Very late response. Miss Ashley II's pilot's (Gary Levitz, my father) wife was not in the pits, nor in Reno. She was actually taking me to a hockey game in Texas. My older brother and sister were in the pits and my brother was on the comm with him. This video just made my day, I don't have much footage of him racing anymore after our house fire. Thanks for uploading this and for the respectful comments folks
@rlevitz Sorry to hear that. It's a great sport that has claimed a lot of lives. ... kind of like Top Fuel Drag Boat racing. I hope to see someone replicated what your father and Ed Browning did with these planes. It seems like we've had a lack of spirit and ingenuity in the last few years. I'm just sorry it has such a high price.
such such such a shame to see miss ashley go down... She wouldve left dago red strega and rarebear standing still. I remember hearing she was racing 4th place that year at 84% power. amazing. levitz Rip.
Unfortunately, Miss Ashley II, the first plane in the video, disintegrated during the 99' Air show and pilot Gary Levitz was killed during the unlimited finals. I witnessed it among 3 other deaths over the years of attending the Reno Air Races.
Pretty neat to have two of the three only/ever Griffon Powered stangs in the same race (Miss Ashley II and Precious Metal).. Too bad the RB-51 got it's life cut short, wonder where it would be today.. Glad Steve survived nevertheless.. The swept wing and stab on Miss Ashley II(Surfaces off of Vendetta) look kool as well and give the LearStang's a mean look...
Very late response. Miss Ashley II's pilot's (Gary Levitz, my father) wife was not in the pits, nor in Reno. She was actually taking me to a hockey game in Texas. My older brother and sister were in the pits and my brother was on the comm with him. This video just made my day, I don't have much footage of him racing anymore after our house fire. Thanks for uploading this and for the respectful comments folks
-Ryan Levitz
rlevitz 5 months ago
@rlevitz Sorry to hear that. It's a great sport that has claimed a lot of lives. ... kind of like Top Fuel Drag Boat racing. I hope to see someone replicated what your father and Ed Browning did with these planes. It seems like we've had a lack of spirit and ingenuity in the last few years. I'm just sorry it has such a high price.
rrhynes 5 months ago
Great shot of Critical Mass scrubbing the sagebrush.
shykylex13 5 months ago
I love the fucking sound as they fly by! thank you doppler effect!
Riggro 11 months ago
So sad that Miss Ashley crashed. I was there. Bummer for the family and the unique aircraft.
straighttailpilot 11 months ago
My 21st Birthday present to myself... Reno Air Races & Mustang! 9-17-70
Loved it all ever since!
foxtrot990 1 year ago
"right above us guys, right above us! YAAAAAA" HAHAHA LOVE IT
vendetta81 1 year ago
Mickey sure had her spooled up, great footage, how cool to hear two Griffons with mix-masters....RIP Gary!
warbirdfotos 1 year ago
such such such a shame to see miss ashley go down... She wouldve left dago red strega and rarebear standing still. I remember hearing she was racing 4th place that year at 84% power. amazing. levitz Rip.
straighttailpilot 1 year ago
what kind of plane was that at 0:46
EricCharlesLomax1 2 years ago
1950 Hawker Sea Fury Critical Mass @:46
kitam1 1 year ago
@EricCharlesLomax1 @46. hawker seafury.
straighttailpilot 1 year ago
@EricCharlesLomax1 I think it was a Sea fury....definately radial engine and it's not an F4U Corsair
RFKFANTS67 4 months ago
God, I LOVE the sound of a Merlin engine! It's a beautiful sound, indeed!
DonTheCritic 2 years ago
I got to meet those guys at Oshkosh that year. The plane and pilot had so much potential.
K4rt80y 2 years ago
The last plane was "Samurai" flown by Mickey Rupp.
kitam1 2 years ago
That's a P-51 Mustang at the end..either "Samurai" or "Voodoo" but it's really hard to tell.
MarsTSM 2 years ago
Unfortunately, Miss Ashley II, the first plane in the video, disintegrated during the 99' Air show and pilot Gary Levitz was killed during the unlimited finals. I witnessed it among 3 other deaths over the years of attending the Reno Air Races.
HoustonGD 3 years ago
These are great clips. Where can I buy a dvd of Reno races. What a sound!!
osgood54 3 years ago
Great footage!
ChristopherWebbFilms 3 years ago
Awsome Larry. You've been holding out on us.
interstellardust1 3 years ago
That first plane to pass with the counter-rotating props, was that Miss Ashley II??? Sure looked like it.
awilliams89 4 years ago
Yes it was Miss Ashley II
kitam1 4 years ago
Pretty neat to have two of the three only/ever Griffon Powered stangs in the same race (Miss Ashley II and Precious Metal).. Too bad the RB-51 got it's life cut short, wonder where it would be today.. Glad Steve survived nevertheless.. The swept wing and stab on Miss Ashley II(Surfaces off of Vendetta) look kool as well and give the LearStang's a mean look...
RickGerald 4 years ago
What year was this?
dci762striker 4 years ago
They were a mix of 94-97.
Critical was 97
kitam1 4 years ago
Probably not!!!
tedfellows 4 years ago
Great shots! Could Critical Mass get any lower?
ak4570 5 years ago