fate of Amsoil Rutan Racer?

One source said it was destroyed in a crash, the other said it was
hanging from the ceiling in the Reno Hilton. Anyone know what ever
really happened to this (quickie-like) racer?

I watched it dive into the ground in about a 70 degree bank at Reno, just
after clearing the scatter pylon at the start of a race. It cartwheeled,
throwing dirt and parts in all directions. I watched the engine come up out
of the cloud to land some distance away. As the dust cleared, a couple of
shoulder harnesses flew up out of an intact "cockpit", and the Pilot stood
up and walked out of the wreckage. I can't remember his name now,(Dan
Mortenson?) but when offered a ride in the ambulance, he reportedly said "No
thanks, I'll walk". I believe he eventually got some xrays, and was injured
injured in the accident.(Broken ankle?)
The survivability of the fiberglass airplanes went way up in my opinion.

Al


wrote in message
oups.com...
One source said it was destroyed in a crash, the other said it was
hanging from the ceiling in the Reno Hilton. Anyone know what ever
really happened to this (quickie-like) racer?

Wow....a far cry from lounging in a casino! I think you're right about
the pilots name too.

On 3 Apr 2006 20:19:27 -0700, "
wrote:

Wow....a far cry from lounging in a casino! I think you're right about
the pilots name too.

Dan was an FAA controller at Bakersfield's Meadows airport.

The Amsoil Rutan Racer is DEFINITELY hanging over the Pylon Bar at the
Reno Hilton Hotel. The aircraft was likely rebuilt as a non-flying
static display for the purpose by Mortenson, whom I believe lives in
the Reno area. He did at one time, anyway. The aircraft looks like
brand new despite the unfortunate accident. Mortenson reportedly got
caught up in prop wash from another aircraft. I was there at Stead in
1981 when he had the control problems during a race. He cut Home Pylon
a number of times due to some glitch with the aircraft. Dale Tucker,
the flagman at the Air Races, indicates that the Pylon crew scattered
everytime he came their way thinking he was about to crash into them!

Based on the pics, I'd say it is just a little bigger than a normal Q1.
Is that true?

like the pond racer, it seems like it will be the one to beat, but
later has bad luck and is out of the picture.