Expanding the Campaign at Reno

Vicky Benzing will use her success in the Sport Class to fly Unlimited at what may be the last race of its kind in Reno.

Julie Boatman

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 04:58 PM ET

Verified

Vicky Benzing first raced in ‘Cruse Missile,’ and now races in ‘Lucky Girl,’ but hopes to campaign ‘Miss Van Nuys.’ [Courtesy: Tucker/Hess Productions]

Key Takeaways:

Vicky Benzing transitioned from a career in physical chemistry to a full-time aviation professional, becoming an accomplished skydiver, aerobatic pilot, and air racer.
She has achieved significant milestones at the Reno Air Races, including being named the "fastest woman at Reno" in 2015 (clocked at 469.831 mph) and topping the Sport Class Silver division with her custom Lancair Legacy, *Lucky Girl*.
For the final Reno Air Races in 2023, Benzing planned to compete in the Unlimited Class with her extensively restored historic P-51 Mustang, *Miss Van Nuys*, realizing a long-held ambition to race a warbird.

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The last Reno. The words sound so stark and signal an abrupt end to the legendary competition (September 13-17, 2023) over the northern Nevada desert—particularly for the “September family” that calls it home. But at least one competitor keeps her eyes focused on the positive, the milestones to achieve, and what success around the pylons means for her future and that of closed-circuit air racing.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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