by admin | Sep 16, 2020 | Media
STIHL National Championship Air Races Jet Class will reschedule
RENO, Nev. (Sept. 16, 2020) – Due to thick smoke blanketing the Reno-Tahoe area Saturday’s Jet Class flyby has been postponed to a later date.
“Many members of our team are from out of the area and are unable to fly in due to the smoke, that coupled with the potential that the smoke may still be here Saturday has forced us to postpone the flyby,” said Jeff Turney, Jet Class past President and founding member of jet racing at the STIHL National Championship Air Races. “Our team is still determined to make this happen when it is safe to do so and we’ll let you know as soon as we have a new date.”
The Jet Class members, in coordination with the Reno Air Racing Association and the FAA, had planned to do an hour-long flyby over Reno, Sparks and Carson City on Saturday, Sept. 19 as a nod to the local community and their “September family” on what would have been race weekend.
Next year’s STIHL National Championship Air Races is scheduled for Sept. 15–19, just 20 minutes north of downtown Reno. As a non-profit the Reno Air Racing Association relies on ticket purchases and donations to host the annual event, with the 2020 air races canceled they are asking for the community’s support. Tax deductible donations can be made at AirRace.org.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit AirRace.org or call (775) 972-6663.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races
The STIHL 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 as much as $91.7 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer, be a vendor or purchase tickets visit AirRace.org.
by admin | Sep 10, 2020 | Media
STIHL National Championship Air Races Jet Class Plan Flyby in Reno, Sparks and Carson City
RENO, Nev. (Sept. 10, 2020) – In any other year, members of the Jet Class would be racing, head-to-head around the pylons at Reno-Stead Airport. And while the races were canceled this year due to COVID-19 concerns, members of the Jet Class are gathering for a flyby as a nod to the local community and their “September family.”
“This has been a tough year and even though the races are cancelled we wanted to find a way to let the community know we were thinking about them that week,” said Jeff Turney, Jet Class past President and founding member of jet racing at the STIHL National Championship Air Races. “We miss seeing the fans and want to let them know we aren’t going anywhere; we can’t wait for 2021.”
The flight will take approximately one hour and will feature aerial smoke making the group highly visible as they fly over select locations. The aircraft will be low enough to be easily photographed, while remaining compliant with FAA regulations.
The Jet Class is one of seven race classes at the STIHL National Championship Air Races and considered to be the fastest aircraft. Inaugurated in the 2002 National Championship Air Races 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.
Next year’s STIHL National Championship Air Races is scheduled for Sept. 15–19, just 20 minutes north of downtown Reno. As a non-profit the Reno Air Racing Association relies on ticket purchases and donations to host the annual event, with the 2020 air races cancelled they are asking for the community’s support. Tax deductible donations can be made at AirRace.org.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit AirRace.org or call (775) 972-6663.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races
The STIHL 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 as much as $91.7 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer, be a vendor or purchase tickets visit AirRace.org.
by admin | Jun 26, 2020 | Media
Reno Air Racing Association Sets Sights on 2021 Event
RENO, Nev. (June 26, 2020)– The Reno Air Racing Association has announced the cancellation of the 2020 STIHL National Championship Air Races originally scheduled for Sept. 16–20.
The Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors reiterated their principal concern for the safety and health of all involved and in light of continuing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and government-imposed restrictions for large scale events has decided to turn all efforts to 2021.
“This decision was not made lightly. It’s difficult to capture the sadness we feel for our September Family who we won’t have the chance to see this year. However, we need to approach this with safety for all involved as our highest priority,” said Fred Telling, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. “We recognize and appreciate the great responsibilities Nevada’s government leaders bear as they weigh health concerns against economic well-being for Nevada as a whole. With the June 24th announcement that the state of Nevada will remain under Phase Two guidelines for the foreseeable future we cannot feasibly move forward with planning our event.”
Recently, the University of Nevada, Reno conducted an economic impact study of the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races which found that the event hosts nearly 70,000 total unique attendees generating over $100 million in total economic impact to the Reno-Tahoe region by non-local visitors. The Reno Air Racing Association remains proud to offer free entry day for military members and veterans as well as inspire the next generation through STEM education giving more than 7,000 students free entry to experience the GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education Discovery Zone at the races each year.
“We are deeply conscious of the cultural and economic loss to the community due to the cancellation of so many special events this year. We look forward to hosting the 57th STIHL National Championship Air Races Sept. 15–19, 2021 but know we will need the continuing support of our fans and community more than ever,” said Telling.
According to Tony Logoteta, COO of the Reno Air Racing Association, many considerations were factored in to making the decision to cancel this year’s event. Besides the uncertainty around the state of the pandemic in September and safely hosting a large event in that climate, they took a hard look at the long-term ramifications.
