by admin | Sep 14, 2015 | Air Race News
Reno, Nev. – The 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races is the world’s premier air racing event, and a new record was set today, Monday, September 14.
RECORD BROKEN:
Pilot, Tom Aberle, set a new speed record in the Biplane class in Phantom, a Modified Mong Sport, with a speed of 284.454.
Tickets for the show are still available by phone at 775-972-6663 or online at www.airrace.org. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races:
Held every September just north of Reno, the STIHL National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event attracted more than 150,000 spectators and generated more than $66 million for the region’s economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civil flight demonstrations. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit www.airrace.org.
Media Contact:
Kena Cataneso
The Glenn Group
775-686-7768
kcataneso@theglenngroup.com
by admin | Sep 4, 2015 | Air Race News
With the kickoff of the STIHL National Championship Air Races only two weeks away, there are a few highlights to consider when purchasing tickets and coming out to the Reno-Stead Airfield Sept. 16-20. Check out the event information below and mark the calendar for this year’s air race and show.
Spectators will see six classes of planes including:
- Unlimited Class – 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 miles per hour.
- Jet Class – Aero Vodochody L-39 “Albatros”jets, non-after-burning jet with less than 15 degrees of wing sweep. The Jet Class planes fly at racing speeds in excess of 500 miles per hour.
- Sport Class – Super Sport and Sport classes consist of kit-built aircrafts powered by a reciprocating engine with displacements of 650 cubic inches or fewer.
- T-6 Class – One of three different types World War II trainers: AT-6, Harvard’s, or SNJ’s. The racers who compete in this class on a 4.990-mile race course create some of the tightest competition seen at the STIHL National Championship Air Races.
- Formula One – A minimum dry empty weight of 500 pounds, non-retractable landing gear, a minimum wing area of 66 square feet, a fixed-pitch propeller constructed of either wood or composite materials and a 100 HP 200 cubic-inch Continental engine. The Formula 1 class has several races across the country throughout the year, with Reno serving as the site for their National Championship and their biggest purse. At Reno, the race course distance covers 3.1068 miles.
- Bi-Plane Class – Biplanes must have a minimum dry weight of 500 pounds, at least 30 percent of the required 75-square-foot wing area must be contained in the smaller of the two wings, non-retractable landing gear, a fixed pitch propeller, and the largest engine permitted is the 360-cubic-inch, 180 HP Lycoming engine.
Notable pilots this year include Robert “Hoot” Gibson in Strega and Steve Hinton in Voodoo, in a culmination of a years-long rivalry with wins from both planes for first and second place.
Notable military performers this year include the F-16 Viper Demo/Heritage Flight and USAFA Wings of Blue Jump Team. Notable civilian performers this year include the Breitling Jet Team, Tora Tora Tora, David Martin, Red Eagles, Falcon Demo, and B-25 Fly-by.
“This is arguably one of the most competitive fields in the history of the STIHL National Championship Air Races,” said Mike Crowell, CEO of the Air Racing Association (RARA). “Truly, with such a stacked racing field, our fans are in for an unforgettable experience.”
This year also includes an expanded Drone Zone and The Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Challenge, the famed “Big D and Bubbah”, and a bevy of individual air performances from some of today’s most talented aerial stunt pilots, including Breitling Jet Team and Tora Tora Tora.
“The Drone Zone was wildly successful with people of all ages at last year’s event. We’re thrilled to offer even more unmanned aerial vehicle opportunities this year, and it’s been a great way to get visitors excited about the event and advancements in UAV technology,” said John Agather, Chairman of the Board for RARA.
The 52nd annual National Championship Air Races is the world’s premier air racing event. Qualifying events for the race take place Sunday, Sept. 13 through Wednesday morning, Sept. 16. The races kick off Wednesday afternoon Sept. 16, and continue through Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Reno-Stead Airfield. The tentative schedule is available on www.airrace.org for a complete list of events.
Tickets are available by phone at 775-972-6663 or online at www.airrace.org. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
# # #
About the STIHL National Championship Air Races:
Held every September just north of Reno, the STIHL National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event attracted more than 150,000 spectators and generated more than $66 million for the region’s economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civil flight demonstrations. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit www.airrace.org.
