There are 5 unlimited racers that currently lead the class.
Voodoo (RR Merlin)
Rare Bear (Wright R-3350)
Strega (RR Merlin)
Precious Metal (RR Griffon)
Czech Mate (P&W R-2800)
The Sea Fury contingent hasn't been very fast in comparison of late. All of these run Wright R-3350s, except Dreadnought which runs a P&W 4360. When Rare Bear is making full power and doesn't break, it's the fastest of them all. However, in 2013, the Bear was down 400 hp and they couldn't figure out why before the race. Precious Metal was running too hot and the pilot had to back off power. This year, Rear Bear suffered a DNF. Strega beat Voodoo across the finish line by about 10 feet. However, Tiger was disqualified as he exceeded the hard ceiling by several hundred feet on the last lap. By climbing, Destefani gained back the lost distance as Strega was about 10 mph faster up there. He closed on Voodoo and then dived to nip Hinton at the line. Classic race maneuver, but it now violated the rules adopted after the Galloping Ghost crash a few years ago. Destefani apparently wasn't aware of the rule change. Go figure. Precious Metal finished third, but was also disqualified do to an alleged crossing of the showline. Various videos showed that this was not the case, but the FAA observer cannot be overruled... Days later, having seen the various video evidence, he admitted to having been wrong in his judgment. Too late for Precious Metal and her crew....
Here is a spectacular video taken from Voodoo and the POF T-33 pace plane during the 2013 race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e1f89eidFs
