Those who love Closed circuit air racing owe much to Bill Stead . I was at the Sky Ranch races , in both 64 and 65, and later a dozen others . Not the best facility for racing but it was the real beginning ( since Cleveland in the late 40's ) of what was, and is , the greatest motorsport there is . Most of of this is due to Bill Stead ( and friends) and his vision . I am very lucky to have attended these Sky Ranch events and ... met some of the folks competing over the years . As a teenager they were my hero's , still are , and worthy ones for sure .
I was 5, but i was there! 1000 houses there now. we sat on a pylon. OMG what a thrill having the mustangs go by at a few feet as in the video. Thumped my chest. remeber it like it was yesterday.
Richard Bush When I was three, in 1975, we camped out at one of the pylons at the Stead location. The two planes I remember most were the Coursairs and the White Lightenin' P-38. They were flying so very low, every single lap.
Golden Era and even though film and camera technology has advanced so far that now a person can carry in their hand a device that can record with such an incredible clarity, there is something magical for me in the colours / atmosphere when watching films from 60s and 70s.
There are still remnants of the Reno Sky Ranch right there in Spanish Springs. Most notably, the power-line marking balls are still attached as they were when the Reno Sky Ranch was still in use. I owned a home (for 12 years) just a mile to the east of where the Sky Ranch used to be. I miss it.
Amazing. I saw Bob Hoover perform in that same yellow P-51 that same yr at Eglin or Tyndal AFB. I just wish I could use a camera when I was 8, but I did appreciate the show. He preceded the T-birds in their F-100s.
I was at the 1964 Reno Air Race at age 15. Still have two of the first photos I ever took (in B&W) of the Smirnoff Special and another Bearcat with tail number N618F. Loved the roar of the big engines then, love it more now.
Found this treasure from days long past. Amazing for the time. Seems like yesterday and yet...not. 76 year old Chuck Lyford was killed in a sports car race yesterday. The only reason I found this.
The was a race a year or two before Reno began. It was at Quartz Hill Airport with takeoffs and landings I believe at Palmdale. WW2 Aircraft in the race and I believe a F4U crashed off the course.
1965 was the last year in Spanish Springs at Sky Ranch. The next year onwards were all at Stead until 2023. 2024 was just an air show. And now that ia gone too. 😢
It is in that south east quadrant of the intersection on Pyramid Lake Highway and La Posada. The power line balls are still present along La Posada as your are approaching Pyramid Lake Highway.
Bob Hoover is amazing!
Those who love Closed circuit air racing owe much to Bill Stead . I was at the Sky Ranch races , in both 64 and 65, and later a dozen others . Not the best facility for racing but it was the real beginning ( since Cleveland in the late 40's ) of what was, and is , the greatest motorsport there is .
Most of of this is due to Bill Stead ( and friends) and his vision . I am very lucky to have attended these Sky Ranch events and ... met some of the folks competing over the years . As a teenager they were my hero's , still are , and worthy ones for sure .
This country was a much better place to live in 1965! And I was only 20 years old so it was wonderful for me at that time.
I was 5, but i was there! 1000 houses there now. we sat on a pylon. OMG what a thrill having the mustangs go by at a few feet as in the video. Thumped my chest. remeber it like it was yesterday.
Richard Bush
When I was three, in 1975, we camped out at one of the pylons at the Stead location. The two planes I remember most were the Coursairs and the White Lightenin' P-38. They were flying so very low, every single lap.
I must say, as a Video Producer, this film was ahead of its time. Wonderful script, perfect narration, and great shooting!
This is what RARA is going to have to reconsider to bring fans to Reno . A good damned airshow and racing
Very well done !! Cudos 👈😎👍👍👍
This rivals cinematography and production values of today. Well produced.
Golden Era and even though film and camera technology has advanced so far that now a person can carry in their hand a device that can record with such an incredible clarity, there is something magical for me in the colours / atmosphere when watching films from 60s and 70s.
There are still remnants of the Reno Sky Ranch right there in Spanish Springs. Most notably, the power-line marking balls are still attached as they were when the Reno Sky Ranch was still in use.
I owned a home (for 12 years) just a mile to the east of where the Sky Ranch used to be.
I miss it.
Amazing. I saw Bob Hoover perform in that same yellow P-51 that same yr at Eglin or Tyndal AFB. I just wish I could use a camera when I was 8, but I did appreciate the show. He preceded the T-birds in their F-100s.
I was at the 1964 Reno Air Race at age 15. Still have two of the first photos I ever took (in B&W) of the Smirnoff Special and another Bearcat with tail number N618F. Loved the roar of the big engines then, love it more now.
What a great old video. I'm so glad I came across it!
15:14 hoove is the man! always will be.
An outstanding production.
Bob Hoover- Fantastic pilot
Yes he was. I was 8 yrs old then, and I saw him perform in Fla (Eglin or Tyndal AFB) in his yellow P-51, and several times since.
Found this treasure from days long past. Amazing for the time. Seems like yesterday and yet...not. 76 year old Chuck Lyford was killed in a sports car race yesterday. The only reason I found this.
The was a race a year or two before Reno began. It was at Quartz Hill Airport with takeoffs and landings I believe at Palmdale.
WW2 Aircraft in the race and I believe a F4U crashed off the course.
1965 was the last year in Spanish Springs at Sky Ranch. The next year onwards were all at Stead until 2023. 2024 was just an air show. And now that ia gone too. 😢
10 000 dollars engine repairs... today is about 250 000...
素晴らしいボブのマスタング
My favorite airplane the Meyers OTW at 20;47
Where was Sky Ranch??
Off Pyramid hwy in Sparks, now it's a school called Sky Ranch mascot is 'Thunderbolts'🛩
From my understanding it's north of the intersection of e sky ranch blvd and pyramid highway. Not quite close to the middle school
It is in that south east quadrant of the intersection on Pyramid Lake Highway and La Posada. The power line balls are still present along La Posada as your are approaching Pyramid Lake Highway.
Engine repairs could cost $1,000 to $10,000🤣
F-51🤣
They were P 51s then redesigned F 51s after the war.