by Jordan Hanhilammi | Feb 7, 2025 | Air Race News, featured
The skies over Roswell, New Mexico, are set to come alive with the thrill of air racing as the National Championship Air Races prepares for an exciting new season. In a pivotal gathering on January 14th, Class Presidents, FAA partners, and leaders of the Roswell community convened to map out the future of this beloved event.
A Visionary Venue: Roswell Air Center
The expansive 82-acre event layout at Roswell Air Center promises a world-class experience. Highlights include:
- Enhanced parking facilities will accommodate over 400 transient aircraft.
- Up to 500 RV dry camping spots for fans and teams.
- Dedicated emergency access routes and operational zones prioritizing safety and convenience.
Showcasing Roswell’s Unique Charm
Dynamic marketing campaigns are in the works to highlight not just the adrenaline-pumping races, but also the vibrant culture of Roswell and southeastern New Mexico. This event is shaping up to be more than a race—it’s a celebration of community, speed, and skill.
Rental Car Providers Gear Up for Event Demand
Event attendees flying into Roswell can look forward to ample transportation options as two of the airport’s main rental car providers, Enterprise/National and Avis/Budget, have pledged their support. Both companies are committed to ensuring sufficient rental cars are available to accommodate the influx of visitors for the National Championship Air Races. While final details are still being ironed out, early indications suggest a positive outlook, with these major providers actively working to meet the increased demand.
Ticket Availability
There are a few key issues with the grandstands that are impacting the ticketing process. Due to changes in ADA compliance codes, the grandstand can no longer be built with 32 seats across each row. The new limit is 17 seats per row, which will impact the seat numbering and placement vs. the previous facility. Our team is working to create a new seat map that accounts for these changes; it is a time-consuming and tricky process to get right, and once we have the new map worked out we will begin getting our tickets online for purchase.
Building a Strong Foundation with Community andFAA Support
The City of Roswell, led by Mayor Tim Jennings, has extended an enthusiastic welcome to the air racing community, as have county and state officials. Collaborative efforts between all levels New Mexico governement and FAA representatives aim to ensure safety, efficiency, and the unforgettable excitement fans have come to expect.
Innovative Planning for Seamless Experiences
Director Bobbi Thompson unveiled a carefully designed site plan that emphasizes functionality and excitement. Features include upgraded facilities for pilot registration, media operations, and streamlined transportation solutions, ensuring every aspect of the event runs smoothly.
Early Flights Ignite Enthusiasm
The excitement reached new heights as the first pilots took to the skies over the newly designed racecourse, offering a glimpse of the action to come. These early flights underscore the potential for a groundbreaking season ahead.
by Jordan Hanhilammi | Jan 23, 2025 | Air Race News, Media, Scholarships
Earlier today we learned that one of our amazing scholarship recipients, Zeus Wesley, is now a private pilot!
Check out what Great Basin Aviation has to say about Zeus!
“Today, the skies bowed once again to the thunderous talent of Zeus Wesley, who has officially earned his private pilot license! Like the Greek god Zeus, known for commanding the heavens, Zeus Wesley has proven himself a master of the skies. His journey to this milestone has been nothing short of legendary, marked by determination, hard work, and of course the incredible support of the Reno Air Race Association scholarship. Balancing school, flight training, and personal life is no small feat, but Zeus tackled each challenge with the grace of a true Olympian. From mastering the written exam to skillfully flying the airplane, he has shown unwavering dedication to his craft. With every flight, Zeus has harnessed the power of the winds, earning his place among the aviation elite. A thunderous congratulations goes out to Zeus and his flight instructor, Shane Smith, whose expert guidance has been instrumental in shaping this exceptional pilot. As Zeus soars into this new chapter, the horizon holds endless possibilities for him. Let’s give a sky-high round of applause to this incredible achievement—Zeus Wesley, pilot of the heavens, is officially ready to rule the skies!”
Congratulations Zeus on this awesome accomplishment!
by Jordan Hanhilammi | Dec 18, 2024 | Air Race News
Dear Air Racing Fans,
This past week at the annual International Council of Air Shows convention, we took some time to sit with National Championship Air Races Chairman, Dr. Fred Telling, to discuss some big picture details about the upcoming races that will be taking place September 10-14, 2025, at Roswell Air Center.
We’re excited to share this video with you, which helps answer some of your questions about how Roswell was chosen, and what progress is being made toward the return of Air Racing.
Click below for the full message from Dr. Telling, and keep an eye for more updates coming soon!
VIEW VIDEO
by Jordan Hanhilammi | Dec 6, 2024 | Air Race News, Media, Scholarships
We are excited to share that one of our 2024 scholarship winners, Maks Barger recently earned his Private Pilot License!
Check out what Great Basin Aviation shared with us about Maks.
“Batter up! Maks Barger has stepped onto the field and knocked his checkride out of the park by earning his Private Pilot License! This aviation all-star has been putting in the work to climb the ranks. With the Reno Air Race Association scholarship backing him, Maks brought his A-game to every lesson, demonstrating focus and determination worthy of a true pro. Whether it was mastering steep turns or drilling in his ground knowledge, Maks approached each challenge like a seasoned player, making it clear he was destined for the majors of aviation. When Maks isn’t acing his flight training, you can find him playing baseball (could you tell?), grinding out his schoolwork, or enjoying a good burger. With all this said, no champion achieves greatness alone. Let’s give a huge shoutout to Maks’s instructor, Ryan Mill, for being the ultimate coach, guiding him through every inning of his training and ensuring he was ready to crush his checkride. Maks, you’ve proven that when you step up to the plate, it’s a guaranteed home run. Congratulations on this incredible achievement—you’ve earned it! Now, take a victory lap at pattern altitude, because the skies are your new ballpark.”
Congratulations, Maks!
by admin | Nov 29, 2024 | Air Race News, Media
In search of special gifts for the special people in your life? We got you!
Hoping to save some money on those special gifts as well? WE GOT YOU!
Our Merch Store is open and ready for you to shop an assortment of clothing, posters, pins and more! And that’s not all…
For a limited time, we are offering 40% OFF the entire collection! So take a look at all we have available, get the coupon code, and secure some incredible gifts for the holiday season at an amazing price!
by Jordan Hanhilammi | Nov 27, 2024 | Air Race News, Media, Scholarships
Support is the backbone of everything we do.
Our fans and volunteers support us.
We support our community.
The racing teams support each other.
Our history supports our future.
While we are in the midst of an incredibly large-scale transition to a new location, the people at the helm are still the same caring and tireless team dedicated to making tomorrow a better day for our Air Racing community and the aviation world as a whole.
With that said, the goal for a better tomorrow does require financial resources to make it work. And because of that, we hope that this coming Giving Tuesday (December 3rd), you will consider giving to our organization.
You can rest assured that your hard-earned dollars will go directly to causes you can be proud of. Areas for donation include:
General Fund (our current area of greatest need)
STEM Education Programs
Flight Training Scholarships
Military families attending the Air Races
Thank you for your consideration in giving and in sharing our message. We are grateful every day to be cheered on by the greatest fans in the world. Please know that we don’t take your support for granted. It’s an essential part of building a better tomorrow.
