Mike Houghton, CEO/president of the Reno Air Racing Association, announces on Tuesday that the Reno National Championship Air Races will happen in September 2012 during a news conference in Reno. / Andy Barron/RGJ
Written by
Martha Bellisle
Update at 1:05 p.m.: Instead of moving the grandstands, the Reno Air Racing Association will change the course for some races to take the aircraft farther away from the crowds during the National Championship Air Races, the director announced today.
Mike Houghton said they’ll also make the pilots go through special G-force training to ensure they can handle the physical stresses experienced during the event and possibly add more barriers in front of the spectators.
They’ve already decided to move a fuel tank away from the runway and have added a safety director to the board, he said.
“We still remain very saddened and focused on the tragedy that took place in September,” he said during a press conference at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. “That day will be forever emblazoned in our minds and we will never forget the victims and the heroes of Sept. 16.”
The pilot and 10 spectators died when a P-51 Mustang crashed into the VIP box seating in front of the grandstands. At least 70 people were seriously injured. Many wondered if the air races would ever return.
But in January, Houghton announced that the association will hold an event this year from Sept. 12 to 16.
As the association continues to implement improvements in the interest of safety, Houghton announced that they have secured a mandatory $100 million insurance policy, but said “it comes with a cost.”
The association faces a $1.7 million premium increase that has made this year’s finances tight, he said.
“We don't usually ask for help," Houghton said, but added that he needs the community to "step up to the plate - buy tickets.” The event brings about $80 million to the Northern Nevada economy, he said, therefore the association will look to the community, to sponsors and to the casinos for support.
U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the races have been an important part of the Northern Nevada community for nearly 50 years and is confident it will continue.
“I have attended the races over the years and my former colleague, the late Senator Ted Stevens, attended the Reno show many times and always told me it was the best of its kind,” he said in a statement. “The recommendations put forth today by the blue ribbon panel and those by the National Transportation Safety Board in April will ensure the tens of thousands of spectators can safety watch and enjoy these races.”
_______________
Update at 11 a.m.: Reno Air Racing Association director Mike Houghton said the organization has secured a $100 million insurance policy to cover this year's National Championship Air Races.
Houghton said the organization faces a $1.7 million insurance increase, so they'll go to the community to ask for help. Houghton said finances continue to be a challenge. The insurance, "Isn't going to come without a cost," he said.
The Reno Air Racing Association also announced plans to change some race courses and increase G-force training for pilots for this year’s National Championship Air Race.
Houghton said they also face some tough financial challenges and said they will go to the community to ask for help. He urged people to buy tickets and said they plan to hold fundraisers to raise the needed funds.
______________
Tuesday morning update: The Reno Air Racing Association will announce this morning changes to the National Championship Air Races designed to enhance safety for pilots and spectators alike.
The association appointed a special Blue Ribbon Panel of experts to review the event in January, and Executive Director Mike Houghton will reveal its findings at a press conference at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
On Sept. 16, an experienced pilot lost control of his P-51 Mustang during an Unlimited Class race and crashed into the VIP box seating area. Pilot Jimmy Leeward and 10 people on the ground died. At lease 70 people suffered serious injuries.
The association plans to hold this year’s event from Sept. 12-16, but must first secure a $100 million insurance policy. Houghton may also make an announcement about the status of efforts to find an insurance carrier this morning.
Source: http://www.rgj.com
Mike Houghton said they’ll also make the pilots go through special G-force training to ensure they can handle the physical stresses experienced during the event and possibly add more barriers in front of the spectators.
They’ve already decided to move a fuel tank away from the runway and have added a safety director to the board, he said.
“We still remain very saddened and focused on the tragedy that took place in September,” he said during a press conference at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. “That day will be forever emblazoned in our minds and we will never forget the victims and the heroes of Sept. 16.”
The pilot and 10 spectators died when a P-51 Mustang crashed into the VIP box seating in front of the grandstands. At least 70 people were seriously injured. Many wondered if the air races would ever return.
But in January, Houghton announced that the association will hold an event this year from Sept. 12 to 16.
As the association continues to implement improvements in the interest of safety, Houghton announced that they have secured a mandatory $100 million insurance policy, but said “it comes with a cost.”
The association faces a $1.7 million premium increase that has made this year’s finances tight, he said.
“We don't usually ask for help," Houghton said, but added that he needs the community to "step up to the plate - buy tickets.” The event brings about $80 million to the Northern Nevada economy, he said, therefore the association will look to the community, to sponsors and to the casinos for support.
U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the races have been an important part of the Northern Nevada community for nearly 50 years and is confident it will continue.
“I have attended the races over the years and my former colleague, the late Senator Ted Stevens, attended the Reno show many times and always told me it was the best of its kind,” he said in a statement. “The recommendations put forth today by the blue ribbon panel and those by the National Transportation Safety Board in April will ensure the tens of thousands of spectators can safety watch and enjoy these races.”
_______________
Update at 11 a.m.: Reno Air Racing Association director Mike Houghton said the organization has secured a $100 million insurance policy to cover this year's National Championship Air Races.
Houghton said the organization faces a $1.7 million insurance increase, so they'll go to the community to ask for help. Houghton said finances continue to be a challenge. The insurance, "Isn't going to come without a cost," he said.
The Reno Air Racing Association also announced plans to change some race courses and increase G-force training for pilots for this year’s National Championship Air Race.
Houghton said they also face some tough financial challenges and said they will go to the community to ask for help. He urged people to buy tickets and said they plan to hold fundraisers to raise the needed funds.
______________
Tuesday morning update: The Reno Air Racing Association will announce this morning changes to the National Championship Air Races designed to enhance safety for pilots and spectators alike.
The association appointed a special Blue Ribbon Panel of experts to review the event in January, and Executive Director Mike Houghton will reveal its findings at a press conference at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
On Sept. 16, an experienced pilot lost control of his P-51 Mustang during an Unlimited Class race and crashed into the VIP box seating area. Pilot Jimmy Leeward and 10 people on the ground died. At lease 70 people suffered serious injuries.
The association plans to hold this year’s event from Sept. 12-16, but must first secure a $100 million insurance policy. Houghton may also make an announcement about the status of efforts to find an insurance carrier this morning.
Source: http://www.rgj.com
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