The theme for the Reno Air Races this year was “Salute to Champions.”
The two Grand Marshals for Reno 2007 epitomize the word champion. This year Ray Cote and Darryl Greenamyer were honored for their air racing achievements. Together they represent 24 National Air Racing Gold Championships.
Cote retired after 34 years in International Formula One Air Racing with 13 national championships to his credit – more than any other race pilot who has raced at Reno. (Jon Sharp tied that record in 2007).
Cote has been involved in aviation since his childhood and air racing was in his blood. He says it was the “excitement of the win” and knowing that he “had built something that was better than the next guy,” that spurred him on to victory.
Darryl Greenamyer holds seven national championship titles in the Unlimited Class, with another four in the Sport Class. His name is synonymous with the word champion at Reno.
In addition to his racing experience, Greenamyer has more than 17,000 flight hours in more than 100 different types of aircraft. He still holds the low altitude speed record of 988.26 mph set in 1977 with a Lockheed F-104 that he built from spare parts.