Scoring and NO penalties

Since the Purple Hearts did NOT officially handicap before the race, they have been flying the course as a non-competition exhibition team (no prize money). Given the confusing and weather restricted race losing 6 legs, this probably was one of the best years to race 'just for fun'.

However, the 3 legs that did officially register were subject to the normal rules and the Hearts did a fantastic job of catching the wind and using it to their advantage. We did a post a few years ago with a handicap run of 147 miles per hour. That is probably pretty standard top speed for a Piper Archer II. After the race in 2016 however, the team had re-handicap in Florida since they rode the whole way with an extra rudder inside the plane. After the plane had logged about 3500 miles cleaning out the engine and tuning it to precision, the plane handicapped at around 150 miles per hour.

So you will note that the plane performed well on the first two legs coming in over 154 miles per hour and the last leg at 146. On average a very respectable score and we will see how it compares to the winners of the race to determine if the Hearts would have been in the 'hunt' for prize money if they had been racing competitively. Regardless the ladies had an experience of their lifetimes and are thrilled to have run a clean race with no penalties and everyone and everything brought home in a healthy condition! - ed

Only 3 legs were officially scored, NO penalties for the Hearts

Cruising by timing tent at Fryeburg   (Photo: Cynthia Lee)

Greeted in Fryeburg by friends! (Photo: Laurie Strand)