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 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 confident the event will 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 to send off the National Championship Air Races 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 one of our region’s signature events. 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 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.
With much appreciation and love,
The Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors
Today, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) and the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced that they have reached an agreement for 2023 to be the final year the Reno-Stead Airport will host the National Championship Air Races. The Reno Air Racing Association’s final Reno-Stead Airport event is set to take place from September 13-17 and will feature the seven classes of air racing plus extraordinary military and civilian demonstrations that fans have come to love as well as a celebration of the event’s almost 60 years in northern Nevada.
“We want to celebrate six decades of partnership, competition and airmanship which has brought our local community and aviation enthusiasts from all over the world together in this one-of-a-kind celebration of innovation and history,” said Daren Griffin, President and CEO of RTAA. “While it’s a bittersweet moment for our community and the RTAA, we are committed to working with RARA to ensure this year’s event is a tremendous success as we close this historic chapter for the event in northern Nevada.”
The National Championship Air Races are a one-of-a-kind event that has called northern Nevada home since its founding in 1964. However, RTAA’s concerns around challenging economic conditions, rapid area development, public safety and the impact on the Reno-Stead Airport and its surrounding areas are some of the contributing factors towards the final year of the National Championship Air Races.
“The National Championship Air Races have become synonymous with Reno and, while we are disappointed that this will mark our final year at the Reno-Stead Airport, we are proud the past ten Air Race events have attracted more than one million spectators, generated more than $750 million for the local economy and contributed significant aviation related education and outreach to schools and non-profits all around the area,” said Fred Telling, chairman and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. “We are thankful to the RTAA for the opportunity to celebrate and share this event’s storied history with the community and their commitment to work with us to make this year’s event one of the best ever. We are in discussions with other venues to explore our options to continue the National Championship Air Races well into the future. We hope to see all of our dedicated fans and many new and familiar faces at the event later this year.”
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 both in the skies and on social media. To learn more about the event’s final year or purchase tickets, visit https://airrace.org.
Following on the success of our inaugural year for offering aviation scholarships, the Reno Air Racing Association will be opening the application window for 2023 in early February. We’d like to congratulate our 2022 RARA Scholarship Squadron for their accomplishments, and look forward to introducing you to our next group of RARA Scholars! Please visit www.airrace.org/ for more details!
UAV/UAS Certification FREE for military, first responders, high school students and educators
Global Robot and Drone Deployment (GRADD), the Nevada Business Aviation Association (NVBAA) and Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) have been partners for the successful GRADD-NVBAA STEM Discovery Zone at the STIHL National Championship Air Races since 2015. In addition to their work in STEM education, did you know that NVBAA offers FAA Part 107 Pilot Training? In fact, the training if FREE if you fall into one of these categories:
Military veterans and their families,
Public safety officers, and
High school educators / high school students
The world of UAV/UAS is expanding exponentially every day, and there is a tremendous need for qualified operators. There is no better time to get your FAA Part 107 certification and join this amazing world! NVBAA’s summer LIVE 9-week instructor-led webinar training series begins July 2nd. Fun and informative, this is a series that will fully prepare you for your Part 107 written exam. A 31 question interactive quiz is even included at the conclusion of each Saturday’s training calls to review the content of the day. Attend NVBAA’s weekly training calls, complete their online course and you’re guaranteed to pass the FAA Part 107 Exam! Here is what you’ll learn during the series:
Schedule of Events
Sept 3 – FAA 14 CFR Part 107 Rules & Regulations
Sept 10 – National Airspace System (NAS) & Aeronautical Charts
Sept 10 – Workshop – Demystifying Aeronautical Charts (starts immediately after the regular Part 107 training session)
Sept 17 – Aviation Weather Sources
Sept 24 – Loading and Performance
Oct 1 – Crew Resource Management
Oct 8 – Airport and Field Operations
Oct 15 – Radio Communication and Emergency Procedures
Oct 22 – Pre-flight, FAA Authorizations and Waiver Requests
Oct 22 – Workshop – How to Make Money, Get Gigs & Full-time Jobs as a Part 107 Pilot (starts immediately after the regular Part 107 training session)
Oct 29 – FAA New Rules -Final Kahoot Competition
Don’t wait – click the links below to sign up for one of the best FAA Part 107 training programs in the business:
Pilots Revealed for 2022 STIHL National Championship Air Races
RENO, Nev. (July 29, 2022) – The field is set for this year’s STIHL National Championship Air Races with 152 planes and 156 pilots racing for glory Sept. 14-18 just north of downtown Reno, Nev.
