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The North American P-51 Mustang
MustangsMustangs
P-51 Mustang at Reno 2015
Sport Class
story and photos by Curtis Fowles

The Sport Class has been growing and growing. Speeds are increasing and racers are becoming more and more innovative. The aircraft are kit-built and have heavily modified powerplants from 4 to 12 cylinders. The top aircraft are stripped of every non-race essential part to save weight and the engines are tuned and tweaked to squeeze every drop of power it will give up.

Speeds range from low 200's to over 400 mph! Last year's Champion, Jeff LaVelle did not attend leaving the top spot up for grabs. John Parker who has several 2nd place finishes is the favorite. The Sport Gold surpass the Unlimited Bronze speeds - but with far less coolness ;)

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The Gold Final on Sunday was won by John Parker in the Thunder Mustang #352 "Blue Thunder II" at 377 mph. #44 Lynn Farnsworth was 2nd at 375 mph after #8 David Sterling was a mayday - he landed safely on 14.

Sport Class Gold Final:

  1 - #352 Blue Thunder II, John Parker - 377
  2 -  #44 Miss Karen II, Lynn Farnsworth - 375
  3 -  #30 One Moment, Andrew Findlay - 356
  4 -  #47 Lucky Mojo, Gary Mead - 348
  5 -  #42 Relentless, Kevin Eldredge - 310
  6 -   #2 Modo Mio, Vince Walker - 305
  7 -  #15 Lucky Girl, Vicky Benzing - 299
  8 -  #52 Poncho, Colleen Keller - 293
  9 -   #8 David Sterling - DNF
Congrats to John Parker and Crew. They have earned and deserve this win with years of work under their belts. They have brought excitement to the Sport class through the Thunder Mustang.

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Sport Class Silver Final:

  1 -  #92 Desert Lightning, David Robison - 287 mph
  2 -  #66 Jus Pass'n Thru, Ernie Sutter - 287
  3 -  #13 Cruse Missle, Jessy Panzer - 279
  4 -  #47 Griffin Rocket, Bill Beaton - 272
  5 -  #55 Unleashed, Tom McNerney - 269
  6 -  #91 Breaking Wind, John Ryan Moran - 265
  7 - #111 Determinator, Klaus Savier - 255
  8 -  #49 Rocket Six, Shane Margraves - 244
  9 -  #76 Jason Rovey - 235

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