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Here is a quick note from Eric Whyte the race organizer. Sounds like its going to be a great time. Hello everyone, I wanted to take a moment and bring you all up to date on plans for the 2010 AirVenure Cup Race. We have an excellent field this year, approximately 60 airplanes registered. We have expanded the classes to include Light Sport Aircraft for the first time. We only have one entry, a Kitfox but it is a start. We also have 3 airplanes running in the turbine class for the first time ever. In the past we have never had more than 1 in any given year. We are also expanding the Formula classes to include a Gold Division for 390 cubic inch engines and high compression 360s. The city of Mitchell and the Wright Brothers FBO have been extremely supportive and helpful in planning this year's event and we have a bunch of fun things planned this year that I am really looking forward to. On Friday night we will be doing the media event once again, the Mitchell Convention and Visitors Bureau is helping to set up the media side of things. In 2008 when we were out in Mitchell, we did a Friday night social gathering at Blarney's Pub which was a lot of fun and we are planning on doing it again. We have the outdoor patio reserved for the group again so we should have a great time. Blarney's as you might remember is a sports themed place so anyone wanting to donated an autographed picture of you with your airplane for their wall would be appreciated. Bring it with you to South Dakota. On Saturday we are doing the airport open-house for the public. The race pit area is going to be opened up and the airplanes on display. This was very popular in 2008 and will be expanded this year. We have invited the State of South Dakota to bring in a National Guard Blackhawk for static display. EAA chapter 289 is going to be hosting a fly-in pancake breakfast on Saturday Morning. This will be followed buy the burger and brat lunch also at the airport. In addition Chapter 289 is going to be hosting a Young Eagles Rally on Saturday. In 2008 we had a big crowd show up so they are hoping to fly as many kids as possible. If you would like to participate you are welcome to do so. Saturday night we have the traditional pre-race dinner and briefing. The pre-race dinner will be help this year at The Brig Steakhouse which is on the lake close to the airport. After dinner we will be heading to the Pepsi Center for the Performing Arts for a special screening of the new Documentary Film "Breaking Through the Clouds" about the 1929 Women's Transcontinental Air Race. The film will be introduced by the producer that made it, Heather Taylor. http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com/ On Sunday morning we will be enjoying excellent weather (power of positive thinking) as we do a secondary briefing prior to the race launch. The race course is slightly shorter this year, 377 nautical miles. The finish line has been moved to the Snow Crest Ranch Airport, located in Montello, WI - http://www.airport-data.com/airport/0WI4/maps.html There is no fuel available there so plan accordingly. After crossing the finish line we will be recovering at Fond du Lac as usual. The airport Identifier is 0WI4, and the lat/longs are on the website so you can do your pre-flight planning. If you have raced in the past two years I have assigned you the same race number. If you are new or haven't raced in a while and haven't heard from me about race numbers, please contact me ASAP as Sarah and I are working like mad to get the race program finished up and ready to publish. We have two hotels lined up for the race this year. They are actually attached to each other so it is your choice which one you stay in. The Hampton Inn - (605) 995-1575 Or the Comfort Suites - (605) 990-2400. Be sure to tell them you are with the AirVenture Cup race as we have a group rate and a block of rooms reserved. Dick Keyt reports that the insurance processing is going fairly well, I thank all of you for helping him out and getting your insurance in early this year. That has taken a strain off EAA staff and improved things for everyone. Let me know if you have any questions. Eric Whyte Chairman, 2010 EAA AirVenture Cup Race
