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6/28/2010 - Air Race Classic 2010 Video

Editor's note of correction: The 2011 Air Race Classic will begin in Iowa City IA and the exciting Terminus will be in Mobile Alabama.

TUSCALOOSA AL- Last week Tuscaloosa was the second stop of eight including the destination of Frederick MD on the 2,400 mile, 34^th Annual Air Race Classic. The all women air racers honored their rich history by taking to the skies at Fort Myers FL in celebration of the 100^th year of women pilots and 81 years of women air racing.

Fifty-one planes came to Tuscaloosa, all but a few stopped for a grand total of 2,000 gallons of fuel. Each plane carried a crew of two but a few had three pilots. One of the first planes to land would become the winner of the race, the Classic 11 team - C182 RG, Terry Carbonell of Alva FL, Ellen Herr of Fort Myers FL and Laura Ying Gao of Spring Hill FL, all three are Ninety Nine members.

Terry ran her fourth air race this year; Ellen enjoyed her first along with Ying, a student pilot. A native of China, Ying explained it would take as long as fifteen more years before the China skies are open to GA. She says she is enjoying the wonderful freedom to fly and hopes aviation in the states will continue to be supported.

Alabama's own mother-daughter team, Classic 12 a Skylane- the Flying Carastros, Marie and Susan flew their eighth race together this year. The All Women's Transcontinental Air Race, better known as the Powder Puff Derby, held its final and commemorative race in 1977 and after that the Air Race Classic stepped in as the premier event. Although Marie flew in the 1960 Powder Puff Derby, she likes to race for the one-on-one time with her daughter. Susan now lives in W Palm Beach FL but often flies her C310 to Montgomery to visit her mom.

About 11:00, the sky began to rain airplanes as the air racers descended on Tuscaloosa. Airport Manager, Wayne Cameron and the two FBO's were hopping to fuel and turn the onslaught of traffic. Each aircraft was required to fly by the tower for handicap timing and then sequenced to land. Needless to say, the military Texans called off their practice that day. By about 3:00 most all of the air racers had departed to their next stop though a few remained over night.

A wide variety of aircraft entered this year's race, from Cessna to Cirrus, Beechcraft, Piper, Commander and Grumman. According to Classic 44 BE-55, Jessica Stearns of Bonita Springs FL, this is the first time in 40 years a twin entered the race.

Even more diverse than the aircraft, each of these accomplished women pilots had a wonderful story. Team Classic 16 C182, Judy Bolkema-Tokar of Port Orange FL and Ruby Sheldon of Phoenix AZ was certainly among them. Ruby is the most senior of the pilots at 92 with more than 15,000 hours. She holds the first FAA helicopter instrument instructor certificate ever issued and flew the Huey in the Arctic among other fascinating adventures in a DC3 and Grumman OV-18 Mohawk. Last year she was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame.

The Air Race Classic wrapped up Sunday night with the awards banquet where the top ten winners were announced. Next year the 2011, Air Race Classic will begin in Mobile Alabama. -B Meyer, See more at the GALLERY. FMI: Air Race Classic , Mother Daughter ARC Team

TOP TEN - Air Race Classic 2010

1	11	Terry Carbonell, Ellen Herr & Laura Ying Gao	Cessna Skylane RG R182
2	24	Joyce Wilson & Laura Berry	Cessna Skylane 182S
3	55	Linda Street-Ely & Elizabeth Kummer	Grumman Cheetah AA-5A
4	4	Lauren Steele & Allison Springer (Purdue U)	Piper Warrior III PA28-161
5	19	Jo Alcorn & Michelle Bostick	Cessna Skyhawk 172R
6	49	Barbara Harris-Para & Laurie Zaleski	Beechcraft Bonanza A36
7	17	Dottie Anderson & Jean Sloan	Piper Archer PA 28-181
8	48	Kay Brown & Jessica Campbell (Indiana State U)	Diamond DA-40
9	30	Erin Jackson & Christine Zoerlein (Southern Illinois U)	Cessna Skyhawk 172R
10	58	Kristen McTee & Kim Turrell (Embry-Riddle U-Prescott)	Cessna Skyhawk 172S

  

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