(background music swells...)
Living on the edge...
... slam it into overdrive!
Its a highway to the Danger Zone,
Gonna take it right into the Danger Zone!
- Kenny Loggins, Theme from "Top Gun"
"The world's greatest fighter pilot" (self-described) wrote to say that race #10, the "Super Sea Fury" better known as "Critical Mass" would once again take to the skies at Reno for the 1996 NCAR. It was only weeks away from the competition and the mysterious bird had just taken to the air for the first time in two years. Never mind the near-fatal explosion that left pilot/owner Tom Dwelle missing a few fingers. Never mind the fact that the Dwelles had sold the T-6 racer that Tom and lately Tom Jr. had been flying since 1991. The Dwelles and "Critical Mass" were back at Reno and ready to race! Even Ken Dwelle, currently flying F-117s for the USAF made an appearance, but had to disengage & return to work, due to certain developments in Iraq...
Originally racing as the Levelor-sponsored "Blind Man's Bluff" in 1987, the airplane now dubbed "Critical Mass" was the first Sea Fury to be mounted with a Wright 3350 engine in place of the "stock" Bristol-Centaurus. It used a prop from a AD-1 Skyraider, (the same plane Tom flew as a fighter jock in Viet Nam) and a cowling from an A-26 Invader attack bomber. The Dwelles bought it and did their own magic to it before introducing it in 1993 as Tom Sr.'s entry into Unlimited class racing after twice taking the T-6 championship trophy in #7 "Tinkertoy" (1989 & 1990) .
A fighter-pilot's air racer, Tom Sr. has had success in both arenas, while developing a reputation for a rather uh, bold flying style.
In one of his first heat races in the unlimited class in 1993, Tom was cited for an unorthodox pass attempt and was disqualified from
the competition, Skip Holm taking his place as pilot of Critical Mass. The following year, the plane broke down with engine trouble
and has been AWOL from Reno ever since.
Now sporting a new canopy and fully repaired from
the explosion of a pressurized N2O tank, the airplane & pilot were finally ready to
show their stuff again to the fans - and the other racers. Even their new sponsor Taco Bell unwittingly seemed to echo the thoughts of some
of the other racers in an ad they placed in the official race program. To say Critical Mass was being watched closely by all concerned
would be a major understatement!
Early in the week, Tom had taken the highly modified Hawker for a qualifying lap of 397.7 mph, placing 6th fastest in a field of 26 qualifiers in the unlimited class. Although not yet competitive with the leaders pushing 500mph this year, Dwelle had earned a place in the Gold race finals after flying good heats on Thursday and Saturday.
Unfortunately for the fans and the Dwelles, a bad radio led to a mis-communication regarding landing sequence after the Saturday heat race and the big bird was grounded for the championship race on Sunday.
But the Dwelles are not easily stopped!
Despite the fact that it had been sold recently, and wasn't even in the official program, T.J. qualified #7 "Yankee Air Pirate" at
207.4 mph, 13th in a field of 17 T-6s, and ultimately finished 1st in the Bronze race, besting last years speed by over 4 mph.
Will the Dwelles be back next year with even more speed mods? Tune in for the next installment of this continuing racing drama!
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