Did not want to post until the pilots name was released, but lost a great aviator today, Lee Behel. GP-5 went down during qualifying heat at Reno Sport Class today. Very sad day. I did not know Lee, but I have some very dad friends today who did.

Thoughts to his family and friends - blue skies, and "Sweet Dreams" Lee

http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2014/09/08/plane-reported-down-at-reno-stead-airport/15309213/

Always tragic. The media hinted at structural failure but it was unpredictably gusty windy mid day as well.
Bottom line sad and thoughts go out to the family.

I had posted about Wayne Adams in the current Air Races thread. There was an Adams story about a young Air Guard pilot who made a low pass over a small California Lake to check out some girls .A cable was stretched across the canyon and the top of the vertical stabilizer was sliced off. The Park Service called Guard Commander Adams because the local Guard's logo was on the piece. The Air Force wanted the pilots hide but Wayne pulled strings and the pilot was free to advance his aviation career.
Today I found that pilots name- Lee Bethel. Hope it brings a smile to your face as it did to me.