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Organizers propose reviving sport air race at Dare County Airport
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Summary
Organizers with the Sport Air Racing League told airport officials they plan to restart an air race at Dare County Airport, an event last held in February 2003, saying the race would serve pilot proficiency and bring visitors to the Outer Banks.
Organizers with the Sport Air Racing League said they plan to revive an air race hosted at Dare County Airport, an event the speakers said has not been run from Dare County since February 2003.
Tony Bruno, curator of the museum at Dare County Airport and a member of the airport board of directors, said Sport Air Racing League approached the airport about “getting this event going again.” He said the race was last held at the airport for the 100th anniversary of the “rifleman’s first flight” and that local organizers hope to make it an annual event.
Mike Bergen, race director for the event identified as the OBX 51/50 air race, said the league has raced for about 20 years and that the local race would be regional in scope. “Our original intent was to host a race in the [Bridal Atlantic] region that had a significance to the area. Dare County, North Carolina, the beginnings of aviation,” Bergen said, noting the Outer Banks’ role in early flight history.
Bergen said the race would be a time-trial format with aircraft departing Dare County Airport at one-minute intervals. He described two course options: a short course of about 50 nautical miles and a long course of about 150 nautical miles. The long course, as described by Bergen, would depart Dare County Airport, follow First Flight and Pine Island, turn at Currituck, reach a top-of-course point at Chesapeake Airport, then continue to Hughes Craft Airport and return to Manio.
Philip Isley, identified as stationed with the U.S. Coast Guard and living in Dare County, said he would race a vintage Cessna and welcomed the opportunity to participate locally rather than transporting an aircraft to distant races. Les Burrell, a racer from Cleveland, Georgia, described his purpose-built midget Mustang, saying it will reach about 210 mph wide open and that racers travel from states including Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia and Louisiana to compete.
Speakers said the event has two main goals: provide pilot proficiency and aircraft exercise, and increase visibility and activity at the airport for visitors. Bergen said the airport board and Dare County government have been supportive, and he specifically named Stacy Ambrose, identified in the remarks as the airport manager and director, as supportive. Organizers also plan a small car show to coincide with the race.
No formal votes or approvals were recorded in the remarks provided, and organizers described the proposal in general terms including course layout, participant outreach and local support. Details on specific dates, required permits, safety plans, insurance, noise mitigation, or coordination with air-traffic authorities were not specified in the remarks.
Organizers said they hope staging the race successfully will allow them to hold it again in future years.