Media Contact:
Kena Cataneso
The Glenn Group
775-686-7768
kcataneso@theglenngroup.com
by admin | Jun 3, 2015 | Air Race News
Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) recently received the 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. This award is based on a 5-point rating from guests on TripAdvisor. Thanks to all Reno Air Race fans and guests on TripAdvisor for this honor.
by admin | Jun 1, 2015 | Air Race News
Dear Reno Air Racing Fans:
2015 will be a pivotal year in the history of the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA). Although RARA has enjoyed a remarkable fifty plus year span of operations, the truth is that the organization has financial challenges. The tragic events of 2011 only deepened the fiscal concerns. The board of directors, the staff, and the multitude of volunteers that make sure we have a yearly event are very aware of the current state of affairs. All are working hard to make sure the STIHL National Championship Air Races survives and thrives another fifty years. After restructuring the way RARA is governed and how we conduct business, we have reduced operating expenses very significantly.
We need your support. Attendance is a key factor for our success. This year’s show will be very entertaining. As always, we will feature six competitive race classes flying in a closed pylon contest that is the fastest motor sport in the world. Thanks to a very generous contribution we have managed to secure the performance of the Commemorative Air Force’s Tora, Tora, Tora group. This multi airplane, pyrotechnic show features a powerful history lesson as we celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the end of World War II. Additionally the Breitling Jet Team will be coming to Reno for the very first time performing their seven ship aerobatic routine. There are too many acts to mention all. But it will be fun and different.
The future looks very bright for RARA when we contemplate 2016 and beyond. We have been selected for a performance by the Blue Angels which is always a crowd favorite and a guaranteed increase in attendance. We have also been in numerous discussions about televising the Races in some fashion. Potential sponsors have expressed interest in pursuing this option. We have an amazing organization that is a national treasure. Together we will build the future.
Race On!
John Agather – Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mike Major – Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Directors
by admin | May 27, 2015 | Air Race News
Volunteers opportunities at 2015 National Championship Air Races
Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), newly appointed as a 501(c)(3), will hold a volunteer fair on Sat. June 6 at Pinocchio’s Bar & Grill at 5995 S. Virginia from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the 2015 National Championship Air Races held every Sept. at the Reno Stead Airport.
The fair will be in the upper level of Pinocchio’s and feature seven tables for different volunteer opportunities. Interested parties will be able to discuss volunteer jobs with RARA representatives at each table and apply for positions.
2015 National Championship Air Race volunteer opportunities include:
Office Volunteer
Office volunteers will help prepare for race week in the RARA office by assisting with answering phones, filing and organizing credential packets. During race week, office volunteers will help man the front desk window and phones to help answer questions and additional credential requests. Requirements include office experience, exceptional customer service, communication skills, organization, good in stressful situations and computer skills. Must be available pre-race and race week.
Military Display
Volunteers with experience and aircraft background will assist with wing walking, moving barricades, handle chalks and other small tasks that do not involve driving or operating equipment during race week. Some running of lunch and beverage and cleanup may be involved. Big days included set up on Tuesday and Wednesday of race week, helping receive aircraft Wednesday and Thursday and breaking down the area Monday following race week. Wings of Blue will also be looking for volunteers, such as ROTC to help catch chutes when they land.
Pylon Judges
For those new to judging this will require being available during Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) June 17-20 as well as race week. Volunteers will then be encouraged to roam the pit to learn race numbers and paint schemes as well as join the judges at the pylons to learn operations. Pylon judges record race numbers, pylon cuts, forced cuts and any pilot comments. Pylon judges also control final access to the race courses.
Security
Security volunteers perform a number of functions that are essential to the safety and success of the STIHL National Championship Air Races. Volunteers staff ticket gates and perform bag checks to help prevent people from bringing prohibited items into the event. They staff the entrances to reserved and box seating to check for guest tickets and answer questions. Ramp and pit row volunteers monitor vehicle and foot traffic from the pit and crowd areas onto the ramp, answer questions and monitor for safety violations. Volunteers at vehicle gates check to ensure that only authorized vehicles and persons are permitted onto the grounds.
Full descriptions and applications will be available at airrace.org for those unable to make it.
Tickets are now on sale for the 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races held Sept. 16-20, 2015 at the Reno Stead Airport. For more information or to volunteer visit: https://airrace.org.
by admin | Mar 17, 2015 | Air Race News
Our new online merchandise store is open! Please check back frequently as we will be adding more items soon. If you are looking for something you don’t see, please call us in the office for assistance. 775-972-6663
