Evan Flys

          My dad and I went up to Reno again for another great year of air races.  On Friday we got up early and hung out at the pits which are always great because we get to visit with our friends and watch the races and airshow at the same time.

          We talked with our friend Vicky Benzing and we got to see Dan Martin, who was flying “Grim Reaper” because of a problem with his cool plane “Ridge Runner III”.  We also chatted with Steve Hinton Jr. and our friend Rod Jackson, who owns Voodoo Wax.  Mike Goulian, Greg Poe, and Kent Pietsch all did awesome jobs entertaining the crowds with aerobatics in the thin Reno air.  We even ran into Tim Decker and Dan Buchanan.  That's one of the things I love most about Reno - I get to see all my friends!

          On Saturday we planned to just talk with friends and shoot from the pits or the fire base but we ran in to one of our best friends, Mark Smith, who runs the delicious 3-0 Café at Half Moon Bay airport.  Mark owns property in the Valley of Speed, so my dad and I headed over there for the rest of the races.

          We followed his directions and ended up at Christy’s Crew.  There were at least 15 camper vans there and Mark’s friend Dave brought his souped – up Greyhound bus!  Christy’s Crew was great, and we made some great new friends. 

          And then the racing resumed.  I cannot believe how close the airplanes were!  Mark said that one time when someone’s engine blew up they got sprayed with oil!  Dave let us climb on the roof of his bus and we got some amazing photos and video.  I even got to meet one of my photographer heroes, Tyson Rininger.  What was also cool was that finally we were close enough to get good photos!

          But sadly, when the racing was over, we had to go.  We hated to leave Christy’s Crew, but it would take us 4 or 5 hours to get home and needed a good night sleep.

We’ll definitely be back for Reno 2011, and you be sure to be there too!  I’ll see you there!