In the fifth stage of the 2015 Handicap Air Race Programme at Popham Airfield, the grosvenor Trophy was won in a Robin DR401 powered by a diesel engine.
It was pilot Gordon Bellerby with navigator Dave Lee who competed in the Robin DR401 to take the prize. Although Gordon has been racing in this plane since the beginning of this year’s season, this was his first win of the year.
As far back as records go with the Royal Aero Club racing team, this is the first piston, diesel-powered aircraft ever to win an air race! If anyone thought that diesels couldn’t compete with their AVGAS brothers, now’s the time to have a re-think!
