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Air Race News

The 53rd National Championship Air Races – Final Results

Reno, Nev. – The 53rd National Championship Air Races are the world’s premier air racing event. Final results are below: UNLIMITED CLASS Plane: “Voodoo” Pilot: Steven Hinton JET CLASS Plane: “American Spirit” Pilot: Rick Vandam SPORT CLASS Plane: “Race 39” Pilot: Jeff LaVelle T-6 CLASS Plane: “Baron’s Revenge” Pilot: Chris Rushing FORMULA ONE Plane: “Fraed Naught” Pilot: Lowell Slatter BI-PLANE CLASS Plane: “Reno Rabbit” Pilot: Jeff Rose  # # #  

Air Race News

Friday and Saturday Evening Concert Location

The STIHL National Championship Air Races will hold two free to race attendees concerts this year. The first is on The Nick Lawrence Band on Friday evening and the second is The Juantanamos on Saturday. Both concerts will occur after the final race in the hangar next to the Checkered Flag Club. The hangar is located inside the pit gates and near the concession area. Find the full event planning schedule here.

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STIHL Signs On As Presenting Sponsor of the STIHL National Championship Air Races

Company was a gold sponsor of the NBC Sports show last year Reno, Nev. – The STIHL National Championship Air Races today announced that STIHL has signed on as the presenting sponsor for the 2016 and 2017 races. “STIHL partnered with us last year as a gold sponsor of the NBC Sports show and we are thrilled that they have decided to come on board in such a big way as the presenting sponsor of the 53rd and 54th National Championship Air Races,” Reno Air Racing Association President and CEO Mike Crowell said. “Organizing and putting on the air races…

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RARA TO HOLD MOCK EMERGENCY TABLETOP EXERCISE TUESDAY, AUGUST 23RD

Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) will hold a mock emergency tabletop exercise this coming Tuesday, August 23rd from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Regional Emergency Operations Center. The media is invited to attend. “As a large scale event held just north of Reno every year, it is incredibly important to increase awareness among staff and stakeholders about what to do if an incident should occur,” RARA President and CEO Mike Crowell said. “This tabletop exercise will give us an opportunity to think through potential incidents, understand the needs of first responders and be even more…

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Last Call for Media Credentials

The deadline to apply for media credentials is next Monday, August 15th. If you’ve already applied and received a confirmation email, there is no need to apply again. If you have applied, but have not received a confirmation email, please contact [email protected] If you have not yet applied and are hoping to cover the 53rd National Championship Air Races, please apply here by next Monday.

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National Championship Air Races to Include Two Concerts this year

RENO, Nev. – For the first time in its 53 year history, the STIHL National Championship Air Races will feature two on-site concerts this year. The concerts, which will be on Friday and Saturday night, will occur after the day’s final air race and are free to race attendees. “We know that when the final air race is complete, it is sometimes a rush to the gate and our fans occasionally experience a traffic jam,” Mike Crowell, President and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association said. “This year, we are going to showcase two great bands after the final…

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National Championship Air Races In Running for 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Air Show

Reno, Nev. – The STIHL National Championship Air Races is in the running for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award, in the category of Best Air Show and votes are now being recorded online for the number one air show. Working with a pair of air show experts, 10Best narrowed the field to the best 20 air shows in the nation. Voting is now open to select the top 10. “Everyone who has been to the STIHL National Championship Air Races knows it is truly the best air show on earth,” Reno Air Racing Association President and CEO Mike Crowell…

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National Championship Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar Attracts Record Number of Participants and Planes

Annual safety briefing and qualifying seminar for September races occurred last week Reno, Nev. – The 19th annual National Championship Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) was held last week, June 15-18, at the Reno Stead Airport. PRS is a qualifying and safety seminar for pilots new to the STIHL National Championship Air Races. This year’s event, which was not open to the public, hosted a record 79 airplanes and 130 participants, including students, instructors and certified pilots. “We are beyond excited to have hosted a record number of planes and participants at this year’s Pylon Racing Seminar, Mike Crowell,…

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U.S. Navy Blue Angels to Headline 2016 RARA Performers List

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced performers for the 2016 National Championship Air Races, to be held September 14 – 18, 2016 at the Reno-Stead Airport. The United States Navy’s Blue Angels will headline this year’s performers. The Wings of Blue United States Air Force (USAF) Jump Team will also perform and Jim Peitz will pilot an aerobatic Beechcraft F33C bonanza. Performers will also include the Lucas Oil Pitts, the Smoke ‘n Thunder Jet Car, and for the first time, an F-35A stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona will join the line of…

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RARA Issues Call for Volunteers

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) issued a call for volunteers for this year’s National Championship Air Races, held September 14 – 18th at the Reno-Stead Airport. Volunteers are needed in areas including security/gate control, parking management, food & beverage services, hospitality, transportation services, ticket sales, site preparation, operations, logistics, and in the office. RARA will work with volunteers to schedule convenient days and time slots. Those who are interested in volunteering are encouraged to apply online: https://airrace.org/about-us/volunteer/. Questions may be directed to the Air Races office at (775) 972-6663.