Another year flies by and it’s time for Rat Race again! This year is going to be pretty special. Not only are there going to be two competitions going on in parallel – Rat Race and Rat Race Sprint – but the Rat Race also carries the US National moniker. This means we have a huge field this year and the total number of participants allowed has already been reached – 175 – split approx. 50/50 between Race and Sprint.
With the change in competition rules, all pilots in the Rat Race will be flying EN C or D gliders, while pilots in the Sprint will be flying EN A, B or C. Of course, with the new 2 line En D wings, I expect to see a lot of the Niviuk IP6 in the air. a whole armada of green and black wings. It’s going to be some sight!
Additionally this year I have been working with the committee for the race to set up full media coverage. This will encompass live video feeds from launch as each task happens, where viewers will feel that they are part of the action! The plan here is to show the setup, interview pilots, seeing the task being set and the actual launches as they happen. Web cams from LZ area will provide views of the launch and pilots with SPOT devices will be shown on a map so you can follow your favorite person or see how they are progressing throughout the race.
All of this will be available via the www.mphsports.com web site which should be available live later today, 12th June. Wineries in the area like Fiasco and the bars/restaurants in Jacksonville will alos be showing the Race as it happens on their large TV Screens. All in all I am hoping this turns out well.
Last year I was at Rat Race only two weeks after my cycle accident and I was hurting. No excuses this year, so hoping to compete rather than fly to the wineries this time around! 
I’ll be driving down Friday the 15th and start blogging on the 16th, the practice day. Stay Tuned!