Hours of preparation, certification and practice brings one of the largest fields of racers to the outdoor event. This year boasts an exciting and competitive Unlimited field with Czech Mate returning from a five-year hiatus to square off against three time reigning champion Dreadnought and fan-favorite Miss America for a chance to raise the Unlimited Gold Trophy. BARDAHL Special, a P51 that finished second overall at the very first Reno Air Races in 1964, while winning the Unlimited finale, will also be returning to Stead for the first time since 1967.
In the Biplane class, fans will get to root for Maj. Michael Brewer, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird who flew on the demonstration team from 2018–2022 as both Thunderbird No. 3 and Thunderbird No. 4. While performing at the Air Races in 2019 and 2021, Maj. Brewer had the opportunity to experience the unique and exhilarating atmosphere and this year is making his race debut in No. 44, Big Cat.
2022 will also mark the second year of competition for the event’s newest racing class, STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) Drag, with 21 competitors looking to take home the championship in the sport that has become a social media phenomenon.
Fans will see demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, U.S. Navy Legacy Flight, Jim Peitz Aerosports and the GB-1 Gamebird. On the ground fans will get to experience the National Aviation Heritage Invitational, Military Static Display, GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education Discovery Zone, the racing pits where fans can get up close and personal with the pilots, planes and crew, and much more.
Unlimited
0
Span Can
Mark Moodie
3
BARDAHL Special
Steven Coutches
4
Sweet & Lovely
Jeff LaVelle
6
Shanty Irish
John J. Dowd, Jr.
8
Dreadnought
Joel Swager
11
Miss America
Brent Hisey
26
Rushin’ Thunder
Scotty Crandlemire
27
Race 27
John Maloney
31
Speedball Alice
Dan Vance
44
Blondie
Brant Seghetti
49
Lady B
Michael Pfleger
55
Man O’ War
Ken Gottschall
62
BUNNY
Tom Nightingale
63
Pretty Polly
Patrick Nightingale
81
Wee Willy II
Rob Patterson
86
Czech Mate
Sherman G. Smoot
114
Argonaut
Dennis Sanders
924
924
Mark Watt
PACE
PaceMaker
Steve Hinton
Alt pilots not already flying
John Muszala Jr.
Jet
6
Sluggo
Matt Conklin
7
Red Thunder
Alexandre Eckmann
8
Race 8
David Sterling
11
IVAN
Jerry “Jive” Kerby
23
Vertigo
Joe “Face Punch” Swindel
24
Just Lucky
Peter A. Zaccagnino
29
Ballista
Aaron Hogue
35
Honeywell
Michael W. McCauley
54
Robin 1
Jeff Turney
55
Spirit of Freedom
Nathan Harnagel
61
Miss Independence
Charlie Camilleri
73
Subito
Cyrill Wipfli
77
Viper
Peter Stravides
84
Tumbling Goose
Scott Gusakov
129
Race 129
Mark Davis
139
DarkStar
Dianna Stanger
777
Red Thunder II
Alexandre Eckmann
PACE 555
Phoenix
Michael Steiger
PACE
Jet Pace
Jay Obernolte
Alt pilots not already flying
Tammy Camilleri
Rick Vandam
Craig Wilcockson
Mark Johnson
Biplane
3
Smokin’ Hot
Sam Swift
4
Ruby
Jeffrey Rose
6
Miss Diane
Dave Holmgren
13
Miss Gianna
Jeffrey Lo
17
Yellow Fever
Eric Zine
18
RB Special
John A. D’Alessandris
23
Red Squirrel
Andrew McVicker
25
Shake N’ Bake
Tommy Suell
29
Toto
Dennis K. Brown
44
Big Cat
Michael Brewer
66
Second Hand
Scott Thomson
80
The Other Woman
David Roelofs
84
Panther
Alan D. Hoover
247
Slow Roll
Scott McDonald
314
Flip Flop
Scott Prewitt
711
Two Armed Bandit
Tom Marden
11X
Red Lady
Robert Schmidle
7X
Racer X
Patrick McGarry
Formula 1
9
Outlaw
Scott Holmes
11
Endeavor
Steve Senegal
17
Annie
Pushkraj “Push” Wagh
21
Black Jack
Joshua Watson
26
Fast and Easy
Paul E. Newman
27
Once More
Kent S. Jackson
31
Fraed Naught
Steve Temple
34
Limitless
Justin Meaders
39
Monkey Ninja
JP O’Dell
45
QuadNickel
Jake Speidel
48
Atomic Pumpkin
Blaire Hamilton
52
Feisty
Trent Woodworth
72
The ACME Special
Matt Moore
74
Phat Ass Cass
Shaun Milke
79
No Strings Attached
Justin Phillipson
81
Sleeper
Carl Robinson
85
Deja Vu
Eric Dienst
99
What Airplane Honey?
