by admin | Jan 22, 2018 | Media
Reno Air Racing Association Announces Aerobatics Performers for
55th Annual STIHL National Championship Air Races
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is excited to release the initial list of performers for the 2018 STIHL National Championship Air Races, scheduled September 12 – 16, 2018 at the Reno-Stead Airport.
The Patriots Jet Team will headline this year’s performers. The Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco from John Klatt Air Shows will perform aerobatics, along with the Smoke ‘n Thunder Jet Truck. Demonstrations will also include the F-16 Fighting Falcon as well as an F-35 leading the Heritage Flight.
“The STIHL National Championship Air Races are very excited that the Patriots will be returning to Reno this year,” RARA COO Tony Logoteta said. “We’re also thrilled to welcome back the John Klatt and Smoke ‘n Thunder Teams as well as our military demonstrations. I hope that race fans, visitors, and spectators will be as excited about this year’s lineup as I am.”
The Patriots Jet Team is very excited to be back this year to perform at the Reno Air Races,” said Randy Howell Owner of the Patriots Jet Team. “We love the spectators, and we love the races.”
Tickets are on sale for the 55th STIHL Annual National Championship Air Races, scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information or to volunteer visit www.airrace.org.
Performer Descriptions
Patriots Jet Team: The story of the Patriots Jet Team, the largest civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the western hemisphere, began with the vision of one person, Randy Howell. Fueled by a passion for aviation since childhood, it became Howell’s mission to create a six-jet aerobatic demonstration team that could entertain, inspire and educate today’s youth.
The talented group of pilots was first assembled in 2002 by Howell. Based in Byron, CA, the Patriots Jet Team features pilots who were formerly part of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The volunteer pilots all share the same genuine passion for entertaining audiences at air shows and other events, while also encouraging the nation’s youth toward careers in the aviation and aerospace fields.
The Patriots Jet Team, unique in its kind, represents an all-encompassing blend of passion, inspiration, integrity, and professionalism, and captivates audiences from all over North America with their exhilarating aerobatic performances.
“The “Screamin’ Sasquatch” Jet Waco from John Klatt Air Shows: Starting life as a classic 1929 Taperwing Waco, this was once the aircraft of choice for barnstormers in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The Screamin’ Sasquatch has been completely redesigned and structurally reinforced using modern day engineering and materials, along with state-of-the-art technology to allow the addition of a jet engine to the aircraft. The Jack Link’s Jet Waco Screamin’ Sasquatch is powered by dual power plants: a Pratt & Whitney 985 radial engine and a General Electric CJ610 (J85) jet engine with 3,000 lbs. of thrust. Total thrust of the combined engines is rated at 4,500 lbs. A three-bladed Hartzell propeller is used to harness the power of the 985 radial.
This system allows the plane to achieve feats other stunt planes are unable to do, along with reaching speeds up to 250 mph. Snap rolls, spins, barrel rolls and the hover are among the list of maneuvers this aircraft can perform. The plane has a thrust ratio of greater than 1 to 1, which allows it to accelerate going straight up.
Smoke ‘n Thunder Jet Truck: The Hot Streak II is a twin jet engine 57 Chevy Pickup capable of speeds of 350+mph that has been entertaining fans across the country for over 20 years and is currently driven by Hayden Proffitt II.
It has two 2-Westinghouse turbine engines, recused from a Navy T-2A Buckeye Airplane with 25,000 horsepower. It delivers a ground shaking, heart-pounding performance equipped with an afterburner that fires 20-foot flames and produces billowing smoke and mini sonic booms.
F-35 Heritage Flight: The heritage flight program, of which the F-35 is a part, teams up current Air Force fighters with planes from the World War II, Korean and Vietnam eras in a dynamic display of our nation’s airpower history.
The F-35 is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter. It will replace the F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt II’s, which have been the primary fighter aircraft for more than 20 years, and bring with it an enhanced capability to survive in the advanced threat environment in which it was designed to operate. With its aerodynamic performance and advanced integrated avionics, the F-35 will provide next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness and reduced vulnerability for the United States and allied nations.
F-16: The Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team performs precision aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the unique capabilities of one of the Air Force’s premier aerial multi-role fighters, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-seat, multi-mission fighter with the ability to switch from an air-to-ground to an air-to-air role at the touch of a button. With its lightweight airframe and powerful General Electric engine generating 31,000 pounds of thrust, the F-16 can fly at speeds in excess of Mach 2.
by admin | Jan 18, 2018 | Media
2018 Tickets for the 55th Annual STIHL National Championship Air Races Now On Sale
The event is scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at the Reno-Stead Airport.
Tickets can be purchased here in the following options/categories:
- General Admission
- Pit Passes
- Chairman’s Tent
The following tickets can be purchased by calling 775-972-6663:
- Checkered Flag Club
- Box Seating
- Reserved & RV Parking
Reserved seats will go on sale to the public March 1, 2018.
Qualifications for all classes will start on Monday, September 10 at 8:00 a.m. and end on Wednesday, September 12. More event announcements will follow later this month releasing the 2018 lineup of performers.
The 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races is scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at the Reno-Stead Airport.
by admin | Aug 24, 2017 | Media
Day will conclude with a USO-Type Show
Reno, NV – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) today announced that Saturday, September 16th will be Military Appreciation Day at the STIHL National Championship Air Races. The day is dedicated to celebrating and honoring our armed forces personnel and will conclude with a USO-type show. As part of Military Appreciation Day, 1,500 complimentary Saturday tickets will be provided for active duty, reserve/national guard and retired military.
