The 1995 GTBR soared in every way! Evident throughout the three days was the Longview backing of pilot sponsors, local restaurants, the City of Longview, Longview Partnership, its residents and businesses; Gregg County Airport officials, Sheriffs Department, land owners; and the vast East Texas area. Longview with a population of 73,000 acted as the headquarters for East Texas news when GTBR highlights were requested from the State of Texas, the AP Press, ABC, CNN, and the AFB - before, during and after the race.
Held on the Official Balloon Grounds of Gregg County Airport, 75 world class pilots provided superb action, magnetized racing, and warm camaraderie. An impressive list of US pilots were joined by those from Croatia, Sweden, Germany, and Austria expanding the race’s International scope. Competition was their motivating drive. Each pilot had sights on Saturday morning’s Controlled Navigational Trajectory Event (A.D.A.), with the $50,000 having never been won before. Besides the $50,000 plus cash prize, also up for grabs were the $30,000 prize money, the title of 1995 GTBR Champion, and the prestigious GTBR jacket.
On the heels of Thursday nights Kick Off Party, Friday morning’s race delighted visitors and residents alike, as the entire city was turned into a "fly-In," as depicted by photographer Jo Popma of East Texas Magazine.
Residents were thrilled with the sight and visitors utterly surprised, some landing
right in front of them. The response to these magnificent moving billboards was
reflected in the flood of spectators coming through the official 4 p.m. gate opening.
Friday evening clouds lingered overhead and gusts of wind left only seven balloonists making the first glow, but careful planning of additional ground activities, paid off big time. Spectators stayed and enjoyed the grounds activities and left anticipating Saturday morning’s quest for the key.
The intimidating Loblolly pines and capricious East Texas winds were prevalent for every race but the key grab, and this Saturday morning seemed different than past years. Pilots gathered at the usual 6 a.m. briefing to hear Balloonmeister Jim Birk inform them of their four targets, but the primary interest was the weather. Serious, quiet, and concentration written across their faces they visualized themselves as ‘Lord of the Ring.’
Pilots and chase cars quietly slipped away as the crowd settled in a short distance from the pole. Predictions ran high - "this year the lonesome pole standing 20 feet high off the ground would have busy traffic overhead." Some told me, "I just know it (the key) will be taken this year." Others said with confidence, "I’ve come to see it happen" and settled into their folding chairs with cameras and pilot posters firmly in hand. Everyone was fixed on the verdant rim beyond while photographer Lester Phipps positioned himself near Birk and the pole. Everything was set.
The M.C.’s announcement of the first balloon brought cheers and applause. Soon other balloons began to pop up over the "green" horizon. Mr. Peanut tipped his hat to Miss Penny while Mr. Fred B. Rabbit slipped on by, taking their lead. At first, it seemed the behemoths moved ever so slow, but the closer they got the faster they zoomed in, until a multitude hovered over head. Many got very close - others too high - others off to the right too much, and some clustered in groups. Never has there been a key grab with so many balloonists so close for the grab.
"Here comes Dr. Bussey," roared the crowd. "Come on, you can do it." Bussey was very close, about two feet from the pole, but could only drop his marker and be on his way. Close behind came brother Bruce Bussey, and even flying Cadillac Style he couldn’t come close enough. Just behind Bruce came a multitude of balloons. They soared in so close one after another until the sky was dappled in multiple-colors. One balloonists maneuvered in close and was swept away. Others followed.
Then like clock work pilot John Strack of Fayetteville, AR. flying a borrowed balloon, moved in. Smiling like the Cheshire Cat he gingerly slipped the key "into his hip pocket" and the $50,000.00 plus. An article and Phipps magnificent photograph by the Longview News-Journal photographer captured Strack’s smile the second he slipped the ring out of the pole - the key suspended in clear sight. The photo made the front page of the Longview News-Journal with copies hanging on the walls of Strack’s home, the Longview Partnership, and the American Federation of Ballooning.
Despite the dark sky, quick thunderstorm, and an hours wait, the crowd stayed for Saturday night’s best ever balloon glow. The count began at 8:45 p.m. amidst the largest GTBR crowd ever assembled in one night. The "glows and the twinkles" were breathtaking. Those of us from Longview were very proud. It was ‘Our Town’ where Bill Bussey started the Balloon Glow in 1979, now copied around the world.
Ed Cearley, ’95 Chairman, took his job very seriously and must take credit for his engineering efforts on behalf of the GTBR. Besides staying out on the grounds Thursday through Sunday, a week and a half before the race he gathered Brad Streit, 1996 Chairman, Ernie Stith, Grounds chair, and Wade Derman of Strohs (Bill Stoudt’s employee), to diligently study every problem that might arise - be it layout for the balloons, traffic control, audience flow, etc. It paid of big time!
The Great Texas Balloon organizers had plenty of non-stop action for spectators to do. There were two concerts per night, magnificent ground actions appropriately executed, a superb selection of foods -even breakfasts. Specialty items were set in an "Out-Door Mini Mall." Available were free four-color pilot posters and a GTBR mail service. Helicopter and spaceball rides, Moon Walks, sand art activities, Discovery Toys, Water Wars, air craft display, and more were amongst the non-stop activities. Whether arriving or leaving an additional gate kept traffic flowing smoothly.
Sunday morning was a prime example of coordination. The pilots met, the crowd came, and the clouds hovered overhead. Working with Jim Birk, Chairman Ed Cearley, and the announcers the growing rows of spectators quietly awaited Birk’s call. At 8 a.m. the decision was been. The vehicles were sent out in front of the crowd with a fifteen minute window. In a minutes notice the balloonists could fly or tether. The tether decision only disappointed those pilots in second place and below.
The top six places were as follows: first place - Mike Mills, Arkansas with $6,000; second place - Bill Bussey, Texas with $3,000; third place - Mark Bowie, Mississippi with $2,000; fourth place - Bill Cunningham, Tennessee with $1,500; fifth place - Tom Miklousic, Croatia with $1300; sixth place - Steve Jones, Texas with $1200.
Yes, pure magic began in 1979 when the Great Texas Balloon Race was initiated. Dr. Bill Bussey DDS and World Record Hot Air Balloon pilot with Longview Mall managers Frankie Parson and Mary LeTourneau, formed an agreement. The "deal" was: Bussey would drape the Longview Mall Banner on his hot air balloon and fly over the city of Longview to advertise the malls opening - Bussey could then create the first Great Texas Balloon Race on their south lawn.
The Great Texas Balloon Race - the largest in Texas - has just been tagged one of the top 20 hot air balloon events in America. However, to the Citizens of Longview, THEIR Great Texas Balloon Race is-"THE Great One!"
