DATE             LOCATION                                  NOTES (Full report follows)

23 Jun 05       Athens , Frankfort , Lafayette    Day 8 - THA to UNI; UNI to FKR; FKR to LAF

Tullahoma , Tennessee to Athens , Ohio (THA to UNI)

We got to the Airport at about 8:00 AM for our departure to Athens . When we arrived at the Airport we were greeted by the Mayor of Tullahoma, who had come to see us off.

Tamra flew the leg from Tullahoma to Athens . The day was hazy but the view of the mountains, rivers, and lakes was beautiful. We arrived in Athens where we were provided with lunch and another goody bag. We rested there for a while and chatted with Classic 14 -- Susan and Marie -- a mother-daughter team.

Athens , Ohio to Frankfort , Indiana to Lafayette , Indiana (UNI to FKR to LAF)

Sonia flew the final leg of the race, which took us through Frankfort Municipal Airport where we had to make the final fly-by through the timing line. We left Athens at around 1:30 PM so it was a very hot and bumpy ride. Although we were tired, we were very excited by the fact that we were close to crossing the finish line and completing the race.

Tamra announced on the radio “Classic 40 is 10 miles out for the fly by to continue” as we prepared to complete our low pass through the finish line. We made the low approach and crossed the finish line. We were thrilled and excited to have finished the race.

Within 20 minutes we arrived at Purdue University Airport , where once again we received a very warm welcome from the Purdue team. We then checked in and turn in the airplane's keys. The plane and its logbooks are impounded for inspection, which means we do not have access to the plane until after the race results are announced on Sunday night.

We were the 7th team to arrive and a few other teams arrived after us.

We could not believe it was over so quickly. This has been an indescribable experience and a fantastic adventure. We feel lucky to have taken part in this event -- The Air Race Classic 2005 -- and we are forever grateful for the enormous support and encouragement we have received from our families, our friends, our sponsors, the community, and every person we've met along the way.

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