bad for his second year of air racing at Reno!

[@fcalkofen973]

A very good impression how short one lap really is at that speed :)

[@lancelotlalla7561]

How fast are these babies going,just curious,awesome videos !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Voodoo1650]

Lancelot Lalla Coming down the chute they're 500+ mph, then once on the course they were running in the high 480's, plus having to work around planes that were 100 mph slower.

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

soaringtractor _____ Fuck off Wilbur.

[@spitfire1649]

don't think ive ever seen steve that close to his own shadow

[@lufwaffeaircraft]

yeah that was low AF

[@kenmackie8877]

The speed variance between the leaders and the rest of the field seems kind of dangerous. I seem to remember a packed field in the past where there wasn't just two 400+ mph racers. Then again, the last race I saw live was in the 90's, so there's the memory factor.

[@patalexander1965]

Awesome, just awesome!

[@paulmurphy42]

Can anyone tell me exactly how the engines on the Reno Racers have been modified compared to the original WW2 engines? I know that they've put special fuel in them and they suspend the normal operating limitations - but what other modifications have they made, exactly? Many thanks.

[@lw216316]

A T-33 jet as a pace plane - that's when you know your prop race is going to be fast! At our RC field we have T-33s, Bear Cats and others and I fly a P51 Miss America and an F16 Thunderbird jet. If you can't be in the real thing then fly a model.

[@jeffcole9822]

My avi shop worked on strega long ago and will try to Reno again this year

[@oscarzt1652]

i was really excited to see what strega had in mind

[@jrfoleyjr]

I hear those big engines wailing out that sound and expect to hear the ride of the valkyries playing in the background. It makes my hair stand up. I love it! There is no other sound in motor racing quite like it. What I do not understand is why no one brings a F4U Corsair to compete in this race. Are they not fast enough?

[@Voodoo1650]

jrfoleyjr There was a highly modified Corsair that the Planes of Fame folks campaigned for several years back in the 80's and early 90's until it crashed in 94, It was fast but would not compete against today's top Gold racers. Look up Planes of Fame Super Corsair, there's tons of pics and some videos.

[@rexrr4402]

What race!! How much its the revs of motor?? Omg. It sound orgasmic!

[@poly_hexamethyl]

How come there aren't any Gee Bee's in this race?

[@tecnesiomagnesio9480]

the best air plane racer. with no putting on risk the life. voodoo and hinton

[@andytothesky]

I wonder how much horsepower they managed to pull out of Voodoo’s engine? All these aircraft are beyond fantastic works of engineering

[@Voodoo1650]

andytothesky The race engine in Voodoo was putting out around 3,800hp in top form!

[@andytothesky]

Voodoo1650 wow that’s insane, from a Packard Merlin too!

[@bobdyer422]

I was hoping you took a good vid, but this! Excellent! The cockpit view is fantastic, slow traffic, and a LOW PASS, WILD! What broke in the Merlin to slow Jr. down?

[@Voodoo1650]

bob dyer This engine was Voodoo’s backup race engine after the record run engine and it wasn’t making the same top end power that we wanted by Sunday, plus as you can see from the landing the carburetor wasn’t happy, so we’re lucky she lasted till the end of the race. She was still hauling ass though😀. The engine was still in good shape after the race and all it needed was a carburetor swap and she flew home on Tuesday.

[@jettrink7510]

Yeah we'd like to view the other planes also.

[@todd3205]

It looks like Mr. Hinton is about 13 ft. off the ground.

[@Slaktrax]

Merlin power. How impressive are these engines that were first designed and built in the early 1930's. A bit different to the first PV12 though).

[@aidanbegovic9584]

Just watched a vid of Steve trying to beat the world record(speed)and just found this channel😂

[@DustyBalz]

The last great Unlimited race

[@sanfranciscobay]

What did Voodoo do to pass Strega on the first few turns when Strega had the inside fastest position? Or what did Strega fail to do to allow Voodoo to pass on the first lap?

