INDIANAPOLIS - Pilots could not have asked for a better flight during Saturday morning's Indiana State Fair Giant Hot Air Balloon Race presented by Propane Exceptional Energy.  Pat Fogue, with his Pepsi balloon, piloted his way to a narrow victory, dropping his beanbag 6 feet 1.8 inches away from the target.

Twenty-three pilots set off from the infield at dawn. The Propane Exceptional Energy "hare" balloon led the pack to a landing spot at Riverwood Park in the Broad Ripple area.  Balloonists then dropped beanbags on a large "X," attempting to be the closest to the target. All that separated first and second place were two eighths of an inch.  

It was a close race, but the top finishers included:

 

Balloon                         Pilot                                                     Distance

1.         Pepsi                                        Pat Fogue                                             6 ft. 1 1/8 in. 

2.        --                                             Chris Smart                                          6 ft. 1 3/8 in.

3          --                                             Alvin Hansen                                        7 ft. 3 ½ in.      

4.         Remax                                      Jeff Menchhofer                                    10 ft. 6 in.

5.         --                                             Gary Tarter                                                      13 ft. 7in.

 

About Indiana State Fair

The Indiana State Fair is the state's largest multi-day event attracting more than 900,000 people annually. Nationally recognized for offering the best in entertainment, showcasing youth, interactive agriculture education programs, premiere facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair is an annual tradition for generations of Hoosiers. Admission is $7in advance, $8 at the gate - kids 5 and younger are free. For more information, please visit http://www.indianastatefair.com/. 

 

###

« Back to News Release List

Link to this event: