Aspire to Inspire
Reno Air Race Final Race........
March 2023
Open Letter to Our Loyal Fans
To our loyal fans and our passionate community,
It is with heavy hearts that we write this to let you know that, after nearly 60 years of air racing in northern Nevada, 2023 will be the last National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport. While we knew this day might eventually come, we had hoped it wouldn’t come so soon. Citing the region’s significant growth amongst other concerns, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority has made the decision to sunset the event. For so many around the world, Reno has become synonymous with air racing and it is hard to imagine the National Championship Air Races gracing any other skies than those in the Sierra Nevada. However, we are committed to finding a new location so that the event can continue. In fact, we are currently exploring several other possible locations to host the event in the future but it starts with making this year’s event the biggest and most successful it can be. In essence, the future of the National Championship Air Races starts now. And, we need your help.
As we take off for one last time in Reno, we are inviting the community and race fans from all over the world to join us in sending the Reno Air Races off in style. Consider it a celebration of six decades of thrills, history, pageantry, camaraderie and family. Reno has been the event’s home for the last 59 years, and we could not leave without recognizing the community that has embraced our event and helped make it a signature event for our region. We look forward to seeing the many faces the Air Races have brought joy to over the years, as well as new ones who will get the chance to see the only racing event of its kind for the first time this year.
While we discuss the future of the Air Races, we are grateful for our time at the Reno-Stead Airport and our partnership with the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority. Our event has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for the local economy, while instilling a love for flying in the community and becoming a valued partner to many charities and non-profits. We have always been so thrilled to show off the beautiful Reno Tahoe area to the tens of thousands that flew in just for our event and we’re looking forward to doing that again this year. The support from both our community and visitors has been overwhelming, and the impact they helped us make in Reno is immeasurable.
The last National Championship Air Races in Reno will take place from September 13-17. The 2023 event is set to return with more than 150 planes and pilots as well as several ‘hands-on’ displays and experiences including the GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education Discovery Zone, heritage displays, military demonstrations and static displays and more. The event will also mark the third year of competition for the STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) Drag which has become a phenomenon in the skies. While this is our last year at this location, the Reno Air Racing Association is committed to preserving and growing this great event and developing the next generation of Air Race fans. We look forward to seeing you in September. You can save your spot now by purchasing tickets at www.AirRace.org
With much appreciation and love,
The Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors
Reno Aircraft Race Classes
Biplanes
STOL Aircraft
STOL Aircraft
Biplanes are represented by small, aerobatic aircraft like the Pitts Special, the Mong and the Smith Miniplane, gives pilots a chance to apply their skills to racing on a 3.18-mile course at speeds exceeding 200 mph.
STOL Aircraft
STOL Aircraft
STOL Aircraft
Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) Drag fly with independent spirit, STOL drag racing is purely about who stops at the finish line first. STOL drag racers fly on a designated track, about 2,000 feet in each direction, landing on or after a while chalk line. Precision and perfect timing are crucial, as any aircraft that don’t make a complete stop between runs are disqualified.
Jet Aircraft
STOL Aircraft
Formula 1 Aircraft
Jet Aircraft were inaugurated in 2002 as an invitation-only class, featuring match racing with Czech-built Aerovodochody L-39 “Albatros” jets. Today the class has opened the field by adding other aircraft such as Provost, Iskra, L-29 and DeHavilland Vampires. This class truly stands for the “Fastest Motor Sport” with speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour.
Formula 1 Aircraft
Formula 1 Aircraft
Formula 1 Aircraft
Formula 1 Planes are all powered by a Continental O-200 engine (the same 100 hp engine used in a Cessna 150). The fastest Formula 1 aircraft exceed 250 mph on the 3.12-mile race course in Reno. Many Formula 1 aircraft are built by the pilots that race them and are a relatively inexpensive way to enjoy the excitement and satisfaction of air racing.
Sport Planes
Formula 1 Aircraft
T-6 Texan Aircraft
Sport aircraft highlight the new and innovative work being done in the development of high-performance kit-built aircraft. Competition in the Sport Class is fierce, with the rapid introduction of race-driven engine and air frame technology. Sport Class aircraft race on a 6.37-mile course at speeds reaching nearly 350 mph.
T-6 Texan Aircraft
Formula 1 Aircraft
T-6 Texan Aircraft
The T-6 features racing between stock aircraft, including the original T-6 “Texan,” the Canadian-built “Harvard,” and the US Navy “SNJ” version aircraft. The fastest T-6 aircraft generally post race speeds into the 220-230 mph range on the 5.06-mile course at Reno. Because the aircraft are all of the same type, the T-6 Class provides some of the most exciting racing at Reno, with an emphasis on strategy and pilot skill rather than raw horsepower
Unlimited Aircraft
Unlimited Aircraft
Unlimited Aircraft
Unlimited Aircraft are all powered, with the exception of very few “scratch-built” aircraft, by stock or modified WWII fighters with the P-51 Mustangs, F-8F Bearcats and Hawker Sea Fury being flown most often. The Unlimited Class flies in speeds exceeding 500 mph.
Super Jet Brunette Supporters
Photo Recon
Museum of Aviation
Museum of Aviation
Photo Recon is an aviation community of photographers, aircraft enthusiasts and plane lovers. Their website is full of stories & images of our magnificent military aircraft!
Museum of Aviation
Museum of Aviation
Museum of Aviation
The Museum of Aviation has 20 aircraft on display in an open field and another 20 were in various stages of restoration, and is the 2nd largest museum in the USAF.