MOVING FROM HOLLISTER, MAY 2009
Welcome to the Dago Red active news and briefing column. We’ll use this space to keep Dago’s loyal fans up to speed on what’s happening. When we built Dago Red we had no fans or supporters, and no sponsors who would bet on a rookie airplane. What we had, which ultimately proved to be much more important, was the opportunity to build a race plane and the dedication and passion to build it no matter what it took. As we went about that task, fans, supporters, volunteers, and eventually sponsors, rose to the occasion and made the difference between success and failure for the project.
From that point forward Dago Red claimed her own place in history, and a special place in the hearts of those who know her for what she is, “An American Icon,” simply the fastest piston powered machine on the planet. She is the product of the “little guy,” not huge corporations or aerospace giants or wealthy investors, but the guy who astounds the world by rolling “the best America has to offer” out of his garage. Those are the people who have all helped make her what she is.
In Hollister - prior to transport
I had mixed emotions driving up to Hollister to pick up Dago Red. I was elated to be getting the plane back after 22 years, and at the same time very sad for Dan Martin and the Hollister boys. If anyone can understand and appreciate how hard they worked and how motivated they were it’s me.
More photos in Hollister
Dan met us at the hangar. We spent the next 20 minutes talking as Dan tried his best to tell me everything they had done to the plane.
Being the gentleman he is, he asked if he could help in any way, and then worked furiously for 2 days to help us break Dago down and load her on the trucks. Air racers are great people.
The last step was removing the fuselage from the wings!
My deepest thanks and appreciation to all of you, who have owned, operated and supported Dago Red over the years. “Finest Vintage Racing,” Steve Crawford, David Passannante, Jim Blakey and myself are honored to be the custodians of the world’s fastest racer. Our goal is to bring Dago Red into the 21st century.
Frank Taylor
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