2014 Reno Gold Air Race - Precious Metal cockpit view

Precious Metal – Appropriately disqualified or not?

What’s the difference between 3rd place and 8th place at the Reno National Championship Air Races? Five aircraft of course, or could it be the decision of a single person on the showline. But the difference for a team is one that could make or break them from returning to race the next year.

Today Team Precious Metal raced and placed 3rd in the Breitling Unlimited Gold race in front of thousands of cheering fans. The crowd went wild as Thom and Precious Metal crossed the finish line in the best position ever accomplished by PM.

But there was just one problem. The team was notified in the pit that a single individual disqualified Precious Metal for crossing the east showline on lap two, well after the announcers officially called it “a clean race”. Even with onboard video evidence confirming the lack of infraction, the officials would not allow the uncorroborated judgment to be contested.

Whenever there is a pylon cut there are multiple judges that have to arrive at a unanimous decision on whether or not the aircraft cut the pylon. On the crowd line the required judge attendance is different. Only one person is required to disqualify any aircraft. This leaves an abundance of room for human error.

The Precious Metal administration has compiled evidence, including this video to exonerate Thom and PM from the disqualification. The officials reviewed the evidence and dismissed it immediately because cutting the show line is non-contestable. Video evidence is not admissible. What would our court system look like if video evidence would not be allowed? What about instant replay review in major sports?

Please review this PM onboard video footage and determine if an infraction, in fact, occurred. Feel free to share this post with your friends and get their interpretation of who was in the wrong; Thom, or the observer on the ground?

The gyro-stabilized camera clearly shows the pylons and how close they were to the aircraft. It does not show the presence of the showline, which would have to be to the left of the aircraft in order to be rightfully DQ’d.

As always, the first priority is the safety of the pilot, crew and fans, followed by fairness in the race. Great pride is taken in what the team does year round to make for good entertainment and working its way to the front of the pack. We ask for you to support the PM team, air racing, and hope for your loyalty going forward.

Race on!