Aircraft battle for honours in Schneider spectacular (From Western Telegraph)

Aircraft battle for honours in Schneider spectacular

NINETEEN light aircraft took part in two spectacular races when the Schneider Trophy 2001 Air Race was held for the first time at Haverfordwest Airport at Withybush at the weekend.

Aircraft from all over the UK flew to Pembrokeshire to take part in Sundays races, one for the Schneider Trophy itself and the other for the Airborne Trophy.

The 30 mile course took the competitors on four laps around a four leg circuit from Withybush to Long House Farm, Mathry, to St Davids Airfield, to Rickets Head, Newgale and back to Withybush.

People at Newgale beach, particularly, had a grandstand view as the aircraft, some capable of 120mph and others of 235mph, sped across St Brides Bay. It was a handicap race and two competitors in each race were disqualified for exceeding their stipulated speed.

About 1,000 people attended at Withybush and enjoyed a display, which included the variety of competing aircraft together with vintage and classic cars and motorcycles and Mason Brothers traction engine.

Haverfordwest School of Flying chief, Mr John Rees, whose company hosted the race, said: We had a very successful day and everything went very well. It was a great honour to host the Schneider Trophy and we hope Withybush will become a regular venue.

Next weekend the airport has a fly-in when, depending on the weather, aircraft from all over the country could be visiting the area.

If the weather is good we could have as many as 30 or 40 aircraft flying in, said chief pilot Gwyndaf Williams.

The results were:

Airborne Trophy: First four finishers: 1. B.Hook (Piper Tomahawk) 123.9mph; 2. J.Strong (Piper Tomahawk) 121.7mph; 3. A Turner (Grumman AA1C) 136.7mph; 4. R.Miller (Slingsby T67) 165.6mph. Schneider Trophy: 1. I.Seach-Allen (Beagle Pup 150) 139.5mph; 2. R. Miller (Slingsby T67) 166.5mph; 3. P. Earp (Beech Baron) 235.3mph; 4. S. Ollier (Bulldog) 143.4mph.

Fastest lap time was Earps Beech Baron with 7.36 minutes. A county council spokesperson said that with the assistance of Haverfordwest Flight Centres personnel and many of the local pilots acting as ground staff, the event was a resounding success. The airports own staff, who were on hand for the entire time the Royal Aero Club were flying, provided the necessary rescue and fire fighting service plus control room service, said the spokesperson.

CAPTION: The winners of the weekend Schneider Trophy Air Race at Withybush. In the picture (right) are Mr Ken Wiliams (chairman of the Royal Aero Club Records, Racing and Rally Association) and Mr John Rees ,of Haverfordwest Flight Centre (third right), who presented the trophies. Also pictured are the winners of the first three places in each race.