• Matt Coughlin with Cassutt Racer #44. (Hayden King)
    Matt Coughlin with Cassutt Racer #44. (Hayden King)
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A chance meeting between an Australian rookie and a veteran air racer has resulted in the Aussie scoring a Formula 1 pilot seat for the upcoming Reno air races in September.

Matt Coughlin from Berry, NSW, was attending the Reno rookie school in June when he encountered Reno veteran Holbrook Maslen from Idaho. Maslen clearly saw something in the young Aussie, and the meeting led to an invitation for Coughlin to fly the Cassutt Racer #44 Judy in the Formula 1 category this year.

Coughlin and Australian crew member Hayden King from Tomerong, NSW, had originally planned a campaign for 2019, but with Maslen's aircraft on offer, their program came forward 12 months.

The aircraft was originally built for Reno legend Judy Wagner in the 1970s, but had not flown since 2011 when it had an engine problem during the heats. After modification, Coughlin taxied out at Boise, Idaho, on 18 July, watched carefully by Maslen and Crew Chief John Kruck. It was the first time Judy had been back in the air since the aborted attempt at Reno seven years ago.

Coughlin familiarised himself with the controls and the Cassutt's unique characteristics, especially the poor visibility from the cockpit, claustrophobic conditions and high temperatures.

Formula 1 calls for aircraft fitted with a Continental O-200A engine, operating at power settings much higher than the 100 hp at 2750 RPM that the engine usually runs at when fitted to most GA aircraft. After testing the engine at race settings, Coughlin became secretive about the Cassutt's performance, except to say "Damn she is fast!"

With more air time since the return flight of Judy, Coughlin, Maslen, Kruck and King are happy with the results and looking forward to throwing down the gauntlet in the Formula 1 class at Reno.

The aircraft is now on the way to Reno Stead airport in Nevada, where it will be reassembled and prepped ready for practice and the first qualifying runs on 6 September.

"This opportunity was made possible by Mr Maslen, who identified an ordinary Aussie guy straight out of Rookie school to fly his aircraft for 2018," King said. "A very exciting and humbling gesture that Matt and I are working hard to repay."

The Reno Championship Air Races are on in Reno, Nevada, 12-16 September this year.

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