Formula V Air Racing

Formula V Air Racing is an American motorsport that involves small aircraft using engines up to 100 cubic inches (1.6 litres) in displacement.

A Formula V Racer, the Monnett Sonerai I.

History

The proposal for Formula V has its roots in the 1964 Reno Air Races.[1] In 1969, Air racer, Steve Wittman presented at the Rockford air convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association specifications for a racing event based around aircraft powered with a Volkswagen air-cooled engine.[2]

Racers compete around a 2-mile oval course that subject the racers to up to 2.2g.

Several aircraft were capable of meeting the specifications for Formula V at its creation. Specific designs were introduced shortly after that maximized speed for the configuration.

Aircraft include:

Champions
Brian Dempsey's Sonerai I "Miss Annapolis"

Winners of the Formula V National Championship are determined by points from the years events. Since 1995 the winner also holds The Wittman Trophy for a year.[4]

  • Steve Wittman 1977-81
  • Charles Terry 1985
  • Rick Leonard 1987-88
  • Brian Dempsey 1989-95 Sonerai "Miss Annapolis"
  • Dave Patterson 1996-97

References
  1. Don Berliner (January 1973). "What's up with Formula V". Sport Aviation.
  2. Bill Blake (October 1969). "Specifications For The 100 Cubic Inch Racers". Sport Aviation.
  3. Don Berliner (December 1970). "WITTMAN FORMULA V FLIES!". Sport Aviation.
  4. "Formula V National Champions & Wittman Trophy". Formulav.com. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
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