Wings and Wheels: Utah’s Festival of Speed delights fanatics and families alike

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_This article was initially printed on KSL Vehicles Useful resource Middle. Learn the unique article right here._

One other 12 months, one other superior occasion by town of Spanish Fork, Envision, and Utah County wealth administration advisor, Richard Seal. Wings and Wheels: Utah’s Competition of Velocity at all times brings out a enjoyable crowd, and this 12 months was no completely different. A number of thousand individuals have been on the Spanish Fork Airport to witness a few of the state’s quickest vehicles and most original planes in motion.

Like final 12 months I attended with my dad, a retired air site visitors controller. He’s a strolling encyclopedia for something with a motor, which made the day as instructional because it was entertaining.

A day of enjoyable

From the early morning hours of acrobatic flying to the late unique half-mile pulls, each occasion was a tribute to the very best machines of the land and sky.

“This occasion is like none different. We attempt exhausting to deliver individuals of all pursuits collectively to get pleasure from some insane vehicles, wonderful airplanes, and funky stuff they will not see wherever else, like Lamborghinis and McLarens racing airplanes with explosions happening behind them. It is superior,” stated Trevor Hoyt of Envision, one in every of Wings and Wheels’ essential organizers.

Co-organizer Richard Seal echoed Trevor’s sentiments. “Realistically, nearly anyone ought to come to the occasion and have enjoyable,” stated Seal. “It does not matter for those who’re a automobile or airplane individual. What we have tried to design is plenty of communities coming collectively to have a good time. Autocross, money days, racing, exotics, airplanes and most of the people — everybody all collectively.”

Whereas all of the vehicles, airplanes and occasions have been unimaginable, listed below are a few of our favorites from all through the day.

Unique vehicles racing an airplane

There are few sights as memorable as a 1,650-horsepower Lamborghini Huracán and a vivid orange McLaren GT capturing down the runway towards Brad Wursten in his MX2 to, actually, explosive outcomes. With explosions going off behind the trio, and Wursten inverted over the vehicles, it was an exhilarating sight to see these pace demons working in live performance collectively for the proper picture op.

Stunt flying

Brad Wursten’s aerial acrobatics have been, as at all times, top-notch and really entertaining. Between him and the brand new Prime Gun film, I would be stunned if there wasn’t an extended line of would-be pilots signed up for flight college proper now. Wursten is a Logan native, so for those who make it to the subsequent Warriors Over the Wasatch Air and House Present at Hill Air Drive Base, you are more likely to see him and his death-defying stunts once more.

Warplanes

There have been classic warplanes and WWI biplanes on show. The spotlight of the day for me was seeing the P-51 “Mormon Mustang” up shut and within the air. This legendary warplane, now owned by John Bagley in Rexburg, Idaho, was an inspiring and patriotic sight. The second you hear the Rolls-Royce Merlin 12-cylinder engine hearth up, you recognize that one thing particular is about to take to the skies. Upon its departure from the Spanish Fork airport, the pilot graciously handled the spectators to a sequence of low-altitude flybys. Listening to the roar of this traditional airplane fly overhead was one thing I am going to always remember — and maybe by no means see once more, given how few of those struggle heroes are left.

Money days and the unique automobile runway assault

The remainder of the day was filled with thrilling automotive occasions, the highlights being the money days races and top-speed unique pulls.

The money days races have been as thunderously thrilling as ever. Watching vehicles that produce properly over 1,000 horsepower blast down the taxiway at ludicrous speeds was a jaw-dropping affair. A favourite of mine was an outdated, orange Datsun 240Z full of a 6.0-liter turbocharged V8. To see a automobile that small wield an engine almost as giant because the automobile itself was nothing in need of spectacular.

The final occasion of the day was the unique automobile runway assault. With a half-mile stretch of the taxiway at their disposal, it was unimaginable to see a few of the quickest vehicles within the state obtain properly over 170 mph and even 200 mph, together with Teslas, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Audis, Camaros, Corvettes, Challengers and GT-Rs.

We’ve some world’s greatest vehicles in Utah, and this was one of many solely alternatives to see them of their aspect, freely stretching each ounce of their horsepower.

Over 50 airplanes on show

From classic jets to fashionable airplanes and garage-built beauties — Wings and Wheels: Utah’s Competition of Velocity had all of it. A lot of their house owners attended and it was nice to listen to their tales of how the fun of flying has given them a interest to get pleasure from for, in some cases, a long time.

As cool as this 12 months’s tenth anniversary was, we will not await subsequent 12 months. “It may be particular. We will not reveal something but, however subsequent 12 months goes to blow this 12 months out of the water,” stated Hoyt. In the event you missed this 12 months’s Wings and Wheels: Utah’s Competition of Velocity occasion, you will remember to wish to make it out in 2023.

For extra data on the occasion, go to the Wings and Wheels: Utah’s Competition of Velocity web site, right here and right here.

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The views or opinions expressed on this article are these of the author and don’t replicate the views or opinions of KSL.com or its workers.

Concerning the creator: Having owned every little thing from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong automobile fanatic who loves sharing his passions as a instructor, author, speaker and social media supervisor. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com for feedback/questions, or simply to say “hello.”