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18TH ANNUAL WORLD'S PREMIER AIR CLASSIC (Continued from page 17) [[Image]] The world's first Air Race held in Rheims, France in 1909. Quite different from the National Air Races held today. development of the industry in all its branches. Let's Compare the Records A comparison of the 1938 program with the National Air Races of 1929 furnishes a clear picture of the changes that have taken place in aviation since that time. In 1929 there was a spot on the program for almost any ship that would fly. Thirty-five or forty events, including numerous air derbies, provided plenty of motion, but didn't prove anything. Today, to build a ship that can qualify in the Thompson Trophy Race requires a major investment. Ten thousand dollars is about the minimum for any plane that rates a chance as a main event winner. In the past few years, and particularly in 1938, the race program and the prize distribution have been altered to conform with this trend. In the three main events alone there is a total of $100,000 in prize money; $30,000 for the Bendix Trophy Race, free-for-all transcontinental speed dash; $45,000 for the Thompson Trophy Race, free-for-all high speed land plane classic including the Ludlum Award; and $25,000 for the Louis W. Greve Trophy Race, limited to motors of 549 cubic inches or less. There is a direct relation between these increased prize awards for major events and the cost of building racing planes. It means further stimulation of new design and the best and latest developments leading builders have to offer. The Thompson Trophy Race The yearly changes in details of the [[image]] Lincoln Beachey "taking off" during the first American Air Races held at Dominguez Field, Los Angeles, California, in 1910 main events indicate further revisions in the future. The Thompson classic is typical. In 1934 the Thompson was flown over a hundred mile course of 20 laps with a total purse of $10,000; in 1935 the distance was increased to one hundred fifty miles, 10 laps of 15 miles and the purse increased to $15,000; in 1936 the distance remained at one hundred fifty miles, 15 laps of 10 miles, but the purse was again boosted, to $20,000 total; in 1937 $28,000, including the the Ludlum Award of $2,000.00. For 1938 the total is $45,000 including the Ludlum Award of $4,000.00 and the distance increased to 300 miles. The management of the National Air Races visualize the Thompson, in coming years, as a five hundred mile speed classic, with a total purse of $50,000. Qualifying Speed Trials Behind the final of the Thompson Trophy Race, of course, are the qualifying speed trials which bring up to the starting line the fifteen fastest ships in the meet. Although a plane may be built and conditioned specifically for the Thompson, and entered in that event only, any other plane in the meet, except a ship entered in the Bendix Trophy Race, can qualify as a starter and a possible winner. The Bendix Trophy Race It is interesting, too, to trace the history of the Bendix Trophy Race up to 1938. From the standpoint of practical aviation the Bendix is a virtual laboratory as it includes, under the pressure of intense competition, all those elements that the coast-to-coast air lines face continuously. It is a classic on which the eyes of the Nation are focused as the ships stream across the country for this major opening day event. The total purse this year is $30,000, an increase of $5,000 over 1937. The Bendix has brought into the headlines many of the famous air names of the past decade of flying. Major James H. Doolittle, Capt. James H. Haizlip, Col. Roscoe Turner, Ben O. Howard, all have streaked across the country to win this gruelling dash. The Louis W. Greve Trophy Race Another outstanding closed-course event is the Louis W. Greve Trophy Race for ships of 549 cu. in. displacement or less with the total purse this year of $25,000. This represents an increase of $10,000 over 1937. It is 20 laps of the 10 mile course and because of the cubic inchi limitation, will leave the result largely up to the pilot. In Conclusion While the so called "air circus" features inspire and attract the public, it is the high speed racing, after all, that is the reason for these annual gatherings. And the little band of racing pilots and their flashy planes, the industry and its personnel, and the U.S. Air Service make it possible. Transportation speeds, innovations and mechanical improvements have increased and been adopted in direct proportion to Air Race speeds and developments. The National Air races, therefore, warrant the prestige that accrues to them since they are dedicated to aviation's advancement and designed to keep pace with its tempo. [[Image]] Beautiful surroundings land a dignified and pleasing atmosphere to the Cleveland air race stadium. 1938 NATIONAL AIR RACES PAGE 37
