Temporary Topguns

This week-end I attended the final of the FIA World Rallycross Championship held at Killarney race track in Cape Town. As my friend is interested in the automotive industry, he appreciates the subtleties of torque, RPM, turbo overflow and horsepower (despite the obvious absence of horses),  much better than I do. But it appears that racing is popular with a broad spectrum of people. Behind me Schalk Burger Sr, wine farmer and Springbok rugby player of yesteryear was sitting and just behind him Hennie Bosman, a South African Karate guru. After repeated requests I capitulated and gave them my autograph…

Back to the racing – I can tell you that the RX class cars accelerate from 0 to 100km in 1.9 seconds and that is impressive in anybody’s book. They actually accelerates faster than Formula 1 cars. Now at this point some of you may be thinking how you can diplomatically inform me that I am displaying photos of aeroplanes and not cars with horses… Now to prevent such an unfortunate occurrence: I am aware of this.  The aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force, the Silver Falcons gave an air show. I was fortunate to speak to the leader of the team Major Mark Gentles . I learned that this is not the team members full time job – a temporary activity – as all of them are instructors or pilots in the Air Force.

I was fortunate that with the help of the pilots and the camera lens, they came close enough to take this clear picture

One section of the sky had this beautiful zebra like pattern

The temporary lines produced in the air by the these planes were duplicated in the sky in a way humans cannot replicate it

The start of one of the many manouvers

A team like this does have a big turn around of members, as these are top sought after pilots. Fortunately even during displays applications are made to become members!

I am including this photo to verify that I was actually at a race. Sometimes I am a bit cynical when it comes to advertising. But here I was disproved – Red Bull does give you wings! I am unsure if these racers are actually qualified to fly, be it temporary or not.

In response to WordPress Weekly Photo challenge: temporary

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Cor. 4:18

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