The Buick Olympic Trans-Michigan Balloon Race was organized by Michigan Balloon Corporation, and hosted by the Ludington Ramada Inn. The title sponsor, Buick Motor Division, offered a 1996 Buick Olympic Gold Regal as the Grand Prize for a baggie dropped onto a target on the 16th fairway of Warwick Hills Country Club, home of the Buick Open, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Special guest at this year’s event was Serena’s Song, the only wheel chair assessable balloon in the U.S. Free tethered balloon rides were provided for physically or mentally challenged children and adults and their families.
Balloonists arrived in Ludington, on the west coast of Michigan, on Friday and attended a welcome reception and pilot briefing. Weather forecasts were for a snow storm on Saturday (memories of last year’s blizzard) with a possible flight window on Sunday. Participants awoke on Saturday to five inches of new snow and 20 mile per hour winds. Pilots and crew resigned themselves to a day in the pool, hot tub and sauna. On Saturday afternoon, over 50 participants competed in the Crew Olympics. Events of ping-pong, euchre, billiards, putting and a coloring contest for the kids pitted eight teams against each other, but, pilot Mike Niebel and his crew championed!
As the day progressed, the weather improved, with a hint of sunshine late in the day. Forecasts remained questionable, though, with winds at 15 miles per hour when all went to bed.
The fates were smiling at the 5:30 a.m. briefing on Sunday. Winds were nearly calm on the surface, and out of the northwest at 60 miles per hour at 10,000 feet. An initial, thin cloud layer at 2,500 feet extended 15 miles inland, but the rest of the state was clear. Temperature at altitude was t5 degrees vs. 7 degrees on the ground. Ten balloons launched at 8:30 a.m. to follow Captain Larry Knight in the Buick Olympic Balloon. His passenger, WIOG disc jockey Ian Richards, did a live broadcast from the balloon, and served as the "official judge."
After a two hour flight, the winning balloon, piloted by Ron Pethick and Scott Burdick, crossed the finish line of I-69 near the Lansing Airport. 2nd place went to Mark Sheppard, flying with his wife Jackie, and 3rd place price was won by Andy Baird, who eventually landed a mile and a half from his house! Kevin Knapp, flying the Army balloon, earned the "Long Distance" award when he finally landed at Willow Run Airport (176 miles). The valiant crews chased along I-96 "slightly" above posted speed limits, but pilots waited 45 minutes or more for chase crews to catch up to them. We found out why when Andy clocked his airspeed at 72 miles per hour on his GPS.
The awards banquet was held at in Flint, Michigan on Sunday February 25. Special thanks to Buick Motor Division, Michigan Balloon Corporation, WIOG, and Serena’s Song for an outstanding winter event.
Those interested in flying the Fourth Annual Trans-Michigan Balloon Race should contact Michigan Balloon Corporation at 810-634-9400.
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