Warbird Information Exchange

Air Racing Legends To Gather In Cleveland in May 2006

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the post-World War II National Air Races, held in Cleveland, Ohio (1946-1949), the Society of Air Racing Historians will present its 22nd Annual International Symposium of Air Racing History. The symposium will be held May 5-7, 2006, at the Holiday Inn – Airport, in Brook Park, a suburb of Cleveland. The society plans to reunite many of the surviving air race participants who will share their racing experiences during the symposium.

“The Society of Air Racing Historians has gone to great lengths to assemble the legends of air racing from the great post-war Cleveland era,” said Don Berliner, society president and noted author. “We’re honored to have so many of the race pilots return to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Air Races at next year’s event.”

Racing legends slated to participate in the symposium include:

• Cook Cleland, winner Thompson Trophy 1947 and 1949.
• Dick Becker, Super Corsair pilot and teammate of Cleland.
• Ron Puckett, Super Corsair pilot.
• Gen. Robin Olds (ret.), fighter ace and 1946 Thompson (jet) race participant
• Bill Lear Jr., Bendix Trophy pilot (1946 and 1947).
• Bill Brennand, winner of the 1947 and 1949 Goodyear Trophy Races.
• Dori Marland, participant in the all-women’s Halle Trophy Race (1947).

The 1946 National Air Races ushered in the post-war era of air racing, where surplus military fighters dominated the cross-country Bendix and closed-course Thompson Trophy races. The National Air Races, comparable in crowd size and following to today’s NASCAR races, were held during the Labor Day weekend beginning in 1946 and ending in 1949. The 1950 event was cancelled due to America’s entry into the Korean War.

“You don’t have to be a dedicated air racing fan to enjoy the Gathering of Air Racing Legends, said Berliner. “It will be a celebration of the biggest event in Cleveland’s history: the National Air Races, as a dozen or more men and women who thrilled hundreds of thousands of spectators return to the site of their glory days. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share a rare experience with them.”

For more information, email; A. Kevin Grantham, Pscreamer@msn.com