Mustang accident

[Crumpp]

why should races be closed to public?

The races started out as private events. Private individuals own those aircraft and race them as a very costly and expensive hobby. Nobody makes money at the races and allowing spectators is catering to the publics own personal enjoyment. The proceeds from the ticket sales offsets the expense of handling parking, a place for them sit, and the higher insurance rates the airport has to pay for having spectators.

Why should they be closed to the public? Life entails risk....

If an owner puts the fruits of labor at risk by sharing the a joy of aviation and passion for flight with the public, he runs the risk of somebody who climbs on the wing to look in the cockpit, slipping, falling, and suing him.

Now he isn't passing on anything, even for himself. He is paying lawyers and spending time in court.

No thanks....

[Crumpp]

there is way too much money in the sport between NASCAR, FIA, WRC just to name a few. Anything with that much money involved (and prestige for the manufacturers) is simply not going to let the deaths of a few (relatively speaking, from the point of view of politicians and billionaires) people interfere with their money.

I agree. That is the difference. There is no money to be made in air racing. Otherwise, it would be as big as other more lucrative "professional" sports.

Air racing is a great way to turn millions into thousands very quickly.

The only thing air racing does is spark peoples interest in aviation. Opening the races to the public allowed them to experience the power and speed of the pinnacle of WWII era piston engine aircraft development. It is a way to share a passion.

It will will just go back to being a private event without public access.

[Crumpp]

200,000 x $10 General Admission = 2,000,000 USD

That is nothing when compared to the expenses of a single unlimited class racer.

Originally Posted by Crumpp

The only thing air racing does is spark peoples interest in aviation.

Right up until the inevitable crash and cloud of black smoke. Then it does the opposite.

[Jabo2009]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

Now he isn't passing on anything, even for himself. He is paying lawyers and spending time in court.

whats wrong with that? Honestly, I dont get your message.

What world are you living in? car races and airshows should become strictly private again? organised only as VIP club events and the public has to stay on the other side of the fence and watch from 1km distance?

come on...you must be joking

Originally Posted by Jabo2009

whats wrong with that? Honestly, I dont get your message.

What world are you living in? car races and airshows should become strictly private again? organised only as VIP club events and the public has to stay on the other side of the fence and watch from 1km distance?

come on...you must be joking

No, he's saying that Reno air racing will be strictly private. Air racing has nothing to do with air shows.

[Jabo2009]

Originally Posted by IamNotDavid

No, he's saying that Reno air racing will be strictly private. Air racing has nothing to do with air shows.

what about that? it started as an public event from day 1, which made it legendary ...

http://www.redbullairrace.com/cs/Sat...01238611393596

Originally Posted by Jabo2009

what about that? it started as an public event from day 1, which made it legendary ...

You misspelled "infamous".

[Crumpp]

Originally Posted by Jabo2009

what about that? it started as an public event from day 1, which made it legendary ...

http://www.redbullairrace.com/cs/Sat...01238611393596

No, the first Reno air races were not open to the public. After Bill Stead died, they became public events.

The first Reno air races, in 1964 and 1965, were organized by World War II flying ace Bill Stead. They took place at Sky Ranch airfield, a dirt strip barely 2,000 feet (610 m) long, which was located in present-day Spanish Springs. After Stead AFB (20 miles to the west, and named in honor of Bill's brother, Croston Stead) was closed in 1966, that field was turned over for public use and the races have been held there since then.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reno_Air_Races

When the Reno Air Races started in 1964, they were based on the premise that out in Nevada’s high desert, where there was no one around to suffer collateral damage, all bets were off. If you came to race, you knew the risk and accepted the consequences.

http://www.larrylowe.com/content/air-racing-101

There is no money to be made racing airplanes. Owners only have the opportunity to spend a lot of their hard earned wealth doing it. Owners do it because they love it. Opening it to the public was just a way to share their passion for aviation. It will go back to being a private venture for those who have worked hard to own these aircraft and not something shared with those not fortunate enough to have them.