Air racing returned to South Holland after 70 years

Air racing returned to the district for the first time in 70 years.

The Royal Aero Club (RAeC) Records, Racing and Rally Association’s annual competition was held in ideal weather at Fenland airfield, Holbeach St John over August 17 and 18, writes Alastair Goodrum.

This prestigious event, which travels around the UK for five weekends and ten races, drew a crowd of over 100 spectators who enjoyed an excellent view of the pilots, navigators, the brightly coloured racing aeroplanes and the racing, all from the clubhouse enclosure.

Two races were flown over the weekend, with 12 competitors lining up for the start of each 84-mile (135km) event. Races were flown at full throttle, at a height of 500 feet, over a triangular course starting and finishing at the airfield.

Marked by bright-red inflatable tents, turning points were manned by adjudicators who checked all competitors were accounted for and that no-one cut corners! Each pilot also carried a GPS receiver to monitor and record his track data.

The first leg took the aeroplanes to a turn near Holbeach St Marks, then across to the second near Wykeham, before turning back to the airfield. Competitors had to fly four laps of this course.

Since the competing aeroplane top speeds ranged from 110mph to 186mph, each had a ‘handicap’ rating.

As the RAeC ‘Clerk of the Course,’ Dan Pangbourne explained: “Individual take-off times were staggered over 18-minutes, to give everyone an even chance in this ‘pursuit’ race. The ideal aim is for all the aeroplanes to reach the finish line more or less together, with the first across the line being the winner.

“It’s then down to the skill of each pilot not just to fly fast, but to fly accurately horizontally and vertically, maintaining a steady height, making perfect turns and flying the shortest route around the course.

“Overtaking is an exciting element of the race, but it has a strict safety procedure, with all pilots in touch with each other on a common radio channel.”

After four laps it was clear that the handicapper had done his job well when, out of a clear blue sky from the direction of Spalding, came the roar of engines and a gaggle of 12 aeroplanes, jockeying for position in a shallow dive for the finish line.

Winner of the Saturday race for the RAeC Grosvenor Trophy, was Matthew Summers in a Vans RV-8, G-RVPL, carrying the race number ‘26’.

Matthew, an experienced international air racer and a member of the Fenland Aero Club said: “I have made lots of new friends in air racing; but don’t be fooled, they are also super-competitive. I love racing to win and it is a great feeling when you get past your main competitor.”