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RARA Announces Racer Lineup for 2018 STIHL National Championship Air Races

Racers Announced for the 55th  STIHL National Championship Air Races Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is pleased to announce the highly-anticipated racing lineup for the 55th STIHL National Championship Air Races, scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at Reno-Stead Airport. The event will feature six racing classes including Unlimited, Jet, Sport, T6, Formula One and Biplane, with speeds reaching over 500 miles per hour. Defending Gold champions returning this year include Rick Vandam flying American Spirit in the Jet Class, Jeff Lavelle flying Race 39 in the Sport Class, John Lohmar flying Radial Velocity in the T6 Class, Lowell…

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RARA Announces New Deputy Director of Operations and Deputy Air Bosses

Reno Air Racing Association Announces New Deputy Director of Operations and Deputy Air Bosses for the STIHL National Championship Air Races -Scheduled for September 12-16, 2018 at Reno-Stead Airport-  Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is pleased to announce Mike O’Brien as Deputy Director of Operations, Walter A. “Tony” Grady Jr. Deputy Air Boss of Race Operations and Owen Ashurst as the Deputy Air Boss of Performers for the 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races, scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at Reno-Stead Airport. O’Brien will report to Terry Matter, Director of Operations and Secretary of the RARA…

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RARA Welcomes Two New Local Members to the Board of Directors

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced today that it has expanded its Board of Directors and welcomes two new local members, Tony Logoteta and Bobbi Thompson following the vote at the April 26 Board Meeting. “We are so fortunate to have Tony and Bobbi joining the Board. Beyond their day-to-day operational expertise, they bring local ties, management and aviation experience to enhance the planning of the STIHL National Championship Air Races and continue the great tradition of this one-of-a-kind event which annually brings $91 million economic impact to the local economy,” says Fred Telling, CEO of RARA and Chairman…

Air Race News

RARA Will Display Air Racing Plane at “The Biggest Little Birthday” Reno 150 Celebration

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) will be participating as a vendor at “The Biggest Little Birthday” Reno 150 Celebration at Greater Nevada Field on Wednesday, May 9 from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. RARA will display a race plane and have a booth at the event where discounted General Admission tickets will be available for the 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races. “We are excited to be participating in Reno’s 150th birthday celebration,” said Tony Logoteta, COO of RARA. “This is a great opportunity to celebrate this great city, talk to our community about the upcoming STIHL National Championship…

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Episode 2/3 of 2017 STIHL National Championship Air Races “YOU HAVE A RACE!” to air on NBC Sports Network SUNDAY, APRIL 8

Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is excited to announce the second of three one-hour episodes of the 2017 National Championship Air Races will air on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. The second show titled “You Have a Race!” will air on Sunday, April 8 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT / 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT on NBC Sports Network. The fastest motorsport races in the world continue, see who will advance to the National Championship Gold races, and who takes the poll positions in six different…

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RENO AIR RACING ASSOCIATION SECURES LICENSE FOR 2018-2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AIR RACES

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced today that the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) has approved a new two-year licensing agreement extending through 2019. “We are pleased to come to an agreement with the RTAA,” remarks RARA COO, Tony Logoteta. “The STIHL National Championship Air Races is the only event of its kind in the world, and 2018 marks the 55th year of this spectacular event in northern Nevada. It provides an economic impact of as much as $91.7 million annually and brings aviation enthusiasts to our area from around the world. We appreciate the continued partnership…

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“Start Your Engines!” Episode 1 of 2017 National Championship Air Races to air on NBC Sports on Saturday, March 31

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is excited to announce the first of three one-hour episodes of the 2017 National Championship Air Races airing on NBC Sports Network on March 31, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. EDT. “We are excited to partner with STIHL and NBC Sports to air the 2017 National Championship Air Races on television,” said Fred Telling, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of the Reno Air Racing Association. “These shows are only possible because of the continued and generous sponsorship and support from STIHL, Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, the Nevada Commission on Tourism and our other…

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Showtimes Announced For Three NBC Sports One-Hour Episodes of the 2017 STIHL National Championship Air Races

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is excited to announce the dates and times for three, one-hour shows of the 2017 National Championship Air Races airing on NBC Sports Network on March 31, April 8, and April 21, 2018 “We are excited to partner with STIHL and NBC Sports to air the 2017 Nation Championship Air Races on television,” said Fred Telling, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Reno Air Racing Association. “These shows are only possible because of the continued and generous sponsorship and support from STIHL, Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, the Nevada Commission on Tourism…

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Reserved Tickets Now On Sale for 2018 National Championship Air Races

STIHL 55th Annual National Championship Air Races Announces Reserved Tickets Now On Sale Reserved tickets for the STIHL 55th annual National Championship Air Races are now on sale. The event is scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at the Reno-Stead Airport and tickets can be purchased at www.airrace.org in the following options/categories: Reserved Tickets General Admission Pit Passes Chairman’s Tent The following tickets can be purchased by calling 775-972-6663: Checkered Flag Club Box Seating RV Parking Reserved Parking The Patriots Jet Team will headline this year’s performers and the Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco from John Klatt Air Shows will perform aerobatics. Demonstrations…

Air Race News

Robert “Hoot” Gibson Wins Unlimited Gold Race in “Strega” at 2015 National Championship Air Races

Gibson unseats six-time gold winner Steve Hinton in “Voodoo” who did not finish the race Reno, Nev. – The 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races came to a close today with Robert “Hoot” Gibson as the winner of the Unlimited Gold Race with a speed of 488.983mph in “Strega.” Stewart Dawson flying “Rare Bear” was second (471.957) and Dennis Sanders in “Dreadnought” was third (420.361). Steve Hinton, flying “Voodoo,” and who had won the Unlimited Gold Race the last six years in a row, did not finish the race. Gibson, 68, is a former American naval officer and aviator, test…