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Monday, September 5, 1949
THOMPSON TROPHY RACE—(R DIVISION)
International Free-for-all—Men Pilots Only—Open to Engines of Unlimited Cubic Inch Displacement
For Reciprocating Engine Airplanes
TOTAL PURSE $40,000.00 and the THOMPSON TROPHY
Sponsored by Thompson Products, Inc.
Including the Ludlum Award—Sponsored by the Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation

Thompson Products, Inc., is sponsoring the THOMPSON TROPHY RACE, an international free-for-all closed circuit race and will award the Thompson Trophy to the winner.

1. $36,500.00 of the above total purse will be awarded to the winners of the first eight places on the following basis:
1st Place — $16,000.00 and Trophy
2nd Place — $8,000.00
3rd Place — 4,500.00
4th Place — 3,000.00
5th Place — $2,000.00
6th Place — 1,500.00
7th Place — 1,000.00
8th Place — 500.00

2. $2,000.00 of the above total purse and the Allegheny Ludlum Award will be given to the winner provided his speed exceeds the present National Air Races record of 396.131 miles per hour. $1,500.00 of the above total purse will be awarded in lap prizes at the rate of $100.00 per lap to the pilot making the fastest time in each of the 15 laps.

3. The airplanes eligible for this event will be the ten (10) airplanes having made the fastest speeds in the qualifying speed trials. In the event of withdrawal of eligible starters, the Contest Committee will allow two (2) alternate qualified entries to make up the field. These to be determined at pilots' meeting held day of event.

4. Aircraft from countries other than the United States are eligible. However, entries may be flown either be qualified United States pilots or pilots from any Nation other than the United States.

5. Distance: 225 miles — 15 laps of the 15-mile quadrangular course.

6. The owner of the winning airplane will be given possession of the Thompson Trophy for ten months from the date of the Race. The pilot of the winning airplane will be awarded, for permanent possession, a Gold Plaque; the pilot of the airplane winning second place will be awarded, for permanent possession, a Silver Plaque; the pilot of the airplane winning third place will be awarded, for permanent possession, a Bronze Plaque.

7. Pilots must fly solo, wear shoulder straps, crash helmets and parachutes. 

JET RACING

The jet events will be participated in by ships of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Naval Air Arm depending on decisions to be made with the approval of the National Military Establishment. There will be no inter-service competition. It is also possible that a jet event will be schedule for Air Guard Jet units.

It is expected that these jet events will be sponsored by Thompson Products, Inc.; Bendix Aviation Corp.; Allison Division, General Motors Corp., and others.