North American T-6 Texan —

Race 50, "Abracadabra," another AT-6, is right behind "Eros."

Just curious...are these 'stock standard', i.e. not modified other than to keep them airworthy?

T-6 CLASS: This class must abide by a specific set of guidelines in order to compete. Aircraft that are eligible to compete must be one of the three different types (all are variations of the same model) of WWII trainers - AT-6, Harvard’s, or SNJ’s. All entries must use the 650 HP, nine cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine. While crews are not allowed to increase the cubic-inch displacement of their P&W powerplant, they are allowed to blueprint the engine (In blueprinting the engines crews often balance the pistons, polish the heads and cylinders, polish the blower and polish the carburetor). The crews are also allowed to fill open seams and wax/polish the aircraft to make them more aerodynamically clean. Last but not least, the crews are allowed to remove the rear seat to reduce overall weight. All this leads to a highly competitive nearly stock class of racers who compete on a 4.990 mile race course in some of the tightest battles seen at the annual event.

Thanks for the explanation Gary. I've seen pics/footage of some heavily modified racers at Reno that only bear some resemblance to the original but from the distance, these T-6s look like the restored veterans that show up at airshows. Clearly a difference when you get to the nuts and bolts.

5x Gman…...I still kick myself in the *ss for never attending the RAR at Stead.