Hello Name Tag, Inc. bloggers, and thank you for inviting us into your forum. We’re absolutely thrilled to be sponsored by Name Tag, Inc. in the upcoming 2010 National Reno Air Races, and we wanted to take a minute to introduce ourselves…

Meet the McDonald Racer Crew

The McDonald Racer crew is a unique team compiled of expert mechanics, skilled pilots, race strategy engineers, photographers, business professionals and more.  Although the crew members are as diverse as they come, they all share one definitive passion…T-6 Warbird Air Racing at the annual Reno Air Races. 

 Without the crew…there would be no McDonald Racer.  The crew is the heart of the team, and volunteers all of their time and services.  They’re consistently working to keep the aircraft competitive at increasing in speeds, while at the same time keeping the pilot safe.  To read the McDonald Racer Crew Bios, please visit: www.t6raceteam.com

Meet the Pilot

John Zayac, a licensed pilot for over 20 years, has flown in the annual Reno Air Races for 10 years.  He started, as many new racers, in the T-6 bronze class.  In 2003 he won first place in the bronze, steadily moved up through the silver class, and currently competes in the gold class. 

He was the president of the T-6 Racing Association for 5 years, and remains an active member on the board of directors to this day.  Zayac married his high school sweetheart Martha Zayac, and has three daughters in Denver, Colorado.  He is also the small business owner of IBG Business Services, a middle market mergers and acquisitions firm, also local to Colorado. (www.ibgbusiness.com)   

Crew & Pilot Goals for 2010 Races

1. Actively Encouraging Children Interested in Aviation
2. Win First Place in the T-6 Gold Class
3. Break and Maintain the Air Racing Speed Record of 244.523 mph.

The 2010 National Reno Air Races

 September 15^th – 19^th 2010

The National Reno Air Races consists of 5 days of competitive air racing, broken into gold, silver, and bronze race levels, and 6 different classes of aircraft.  The racetrack is outlined by 50-foot tall pylons, with pilots racing anywhere from 20 to 40 feet over the actual ground.  The annual event attracts 250,000-300,000 aviation enthusiasts, and is hosted by the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of authentic air racing. To learn more about the Reno Air Races or RARA please visit: www.airrace.org.

The T-6 McDonald Racer

The McDonald Racer is a T-6 Warbird, originally used to train fighter pilots in the United States Air Force during World War II.  Although the race team has been competing in the national air races for the past 10 years, they did not begin using this specific aircraft until 2006.  

Sponsorship

Race sponsors, such as Name Tag, Inc., are an integral part of the McDonald Racer team.  Our generous sponsors not only enable us to race at our full potential, but their professional and personal support brings us closer to our goals of encouraging child aviators, winning first place in the T-6 gold class, and breaking the speed record.

 Thank you to all of our 2010 Generous Sponsors….

 ACES Systems

Cannon Aviation Insurance

Denver Avionics, Inc.

Finishmaster

Grand Sierra Resort

Heads by Drew: Port Development

IBG Business Services, Inc.

Name Tag, Inc.

PPG Industries

Sierra Nevada Corporation

Straight Flight, Inc.

Tac Air

Tulsa Aircraft Engines, Inc.

Wings West: Governor Exchange & Overhaul, Inc.

 As we continue to prepare for the races, we’ll be sure to continue to blog ever 2 weeks about our team history, and how we’re preparing for the upcoming races.  If you’d like to learn more about the team, please don’t hesitate to visit our website at: www.t6raceteam.com

Big Thank You Again to Name Tag, Inc.!