“The STIHL National Championship Air Races have a long and proud history of working with and supporting our military,” Tony Logoteta, COO of the Reno Air Racing Association said. “We are proud to dedicate an entire day to honor and celebrate the service so many brave men and women have given and are giving to our country.”
Immediately following the conclusion of Saturday’s races, RARA will host a 90 minute USO-type show for the first time. The show, featuring the Bama Girls Troupe – comprised of former Miss Alabamas – is a fast-paced, high-energy show with songs and dances for audiences of all ages featuring well-known military tunes as well as songs from other genres. The show will be filled with lots of surprises for all military personnel including World War II Veterans who will be in attendance with Honor Flight Nevada. The Bama Girls Troupe will also sing the National Anthem Saturday and Sunday as part of both days’ opening ceremonies.
“Since 1989, The Bama Girls have entertained troops around the globe, from Panama to Guantanamo Bay, to Iraq and installations all across the United States,” Jessica Sanders Walker, Military Liaison for the Reno Air Racing Association said. “This show is generously sponsored by the City of Fallon, CamGuard, DAV, Spencer Aircraft Supply and the Not New Shop at NAS Fallon. We greatly appreciate their incredible support of our military and their families.”
“As always, the STIHL National Championship Air Races are showcasing a number of military static displays during race week and we look forward to our current and retired military fans being able to see these types of aircraft up close,” Logoteta added.
The 1,500 complimentary Saturday tickets for military personnel may be reserved by calling one of the following locations – first come, first served:
Reno ANG: 775-788-4585
NAS Fallon MWR: 775-426-2836
Plumb Lane Armory: 775-384-5811
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by admin | Aug 1, 2017 | Media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2016
RARA to Hold Online Fundraiser to Increase Purse for Unlimited Class
-Fundraiser will run from July 19th to August 31st –
Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association will – for the first time ever – hold a donation funding campaign specifically aimed at increasing the Unlimited purse. RARA will direct all funds, minus 3rd party processing fees, from donations made to the “Increase the Unlimited purse” campaign received by Aug 31, 2017 to increasing the purse for the Unlimited Class at the 54th National Championship Air Races.
“We know and we understand that racing planes of these kinds is incredibly expensive,” John Agather, Chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors said. “Getting a plane to Reno – let alone racing it – requires hard work, sponsorship, dedication and a significant amount of resources. Over the years, we have heard from our fans, our racers and our classes that if we were able to raise the purse value, thus offsetting high participation costs, more planes would be able to come and compete. This fundraiser specifically targets the Unlimited Class because their purse has been cut in order to meet operational budgets.”
Individuals who are interested in donating to increase the value of the 2017 purse for the Unlimited Class can visit the Air Races website at airrace.org and donate by August 31, 2017. Checks may also be mailed to the RARA office at 14501 Mt. Anderson Street, Reno, NV 89506 with “Unlimited Purse Donation” in the memo line.
“Throughout the years – and in the face of adversity – we have done our best to maintain the value of the purse and this year, we are thinking outside the box,” Agather added. “All of our other classes have seen their purses remain intact or increase by a small amount. We firmly believe this fundraiser will help increase both racer and fan participation this year.”
Tickets are on sale for the 54th Annual National Championship Air Races held September 14-18, 2016 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information, or to volunteer, visit https://airrace.org.
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About the Reno Air Racing Association:
The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), a 501(c)(3), holds the STIHL National Championship Air Races every September just north of Reno. The Reno Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event 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:
Kelly Glenn
The Glenn Group
775-686-7777
[email protected]
by admin | Jun 21, 2017 | Media
Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association today announced that they have signed an agreement with MultiGP Drone Racing League to host the National Drone Racing Championship during this year’s National Championship Air Races. The drone racing championship will be held in the Air Races on-site drone zone.
“The addition of MultiGP’s National Drone Racing Championship into the air races allows our fans to experience exciting drone technology up-close and personally,” Tony Logoteta, Director of Finance for the Reno Air Racing Association said. “While air racing remains our number one priority, we are eager to incorporate this emerging entertainment into our lineup.”
Top pilots from each MultiGP regional qualifier who advance to their respective regional final will have an opportunity to advance to the championship, as the top two pilots from each of the 14 MultiGP regional finals will be invited. The 28 regional finalists will be joined at the championship by 117 other pilots who have proven themselves through other methods, such as highly ranked competitors from the regional finals and universal time trial leaderboards. In total, 145 pilots will compete at the championship, including the 2015 and 2016 MultiGP National Champion, Shaun “Nytfury” Taylor, who will have the opportunity to defend his title.
For a complete list of MultiGP qualifying events, please visit: http://www.multigp.com/page/2017-MultiGP-Regional-Series-Schedule
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by admin | May 22, 2017 | Media
Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association today announced that Livfast FMX will perform at the 54th National Championship Air Races this September 13th – 17th. A freestyle motocross team that performs stunts and tricks, Livfast will perform on the ground between air races.
“We are excited to have Livfast FMX perform at the 54th National Championship Air Races,” Reno Air Racing Association Board Chairman John Agather said. “These guys are sure to make the show on the ground as exciting as the show in the air!”
Livfast joins previously announced performers the Texas Flying Legends Museum and Brad Wursten Aerobatics.
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