[@johnk8475]

why did they retire the aircraft?

[@johnnyblade4351]

A couple of the planes look like P 51's have they got the Merlin engines ?? they sound like it... Anyway good stuff

[@Voodoo1650]

Yes, Voodoo & Strega are powered by highly modified Merlin’s, and the other inline racer is a Yak-3 powered by an American Allison engine.

[@johnnyblade4351]

@@Voodoo1650 Thankyou for reply I can imagine the highly modified being exactly that.

[@Lozzie74]

What happened to Voodoo’s engine at the end?

[@Steven9675]

Are these guys able to talk to each other during the race?

[@Voodoo1650]

They can if needed, but they are mostly just focusing on their line around the pylons, and monitoring their instruments. They have the crew on comms letting them know their position around the other planes, which is usually limited to telling the pilot how many seconds in front, or behind the other racers they are.

[@Robin-zu4re]

I really wish I could go see one of those races in the future, it must be one of the greatest motor races event in the world. Thank you for that awesome footage! Is Voodoo still going to race with a different owner or we are not going to see it next time?

[@stacyobrien1729]

Robin unfortunately both strega and voodoo are being retired,which really sucks and the future of the races is in question

[@ultimatejay]

Looks like Voodoo was winning but had to avoid some traffic from the slower planes that slowed him down and allowed Strega to pass and win

[@Voodoo1650]

That traffic definitely made a difference!

[@racketman2u]

How on earth do they keep track of each other up there? surely not just visual? do they have some sort of panel with gps tracking of each other?

[@Voodoo1650]

racketman2u Each team has the crew on the ground that informs the pilots where the other planes are in relation. Also, both Strega and Voodoo have telemetry that the crew on the ground monitors during the race so the pilot can focus outside of the cockpit.

[@peterw5568]

Question. Why open the canopy right after touchdown.

[@peterw5568]

@soaringtractor Heat

[@HDR12302]

I hope voodoo comes back for 2018

[@joelramos9984]

Soon he takes good care of that Radiator?? Caused that's the last one I overhauled. I'm done working with those junk's

[@IsaacOLEG]

I like the show ! The lower you fly the fastest you can go , reason , if it is the case ? Or is it that because when you fly low you cannot be passed under, ? (once a plane pass under , you are obliged to cut your turn ?) Thnks

[@dannelson2171]

Being there, the displaced roar due to the speed,and sitting with friends who share the same needs. It all started with wake up testing in the morning and ended or should I say continued into the night with maintenance and back into the next morning wringing it out for another race. It was the only place to be for airborne petrol heads.

[@oscarzt1652]

why were strega and voodoo loads faster than the sea furys and "full noise" yak 3?

[@Voodoo1650]

There wasn't a whole lot of top end gold racers this year so some of the planes bumped up from the slower races, this definitely makes it challenging to navigate the course and have to pass other planes that are over 100 mph slower.

[@rampking1]

The Yak was practically run over out there, lapped twice ! To me a very dangerous situation just to serve a purpose of having a full 7 racers on the course for the sake of the show. Plus it was a rookie pilot being passed by aircraft going over 130 mph faster...more or less a speed bump on the course. The whole point of having Gold, Silver and Bronze racing classes thrown out the window, wrong time for someone out there doing a parade Lap while 2 P-51's are rocking the world....the closest thing you will ever see to WWII air combat .

[@DMAbCD]

I have yet to attend the Reno air race event. Is it possible to see the action from outside of the air port? Are the roads fully accessible or blocked off?What is parking like?Thanks

[@Voodoo1650]

Daren Maloy They have pretty much blocked off all roads in and around the race course unfortunately.

[@DMAbCD]

@@Voodoo1650 thank you for the information

[@rudolphferdinand3634]

Why or the purpose for the T-33 Shooting Star in the air races?

[@edjackson4093]

They used to use a stock P-51 as the pace plance....It was too slow for the highly modified racers....so the t-33 is the pace aircraft.