“Beyond health and safety, our primary focus has to be the long-term viability of this iconic event rather than a high-risk gamble on the current year,” said Logoteta. “It’s been a challenging year for everyone and we have seen the financial effects across all revenue streams. It’s time for us to take a step back and assess our situation so that we can work toward ensuring the future of air racing beginning in 2021.”
According to Logoteta the organization saw an 80% overall decrease in revenue from March to June 2020 compared to 2019. As a 501(c)(3), the Reno Air Racing Association relies on donations, in addition to ticket sales, sponsorships, concessions and merchandise sales to host the event.
“We typically have a no refund policy on tickets because they are so essential to our ongoing operating income but given the circumstances, we will be providing more options for those who have already purchased tickets,” said Logoteta. “With that being said we are hoping that patrons will rollover their ticket purchases to the 2021 event or, if they are able, donate this year’s purchase as a tax-deductible contribution to help keep the Reno Air Races alive.”
The Reno Air Racing Association is asking that ticket holders submit their preference online by July 15, 2020. Requests will be collected and evaluated, and processing will begin later in July. If no request is made the purchase will automatically rollover to the 2021 event. Please visit AirRace.org to learn more.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races
The STIHL 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 as much as $100 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer, be a vendor or purchase tickets visit AirRace.org.
by admin | Jun 9, 2020 | Media
An update from the Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors and its Chairman
Like you, we have been closely monitoring the developments around the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We first want to thank all of the essential workers who have sustained our communities throughout this pandemic and send a huge thank you to the medical professionals who are on the frontlines of this virus every day. We are pleased to see communities slowly coming back to life in as safe a manner as possible while getting people back to work and allowing businesses to reopen. None the less, the extraordinary number of events that have already canceled and businesses that have been closed in an effort to keep citizens safe are unprecedented.
As always, the safety of our fans, pilots, crews, staff and volunteers continues to be our number one priority. As such, we are evaluating the myriad of different factors in order to host a safe event for all concerned. Guidelines for outdoor gatherings from the state of Nevada and CDC, social distancing and PPE requirements, sponsor participation, air travel, hotel availability, and our fans’ comfort in attending all factor into what the 57th STIHL National Championship Air Races will look like. We are hopeful the steps that are being collectively taken now to stop the spread of COVID-19 will allow us to host another world-class event this September, but the challenges cannot be overstated.
To enable everyone to plan appropriately, the Board of Directors will make a decision regarding the 57th STIHL National Championship Air Races by the end of June, even though we know many factors may still be uncertain.
Please continue to check back here for any updates or follow us on our social media channels.
Thank you for supporting the world’s fastest motorsport!
Sincerely,
Fred Telling
CEO & Chairman
by admin | Apr 17, 2020 | Media
RENO, Nev. (April 17, 2020) – The annual “Rookie School” for the STIHL National Championship Air Races has been rescheduled for Sept. 9–12, 2020. The Reno Air Racing Association’s Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) was previously scheduled for June 10–13.
“Notwithstanding the initial signs of progress in the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that the safety and health of our racers, their crews, our volunteers and staff are paramount and that rescheduling these training and recurrent practice sessions to September is in everyone’s best interests,” said Fred Telling, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. “The uncertainty surrounding the safety of gatherings over ten people as well as travel restrictions in less than two months has led us to proactively adjust our plans to provide the participants time to adjust theirs.”
By moving PRS to early September, just prior to the planned 57th STIHL National Championship Air Races, organizers hope the burden on the new racers and those who return to practice is diminished and they will have more time to assess the situation as it evolves.
For pilots interested in PRS, the Reno Air Racing Association is extending the deadline for applications and all documents to June 30. Applications for the 2020 STIHL National Championship Air Races will be available June 15 and should be submitted by July 15.
The 2020 STIHL National Championship Air Races, set for Sept. 16–20, are just 20 minutes north of downtown Reno. For more information visit AirRace.org or call (775) 972-6663.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races
The STIHL 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 as much as $91.7 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer, be a vendor or purchase tickets visit AirRace.org.
by admin | Mar 30, 2020 | Media
A message to our Air Racing community.
Like you, we’re closely following the developments around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We’ve seen many events canceled and businesses closed in an effort to keep our communities safe. We’re grateful for all of the medical professionals and first responders who are working non-stop during this unprecedented time, and are optimistic that these efforts will help see us through this difficult challenge.
We are closely monitoring the pandemic, and are exploring every option to put on a safe event. As of April 14 we are cautiously optimistic that we will be having the event in September but the safety of our fans, pilots, crews, and volunteers are our number one priority meaning that the safest course may be to postpone or cancel the event. We’re hopeful that the steps that are being collectively taken to stop the spread of COVID-19 will allow us to bring you another great year of head-to-head racing, amazing performances and exciting on-the-ground exhibits.
Please check back here for any updates.
Thank you for supporting the world’s fastest motorsport, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the Air Races this September!
Sincerely,
Fred Telling
CEO & Chairman
