Battle of Bembridge - 75th Anniversary race of the Schneider Trophy

Schneider Trophy race celebrates 75 years of British aviation achievement

BEMBRIDGE AIRPORT
AIRFIELD BEMBRIDGE, ISLE OF WIGHT
WHERE 2.3NM NE OF SANDOWN
RUNWAYS 12/30 (CONCRETE); 23 (GRASS - LANDING ONLY)
FACILITIES FUEL, PROPELLOR INN RESTAURANT, AERO CLUB
TEL 01983 871538
WEB www.eghj.com

IN A fitting tribute to British aviation achievement, the 75th anniversary Schneider Trophy race took place at Bembridge Airfield at the start of September.

The event, organised by the Royal Aero Club's Records, Racing and Rally Association, marked 75 years since Britain won the coveted Trophy in perpetuity in 1931. The Trophy now lives in London's Science Museum.

The competition was announced in 1912 as a new international air race specifically for seaplanes. The brainchild of French industrialist and record-setting balloon pilot Jacques Schneider, it was hoped the race would spur on aircraft design.

Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom took up the challenge, with eleven races taking place between 1913 and 1931, at international locations including Venice, Monaco, Baltimore and the south coast of England.

The event saw a lengthy hiatus spanning 50 years, until 1981 when the race was given a new lease of life. The 3Rs has reinvented the competition, introducing a handicapping system to allow for different types of aircraft.

With support from Breitling, the anniversary race weekend was given special attention, with a black-tie dinner and presentation ceremony on the Saturday evening. Over 250 guests attended, all soaking up the atmosphere as well as compere John Swain's dry humour.

Previous Schneider winners were saluted, as were those who keep the race tradition alive, including Judy Hanson who retired as social secretary this year. Managing director of Breitling UK, Franz La Rosee, at Bembridge for the weekend, was also thanked for his enthusiasm and commitment to air racing.

The Saturday race for the Rolls-Royce Merlin Trophy had been called off earlier in the day, after strong winds, leaving eager race pilots unsure as to whether the Schneider would actually go ahead. Despite the potential for disappointment, everyone was in high spirits!

We awoke to grey skies and drizzle on Sunday morning, which wasn't a great surprise, but undeterred, the pilots, navigators and race officials made their way to Bembridge to sit it out.

Finally, after plenty of cups of tea and talk of heading home, the race was given the go ahead for 1430. Only three pilots out of a total of 50 abandoned the race. Unfortunately Bob Willies, flying a Tiger Moth had to admit defeat due to the gusting winds, while Auster pilot Jim Wesson decided to hop in with fellow Auster man, Rob Callaway Lewis for the race.

Dan White who works at Gatwick ATC was competing in his first race. He flew a commendable performance from first position - as governed by the handicapping rules, to come in seventh place.
Back on the ground, he told LOOP, "I'm still here! I was expecting lots of people to pass me... and they did!

"There were 50-odd aircraft flying around like it must've been in the Battle of Britain... I suppose it was the Battle of Bembridge!".

Paul Whitehead, flying a stunning single-seat Yak 50 and finishing in 24th place, had an interesting race. He said, "I flew the whole race with the GPS unit in my hand!".

Former Schneider winner, John Spooner flying Beechcraft Bonanza, G-COLA, had his 11-year-old son Adam on board as navigator.

"It was the best race I've ever flown. I definitely needed young eyesight this time to see the turning points," he joked.

Carol Walker, who navigated for Malcolm Montgomerie in the race, explained just what it was like flying the five-lap race. "Myself and many of the racers left their seats as we were battered by the turbulence.
"For some, headsets were slipping off - in the most severe turbulence I have ever experienced! Still, the adrenaline was pumping and I enjoyed my third race as navigator," she added.

But it was Martin Kellet and navigator John Hedges, however, who conquered the unsettling 20 knot plus crosswinds to claim the title, flying as race number 54 in a Socata Rallye. Martin, who flies from a farm strip at Lower Upham in Wiltshire, was first across the finish line but due to the handicapping system had to wait until the official results were announced to find out if he'd won the coveted title. "It's a level playing field so everyone stands a chance of winning. Saying that, I was totally

LEADING LADIES STEAL THE SHOW BY FAR the most noticeable of all the racers were Amanda Harrison and Dawn-Marie Taylor, not just because they were the only female pilots racing in the event, but because they made a special effort with their flying attire. Amanda, who flies from Brize Norton and Oxford, flew a Cessna 182 Skylane dressed as Lady Lucy Houston in genuine 1930s costume, acquired on eBay! "We decided to just go for it. I thought it would be

BIRTHDAY BASH WITH A DIFFERENCE BERYL King also did her bit to celebrate the Schneider anniversary and her own 75th birthday, with the help of display team, the Utterly Butterlys. Not one to shy away from an opportunity to support aviation, Beryl climbed aboard the Boeing Stearman and did a wingwalk at Bembridge in the run up to the Schneider. As honorary curator at the Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum and Historical Society - where the Teignmouth Air Race Cup is displayed, she is a loyal supporter of aviation.