special announcement: 14 Sept 2005
The return of . . .
Well before the advent of the Reno Air Races, what is now called the Unlimited Class was born at the Cleveland Air Races. One of the most successful racers in those early days was an airplane that lacked the fresh paint job and extensive airframe modifications of many of the racers of that day. Yet it finished every one of the eight major races that it entered - an achievement that even some of todays' Unlimited racers find hard to accomplish
The aircraft ran in the Thompson Trophy Race four years in a row [1946-1949], never finishing lower than fourth and placing second in 1948. It also won two other major championship races of the era.
After the Cleveland air races ended in 1949, the aircraft was campaigned at Reno under various names, last appearing in 1988. Since them, this thoroughbred has been resting quietly in storage, waiting for the right moment to return to air racing.
"I've been thinking about bringing the airplane back for the last several years, but it wasn't until I got a call from Rick Shanholtzer a couple of months ago that I decided to do it. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. He pushed me over the edge," says owner and veteran air racer Jimmy Leeward.
"We decided to do it not only to give Rick and me a chance to win a National Championship, but also for the many fans who would like to see it back in air racing. We're going to bring back 'The Galloping Ghost'."
The original name under which this 1944 North American P-51D Mustang raced in Cleveland came from the nickname of famous football player Harold "Red" Grange, who was a native of Hammond, Illinois, the same area where the original co-owners and pilots, Steve Beville and Bruce Raymond lived.
Raced in the 1970's by Cliff Cummins as "Miss Candace", she was bought by Wiley Sanders, renamed as "Jeannie", and flown at Reno in 1980 by Mac McClain and in 1981 by Skip Holm.
Leeward purchased her from Sanders in 1983 and flew her at Reno for one year as "Specter" [a reference back to the original "Galloping Ghost" Moniker], and for three years as the "Leeward Air Ranch Special".
"Right now, she's undergoing an 'extreme make-over' down in Texas, but she'll be moved up to Reno for final assembly and flight test," according to Leeward.
"Rick Shanholtzer is going to be the team manager and engine builder. We expect a six-month restoration, with the first flight in April 2006. If all goes according to plan, we will participate in the next Reno Air Racing Association Pylon Racing Seminar in June 2006."
"Galloping Ghost" will carry its original race number 77, but will be re-numbered as Race 79 for the Reno Air Races.
"We're going to shoot for some race records at Reno, and we're looking forward to taking on 'Strega' and 'Rare Bear'", says Leeward.