As the National Championship Air Races settle into their new home in Roswell, NM, a chorus of online commentators has begun asking the same question: “If the races moved, why hasn’t the Reno Air Racing Association changed its name to the Roswell Air Racing Association?”

It’s a fair question — but the answer is far more practical, strategic, and future-focused than many realize.

1. RARA Is a Federally Recognized 501(c)(3) — and Changing the Name Isn’t Simple

The Reno Air Racing Association is a long-standing 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Changing the legal name of a nonprofit corporation involves more than swapping out stationery:

• Formal amendments to articles of incorporation
• Refiling with the IRS and state authorities
• Potential delays or complications in grant eligibility, banking, and legacy donor agreements
• Brand continuity issues tied to nearly 60 years of history

In short: a legal name change for a 501(c)(3) is a major undertaking with significant administrative consequences. For an organization currently focused on rebuilding the National Championship Air Races in a new location, the time and cost simply do not offer meaningful benefit.

2. RARA’s Home Office Is Still in Reno — by Design

Although the air races have moved to Roswell, the Reno Air Racing Association continues to operate from Reno for a reason: infrastructure.

RARA’s staff, organizational systems, administrative records, financial management, and decades-deep community partnerships are all based in Reno. This is the headquarters — the operational center of gravity.

There is no requirement that a nonprofit’s name match the location of a particular event it produces. Many national event organizations maintain headquarters in one city while operating major events in others.

RARA is no different.

3. RARA Manages More Than Just One Event — Including Future NCAR-Sanctioned Races Across the U.S.

One of the biggest misunderstandings online is the belief that “RARA” must correspond to a single city. In reality, RARA is the managing entity for the National Championship Air Races, not a local Roswell-only organization.

Yes, NCAR has relocated to Roswell — but RARA’s scope is expanding, not shrinking.

Plans are already underway for additional NCAR-sanctioned aviation and racing events in other parts of the country, including emerging opportunities in states such as Kentucky. These events will all be managed by RARA from its Reno headquarters, just as many companies operate events, franchises, or divisions nationwide while retaining their original corporate name. Indeed, just last year the organization put on the first ever airshow-only event in Reno – The Reno Airshow.

Changing the organization’s name to match one host city would undermine the national vision that is unfolding.

4. The “Reno Air Racing Association” Name Honors a Legacy — While Supporting a National Future

The name RARA carries nearly 60 years of history, achievement, and goodwill. It represents:

• The birthplace of modern air racing
• The community that sustained the sport for decades
• The organizational stewardship that continues to guide NCAR today

Roswell has become the exciting new home of the National Championship Air Races, but the organization behind those races — the Reno Air Racing Association — maintains its identity because that identity is bigger than any one location.

And that’s exactly what allows air racing to grow.

In Summary

RARA has not changed its name because:

• A 501(c)(3) legal name change is complex, costly, and unnecessary.
• The organization’s home office and administrative core remain in Reno.
• RARA manages national-level events, including future NCAR-sanctioned races beyond Roswell.
• Its name represents a legacy and brand that extends far beyond a geographic label.

The National Championship Air Races now soar over Roswell — and soon, perhaps other cities as well — but the Reno Air Racing Association remains the stable, experienced, nationally capable organization that makes it all possible.

The name hasn’t changed because the mission hasn’t changed: to preserve and grow the world’s fastest motorsport for generations to come.

We’re thrilled to share that merchandise from the inaugural 2025 National Championship Air Races in Roswell is NOW AVAILABLE!

Just click below to see the assortment of items to choose from, including pins and coins to carry with you, clothing to wear, and posters to hang in your home or office. Plus, legacy merchandise is also online from years past, so be sure to browse around to snag some Air Racing history while you can.

There are limited quantities available, so race on over to the online merchandise store to choose your items before they fly away!

One thing was certain when we began this new journey in Roswell, New Mexico: The City of Roswell  and the state of New Mexico were all in. Fully and completely.

The establishment of that support from the very beginning gave our team an indescribable comfort and strength in moving forward. We honestly could not have asked for anything more.

And then to see the way the surrounding cities embraced this event throughout the year, has been the icing on the cake.

We have a new home in Roswell, and are honored to be a part of the great future of New Mexico. Amazing days lay before us, but for now we exclaim a very big THANK YOU for the incredible history that’s been made already.

Today marks one month since airplanes first raced the brand new course here at Roswell Air Center. While the sites and sounds of that week still echo, we’re even more overwhelmed by the thought of how many people it took to make this event happen.

At the center of that effort is our incredible volunteer team. We were thrilled to see so many smiling faces from years past, while also welcoming in brand new volunteers from the surrounding area. The support was amazing!

Another crucial team for the Air Races is the first responders. Safety is paramount to our event, and they were prepared well in advance for the new venue and all the event entails.

Additionally, our amazing Performers, Announcers, Flight Ops Crew and Ground Ops Crew all worked together to add more fun and safety throughout the week.

And to the Race Pilots and Crew Members that participated this year, we were honored to have you with us for this historic event. Every person in attendance was excited to see you conquer the new course.

Finally, we are so thankful for our small but mighty RARA team, which has navigated this transition with a tireless effort that is appreciated beyond all measure. 

THANK YOU to all of you that put time and energy into making sure this event ran as smoothly as possible for everyone in attendance. We are truly grateful.

What a special first week of Air Racing in Roswell! We are SO GRATEFUL to everyone that came out to the event. It was incredible to have such an amazing mix of those who’ve been coming for decades and others who are just now joining the September Family.

Each of you that stepped through that gorgeous new entryway can now say you were part of a truly historic event – the first ever National Championship Air Races in Roswell, New Mexico!

We know that those of you who’ve been coming to Air Races for years were probably uncertain how it would go in the new venue. And those of you who’ve never been to an Air Races were probably uncertain about what to expect. So to all of you, THANK YOU for taking the chance and joining us!

As with any major event – especially an inaugural one – there are areas that can be improved upon for the next year. But we are thrilled that the feedback in general has been so positive. We appreciate so much all that you’ve shared with us. 

More appreciation to come for all of those who helped make last week so special, but we wanted to start first and foremost with all of you that attended. We can’t wait to have you back in 2026!