Pilot James Consalvi, flying the highly modified P-51 “Strega,” took first place in the Unlimited Gold Championship at the 54th annual National Championship Reno Air Races on Sept. 17, 2017.
Consalvi, captured here after the race by William E. Dubois, beat Steven Hinton Jr. in Voodoo in the final lap. Hinton has won first place in the Unlimited Gold race for seven years.
According to air race officials, Strega flew the eight laps of the pylon course in 7:49.774 (481.34 mph), less than half a second ahead of Voodoo at 7:50.356 (480.744).
This was Voodoo’s last race at Reno, according to its owners. The P-51 just set a world record, flying 531 mph.
Voodoo retiring? We’ll see.
Voodoo’s last race at Reno? That would mean that the Witch is the only top racer left. Dreadnought is incredible but just can’t go that fast and neither can Rare Bear, if it ever races again. Precious metal was fast but more a challenge for Dreadnought than a likely Gold class winner. Looks like the Unlimiteds will be “Warbirds on Parade” neat to see but just not the same. With the Unlimiteds bringing what little crowd there is I would think the future of racing at Reno is very much in doubt.