22nd & 24th September 2006
Although Alderney’s weather was perfect for racing, many parts of the UK were not so lucky. This meant that a few of the race pilots spent most of Friday waiting for an improvement in the mainland weather. Fortunately this happened early enough for most of them to reach Alderney that day, although one or two had to delay their arrival until Saturday morning.
Over the years, Alderney has been put into the prestigious position of staging the ‘Grande Finale’ to the season, where both the British Air Racing Champion and the European Champion are decided. In addition, because the results of the Alderney races also form part of other competitions, many of these awards are also decided here and the winning pilots presented with their trophies.
Some fifty aircraft arrived, nineteen of them being entered to take part in the actual racing. At one end of the speed range was a 1960s Auster flown by Rob Callaway-Lewis which at best could make about 110 mph, whilst at the other end of the scale, was a 230 mph Beech Baron piloted by Peter Earp. The job of the handicappers is never an easy one.
Nobody is allowed to race unless they have actually flown the course, so Saturday morning is given over to the serious business of making sure that both pilot and navigator were totally familiar with the circuit. At about this time, officials of the Royal Aero Club, together with members of the Alderney Flying Club set off to man the various turning points. Flying inside one of these markers means penalty points or even disqualification. To ensure ‘fair play’, the land based markers are manned by observers during the race itself, whilst the ones situated offshore are checked by means of the GPS units that every race aircraft carries
The afternoon saw the first actual race of the weekend, which is in reality, two races held concurrently. Single engine aircraft race for the 'Eagle Airways' Cup, whilst the multi-engine aircraft were competing for the ‘Flightline’ Cup. The Auster was the first away, with all of the others joining the race at intervals pre-determined by the handicappers, with the fastest aircraft having to wait a full 30 minutes before they could join in.
Although there have been closer finishes, it was still an exciting conclusion. The eventual winner of the ‘Eagle Airways’ Cup was Gabriel Gomila in his SAN DR1050 Ambassadeur flying at an average speed of 119 mph. Gabriel is an Air Traffic Controller from Majorca and every year makes the 10 hour journey to race at Alderney. Gabriel loves to race, especially at Alderney because of the atmosphere of Island and the friendliness of the people. Gabriel is obviously getting the measure of the Island in race terms because he won the same cup last year. No mean achievement! Winner of the ‘Flightline’ Cup, for multi-engine aircraft was Peter Earp in the very fast Beech B58 Baron at an average speed of 228 mph.
With Richard Robinson still on hand with his mobile canteen, nobody was in any hurry to leave the airfield. However most realised that a little ‘rest and recuperation’ was needed if they were going to cope with an evening at the Old Barn and still be ‘on the ball’ for the next days racing. It really was a most enjoyable day.
A band of heavy overnight rain cleared through, giving us fantastic weather on Sunday for the final race of the season, the ‘Aurigny Air Services’ Trophy.
This race is the ‘Big One’. The race that decides who is this year’s British Air Race Champion. The team of handicappers had obviously worked hard on their sums, because less than ten seconds separated the first five aircraft to cross the finish line.
The winner of the ‘Aurigny Air Services’ Trophy was Nigel Reddish flying the Van’s RV7 that he built himself. His average race speed being 191 mph. Peter Earp in the Beech Baron took second place with John Kelsall flying another Van’s RV7 managing to hold on to third place. John Kelsall, last year’s winner, was actually first to cross the finish line, but having cut one of the turning points he received a 15 second penalty. It was this penalty that pushed him down to third place.
It was soon time for the presentation of prizes. Air racing is a serious business undertaken by expert flyers. With the racing over and the pressure off, the presentation of prizes is usually a fairly light-hearted affair with a smattering of friendly banter. This was no exception.
First to receive his award was the winner of the ‘Eagle Airways’ Cup, Gabriel Gomila. As event co-ordinator, I was privileged to present the awards on behalf of the late Frank Hackett-Jones. The ‘Flightline’ Cup was the next to be presented, this going to Peter Earp.
As the main sponsor of the ‘Island Air Races’ we always look forward to meeting Malcolm Hart, the Managing Director of Aurigny Air Services. Unfortunately, a prior commitment prevented him from attending this year, so he kindly asked Keith Chatten, Aurigny’s Operations Manager to stand in for him. Keith was only too keen to undertake the task and on Malcolm’s behalf presented the ‘Aurigny Air Services’ Trophy to Nigel Reddish for being first across the line in his home-built Van’s RV7 at an average speed of 191 mph.
Jeff Roff of Reynards Jewellers was then invited to join the presentation party. Jeff has always been a keen supporter of private aviation in general and the ‘Island Air Races’ in particular. This year, Jeff provided some superb prizes that included some Waterford glass, a leather holdall and a case of wine. The ‘Reynards Special Awards’ are presented to the three pilots who gained the highest aggregate points in both races. First was Peter Earp, with Nigel Reddish and John Kelsall in second and third places.
Keith Chatten then returned to present eight other trophies, the winners of which were all decided over the weekend. The main awards being the ‘Jubilee Trophy’ that went to the 2006 British Air Race Champion, Tony Beynon and the ‘European Trophy’, presented to this year’s European Champion, Peter Earp.
As always, our thanks must go to all who helped make the event such a success. This includes our own members and friends who did all the pushing, shoving, lifting and moving, the marshallers from Guernsey and Richard Robinson for the hangar catering facility. To all of those who sponsored the cups and trophies, Moira and her team from AELAvgas for a great refuelling job and of course, Alderney Airport ATC and Fire Service. Special thanks must go to both Ray Plant, Manager ATC Guernsey, for organising all of the necessary paperwork and Colin Le Ray, Airport Director. Last but certainly not least to the States of Alderney without whose support the event could not take place.
To allow these races to happen, it is necessary to close the airport for certain periods over the weekend. We are therefore indebted to both Aurigny Air Services and Blue Islands, who make adjustments to their schedules and agree to these closures. Without this co-operation we wouldn’t have an airfield from which to operate.
To those of you who came out to watch the racing from such vantage points at the Butes and Fort Albert and especially those who gathered at the Giffoine, for the finish, we hope that you enjoyed the racing.
The ’Island Air Races’ are organised by the Royal Aero Club Records, Racing nd Rally Association and run jointly by both them and the Alderney Flying Club. To see the full results and information on air racing, log on to www.airraceuk.org They should be on site very soon.
Ralph Burridge