Timothy Cone
Sport
2
Modo Mio
Vince Walker
3
Mojo
Sean E. VanHatten
4
Race 4
Tom McNerney
6
Ramp Rat’s Ride
Joseph Coraggio
9
Cruz Missile
Mike Rinker
10
Practice
Timothy Slater
15
Lucky Girl
Vicky Benzig
22
Greenstreak
Richard Vandam
24
Grimlins Castle
Jim Rust
28
Coming In Hot
Peter A. Zaccagnino
30
One Moment
Andrew Findlay
34
White Lightning
John Flanagan
36
Sport 36
Paul Downing
39
Race 39
Jeff LaVelle
40
Race 40
Mark Johnson
49
Rocket Six
Bob Mills
51
Clas Thunder One
Mathias Haid
54
Navy 8
Steve Senegal
56
Bad Dingo
George Catalano
60
Miss’d Tuesday
Delton (Dee) Child
66
Just Pass’n Thru
Ernie O. Sutter
67
Swiss Thunder II
Peter Balmer
68
BowersPony
Elliot Seguin
76
Race 76
Jason Rovey
80
Miss Ruby S
Skylor Piper
90
Breathless
Conrad Huffstutler
92
Summer Hawk
David Robinson
96
Sarah Smile
William Christopher McMillian
101
General Lee
Lee Ulrich
130
Zebulon
Olivier Langeard
150
BearDog
Johnnie Painter
181
GA1
Karl Grove
270
WHISKY TANGO
Dan West
314
Phantom Rocket
Scott Prewitt
744
Millennial Falcon
Tommy Ishii
777
Guardian Angel
Matt Ramsey
PACE #17
Calamity Jane
Christopher Schaich
PAGE #69
Pace 69
Malte Bruegmann
Alt pilots not already flying
Ralf Aue
STOL
3
Lawn Mower III
Harold Stockman
7
Yellow Thunder
Bruce Graham
11
Grasshopper
David Kerley
15
The Happy Dog
Brent Womack
17
FlyTruckeeTahoe
Kevin Sloane
21
Red Rocket
Kevin Palmer
22
Race 22
Ty Ferkin
22
The Beast
Jeff Whiteley
27
Spirit of Louis
Harry Beaupre
43
Doc
Collin Caneva
44
Yee Haw 6
Steve Henry
45
Bumblebee
Andrew Patry
48
Devil Girl
Eddie Sanches
53
Race 53
Joseph “Joe” Dory
63
God Bless John Wayne
Tony Sanches
66
Big Tuna
Jon Hakala
73
Psycho Billy
Tim Schelhorn
80
ECHO
William “Bo” Ellis
84
Herf, Heff, El Toro
Aaron Greear
85
LuncaC
Cathy Page
221
Scooter
Brian Steck
T-6
2
Bare Essentials
Chris LaFave
4
Emily
Craig Meyer
5
Big Red
Gordo Sanders
6
Six-Cat
Nick S. Macy
13
War Cat
Brian Reberry
14
Barons Revenge
Chris Rushing
21
Play Hard
Ben York III
25
Vicarious
Jason Karlin
43
Midnight Miss III
Joel Stinnett
49
Miss Ellaneous
Bill Muszala
50
Abracadabra
Vitaly Pecherskyy
66
Gunslinger
Vic McMann
69
Eros
Lee Oman
73
Miss Humboldt Hunny
Loren Marburg
88
Radial Velocity
John S. Lohmar
89
Baby Boomer
Gene McNeely
90
Undecided
Greg McNeely
PACE
PACE 1
Rob Sandberg
Alt pilots not already flying
Michael Pfleger
Rick Siegfried
*Racer list is subject to change. **Italicized and bolded entries are 2021 Gold Champions. Plane and pilot may be different this year or 2021 champion may not be in the field.
Qualifying begins Monday, Sept. 12 and racing begins Wednesday, Sept. 14. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 1-800-514-3849 ahead of the event. For more information, visit AirRace.org.
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About the National Championship Air Races
The National Championship Air Races are held every September just north of Reno by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world with seven racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact studies show that the event generates
