September 17, 2007
ROLLS-ROYCE RECOGNIZES WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE INVITATIONAL
Chantilly, VA. - Rolls-Royce was joined by a number of aviation heroes to recognize the winners of the Western Regional of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational held in conjunction with the Reno National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada.
Bill Wiemann's beautiful P-51D based in Alpine, WY received the coveted Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy for 2007 as the overal winner at the Invitational. The Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washingtion Dulles International Airport in Virginia. This P-51D also won the Hap Arnold Trophy for the best military aircraft.
Steve Marini's beautiful Spartan Executive, one of 34 originally built, by popular vote won the People's Choice trophy and was awarded the Paul E. Garber trophy for best classic aircraft.
Bruce McElhoe's very rare Travel Air 4-D was awarded the Orville and Wilbur Wright trophy for best antique aircraft. It is the only Travel Air 4-D flying.
The National Aviation Heritage Invitational encourages preservation of aviation history through the restoration of aircraft to original flying condition. The Invitational is a joint effort under the partnership of Rolls-Royce North America, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Reno Air Racing Foundation and was founded in 1998. A five-member panel, including representatives of the National Air and Space Museum, judges each aircraft on its technical merit and how well it represents the aircraft early in its career. Authenticity to the original manufacturer's condition is the "gold standard" for each plane.
For further information please contact:
Ginny Person
Corporate Communications
Rolls-Royce North America Inc.
Tel 703-621-2764
Fax 703-709-6087
Email: ginny.person@rolls-royce.com
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