Reno Air Races 2005.... help please!

[Bigcol]

Hi all,

I'm sorry I didn't keep this in the 'Night Stop' section, but nobody reads much in there.

I'm off to the Reno Air Races this Sept for 3 nights and wondered if anyone would kindly suggest:

a. where to stay
b. What to do in the evening
c. Car hire

As much detail as possible please.

Yours excitedly

Colin

[typhoonpilot]

Colin:

It's been quite a few years since I last went to Reno so this info may be a little dated. If you don't already have a room booked it may be quite difficult to do so now. Staying downtown Reno is usually the best thing to do that way you have something to do at night.

Car hire would usually be best at the airport with any of the major agencies: Hertz, Budget, Alamo, National, Avis, etc Ask for an airline discount, they are usually pretty good about that.

TP

[Bigcol]

Thanks TP,

I took your advice re staying downtown as I'm travelling solo. I've booked accom through Hotels.com. Excellent site if you ever need hotac anywhere.

Car hire: do I really need a car? I'm in two minds as it's only to get me from the Hotel to the Air Races.

Anyhow, thank you once again mate

Regards


Colin

[Check 6]

Bigcol, if you are staying downtown it is about a 20 minute drive out to Stead Airport.

Check the air races web site and see if there is bus transportation from downtown, or check with your hotel via e-mail.

If there is no organized transportation out there I suspect a taxi would cost more than a hire car, especially if you reserve a car early through www.priceline.com or similar service.

Bring ear plugs, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and enjoy!


Check 6

:ok:

[Bigcol]

Thanks Check 6,

Priceline.com is great but it's for USA residents only though :(

Such discrimination TSK TSK! I'll check out the usual car hire places as my mate who's been says I need a car.

I appreciate your help though

Regards

Colin

[typhoonpilot]

Colin:

I've got to believe there is a shuttle to and from town. Traffic is pretty bad going to and returning from the races. Bus service would make a lot of sense.

I'm jealous, wish I was going. It the sound of the Rolls Royce Merlins and big radial engines going flat out at over 400 mph that is awesome.


TP

[westhawk]

Colin,

You did very well to get a room reservation during the air races. As I often don't know for sure that I will be able to attend until the last moment, I have found pretty good success at securing a room by calling reservations from the casino upon arrival in town! If you are staying downtown, a car may be more hindrance than help. All the major hotel/casinos contract for motor coach service between hotel and the races for a small fee. Much better than trying to find parking either downtown or at Stead. During the evenings you will find that staying in the downtown area provides nearly all the activities you can imagine. It's quite a street fair and party. You picked a good year to go for the first time as the racing participation is expected to be the biggest ever and you get both the Snowbirds and Thunderbirds jet demonstration teams this year. Bring appropriate clothing for conditions ranging from very hot and windy to cold and rainy. Last year, it was both! Make sure to buy a pit pass at least one of the days so you can inspect the racers more closely. If you have the spare cash, you can watch a race from one of the pylons on the course. Huge crowds are expected this year, so I suggest arriving at the races by 0900 to avoid the worst of the crush.

I sure hope I can break away from duties that weekend. As usual, I won't know 'til the last minute, but I'm less than 500 miles from Reno. In case you havn't checked it out, here is the official air races web address. Lots of good info there, including admission package options.

http://www.airrace.org/indexJS.php

Hope to see you there.

Westhawk

[Bigcol]

Hi chaps,

There were lots of rooms avail via this site. If you're going, try it.

I haven't booked a car yet, so will take your advice and email the Hotel.

I managed to get a Press Pass (can't tell you how) so I hope to be in the thick of the action taking photos and having FUN!

Westhawk; send me a PM & I'll send you my hotac and contact details. If you can make it, we'll go for a few beers and chat up the girls in the Pitts. How could they resist ;)

Thanks again for replying

Colin

[Ignition Override]

Have fun in Reno.

My son and I were at the Tunica, MS airport several weeks ago for some qualifying runs, in preparation for the race.

Tunica had the ONLY recent (WW2 aircraft) unlimited race outside of Reno.

I was at the Reno race in '73 and Bob Hoover's aerobatic displays (in a Twin Commander and F-86) were about the best in the world :ooh: . Is Bob still flying demos?

[Bigcol]

Thanks IO,

If you fancy a beer over the weekend, please PM me and i'll send you my contact details.

Regards

BC

[papazulu]

Hi Bigcol!

I was in Reno in 1998 and 1999 (the second time as guest of Dago Red chaps, watching Super SKIP HOLM storming at 498 mph in quals...) and I covered the event for an Italian magazine. I was on a budget travel, nothing planed so I stayed at the Mirzpa (?) hotel. They do not take reservations and usualy have rooms till the last minute. Budget, as I said unless you want *****hotels...Bus pick up on the other side of the road. Noting great to do in Reno, indeed....Sorry!

Ciao

PZ:ok:

[Just Boxes]

Bob Hoover retired a few years ago. His airplane is on display at the National Air & Space Museum's, Stephen Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport - Washingto D.C.

Part of the training for my company involves watching a 15 minute video of Bob Hoover performing at an airshow - very cool. (we fly the same airplane he used in his display)

[Bigcol]

Thanks for all your ideas chaps. Just got back from Reno and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially as i managed to sit under one of the marker poles as the Sea Fury's roared overhead at 30feet. How much would I have loved to have been flying that beast? :{


However, the place is full of Hobo's..... never take the family to have fun there.

Cheers again

Colin