Nellis drivers test their limits at Airmen Autocross and Car Show Published Oct. 2, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Nellis and Creech Airmen were able to put the pedal to the metal and the rubber to the road at the third annual Nellis Airmen Autocross Event, held Sept. 29-30 on the Nellis Air Force Base Flightline. For the second year in a row, an F-16 raced against a high-end sports vehicle. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, the most powerful single-engine aircraft in the Air Force arsenal, extended its victory record to 2-0. Col. Thomas "Gumby" Webster, 57th Operations Group commander, secured the Air Force's dominance on land by defeating Paul Hesselgesser, treasurer of the Ferrari Club of Las Vegas, and his Jaguar XJR-15, valued at more $1 million, in a mile-long shootout. Colonel Webster wasn't the only person who got to test his limits over the weekend. More than 1,300 Airmen from Nellis and Creech attended the two-day event, which was broken up into three up-and-coming forms of racing. "We were aiming to double our numbers from the previous autocross event, but the numbers we reached completely blew that goal out of the water," said Lt. Col. Ronald Hanselman, 549th Combat Training Squadron director of operations and event organizer. Whether Airmen enjoy the speed offered by the classic mile shootout, the precision handling required by the auto-cross, or the thrill of power-sliding their car sideways around corners, everyone could find something to enjoy on the track. "The reason we are holding this event is so Nellis and Creech Airmen can push their vehicles and themselves to their limits in a safe, controlled, legal environment," said Cate Berry, 99th Services Squadron director of marketing and event organizer. "This was a great event that shows Nellis really understands the interests of its Airmen and is willing to shut down the flightline for the sake of boosting our morale," said Airman Lewis Wolter II, 99th Communications Squadron video maintainer. "I really enjoyed the chance to hang out with people as enthusiastic about cars as I am and am looking forward to the next time the base holds an event like this." But driving wasn't the only thing available to those in attendance. Many Airmen and their families had the opportunity to see many of the high-end cars on display. More than 100 cars were provided by the Lamborghini and Ferrari Car Club's of Las Vegas, ranging from a Nevada police cruiser to a one-of-a-kind 1957 Ferrari 410 Super America. Members of the Nevada State Police tested their mettle on the autocross track when they agreed to pursue a volunteer "criminal" through the course. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution managed to escape the officer and crossed the finish line 15 seconds faster than the cruiser. The race isn't over for those who weren't able to make it to the event this year. The next autocross is slated for April 2008.