[@markrussell910]

Well spent 17 minutes in my lockdown. So many left to fill.

[@rudolphferdinand3634]

A pace car thing? Plus, there are other planes flying around, why?

[@Voodoo1650]

Rudolph Ferdinand Yes, they use the jet as a pace plane, they line up off the wing and the pace plane keeps them all lined up so no one jumps the start. Some will fall behind coming down the chute, but the faster front runners are kept from jumping the start.

[@rudolphferdinand3634]

While in the Army station at Sierra Army Depot 1977, family and I heading to Reno, airplanes all over the place. I'm not a pilot but I have a LOVE for them, the airplane. I saw my first Warbird at age 12, it was a big black airplane, name unknown, later I did find its name, the F4U Corsair. The love begins! Thank you!

[@andytothesky]

Do you know what kind of fuel they’re using?

[@Voodoo1650]

andytothesky VP Racing fuels is what they’ve been using for years, the top unlimited racers use the 160 octane blend..... some teams add a fuel additive on top of that to boosts the octane even higher.

[@andytothesky]

Voodoo1650 thank you!

[@TurboJenkins]

Quick question, with all the boost these V12’s run, what do you think the compression ratio is? Surely it can’t be much

[@jaarryifleshblood315]

ReedKoch 41 6:5:1

[@TurboJenkins]

JaArRyi FleshBlood Jeez. Any idea when they’re full throttle & boost?

[@jaarryifleshblood315]

ReedKoch 41 what do you mean?

[@kbuss10]

why are they so far from the crowd? because of galopping ghost?

[@Voodoo1650]

Not necessarily from the Ghost, but yes, the FAA has a minimum distance from the crowd that the planes can race.

[@carlosmagana2139]

Great battle!

[@stevenforman3044]

Thanks. 💖

[@sidefx996]

Un-friggin-believable.

[@StaceyV51]

Like to old saying goes "Theres no replacement for displacement"! Awesome hot rods!

[@StaceyV51]

@soaringtractor I get t! Was just commenting on all of them in general. This was the orginal high preformance..

[@UltraMonkeySapien]

Awesome!

[@stevehillman7648]

People watch this video. IMO, this is the closest and best "Gold" race in Reno air racing history. Tell me what you think 🤔

[@tonygary7611]

Can imagine that sound during war years coming at you with 50s firing

[@ad356]

a stock mustang and a race built mustang sound quite different

[@spikespa5208]

Still, how ever it sounded, could be the last thing you hear.

[@stefandamm6348]

Great video shame engine starts were edited though

[@멋진여행-s73]

영상 멋져요~~^^

[@ALLRCAIRCRAFT]

What's with Hinton stopping elsewhere to get out and stare at the aircraft?

[@Voodoo1650]

John Dueck He definitely didn’t intentionally stop down there, the engine was not happy on final and finally gave up the ghost once he was turning off the runway, you can see this in the video. The carburetor was the culprit and needed to be changed so he could fly the plane home after the races.

[@mothzy1077]

Remember please , WWII is not that far , learn it to your children please so all those sacrifies don't fall forgotten ...

[@rcnut5112]

This would have been neat to see

[@theaviationchannel9111]

How come every reno video always focuses on voodoo only. Sometimes strega but pretty much always voodoo.

[@Voodoo1650]

NZ Aviation Well, I was on the Voodoo crew so I focused more on her because of that.

[@dieseldave71]

Are the Mustangs all Merlin powered? Did anyone ever manage to shoehorn a Griffon into a Mustang?

[@Voodoo1650]

The first Mustang with a Griffon was the 'Red Baron' from the late 70's, and it once held the world speed record for propeller driven, piston engine aircraft at 599mph, the last one to fly was this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKHOmmWqgNGGnbM.

[@grafspeem9402]

i wish i could see whole race from cocpit view

[@johndeerfan5599]

Who misses Galloping Ghost p51mustang