Formula_V_Air_Racing

Formula V Air Racing

Formula V Air Racing

American air racing class

Formula V Air Racing is an American motorsport that involves small aircraft using engines up to 100 cubic inches (1.6 litres) in displacement.

A Formula V Racer, the Monnett Sonerai I.

History

The proposal for Formula V has its roots in the 1964 Reno Air Races.[1] In 1969, Air racer, Steve Wittman presented at the Rockford air convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association specifications for a racing event based around aircraft powered with a Volkswagen air-cooled engine.[2]

Racers compete around a 2-mile oval course that subject the racers to up to 2.2g.

Several aircraft were capable of meeting the specifications for Formula V at its creation. Specific designs were introduced shortly after that maximized speed for the configuration.

Aircraft include:

Champions

Brian Dempsey's Sonerai I "Miss Annapolis"

Winners of the Formula V National Championship are determined by points from the years events. Since 1995 the winner also holds The Wittman Trophy for a year.[4]

  • Steve Wittman 1977-81
  • Charles Terry 1985
  • Rick Leonard 1987-88
  • Brian Dempsey 1989-95 Sonerai "Miss Annapolis"
  • Dave Patterson 1996-97

References

  1. [1]
    Don Berliner (January 1973). "What's up with Formula V". Sport Aviation.
  2. [2]
    Bill Blake (October 1969). "Specifications For The 100 Cubic Inch Racers". Sport Aviation.
  3. [3]
    Don Berliner (December 1970). "WITTMAN FORMULA V FLIES!". Sport Aviation.
  4. [4]
    "Formula V National Champions & Wittman Trophy". Formulav.com. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
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