by admin | Aug 21, 2018 | Media
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 Slatter flying Fraed Naught in the Formula One Class and Andrew Buehler flying Phantom in the Biplane Class.
Returning to Reno this year following long absences in the Unlimited Class are Brent Hisey flying Miss America, Mike Brown flying Goldfinger (formerly Risky Business) and Lady B, previously known as Bardahl Miss, will be flown by Michael Pfleger. Graeme Frew, flying Full Noise is returning to Reno for the second year in a row from New Zealand, and for the first time in decades a P63 Kingcobra will round the pylons at Reno.
“This is an exciting lineup of talented pilots flying beautiful planes, and we expect to see some close and competitive racing in all of the classes,” said Tony Logoteta, RARA COO. “We are really looking forward to welcoming back some teams that haven’t been to Reno in years and also seeing all of the members of this passionate racing community that follow our one-of-kind event.”
In the Unlimited class, the following racers are scheduled to participate:
Brant Seghetti – Blondie
Brent Hisey – Miss America
Curt Brown – Sawbones
Dan Vance – Speedball Alice
Dennis Sanders – Eagle’s Wings
Graeme Frew – Full Noise
Jim “JD” Dale – Pretty Polly
JP Thibodeau – Crusader
Joel Swager – Dreadnought
Mark Watt – 924G
Michael Pfleger – Lady B
Mike Brown – Goldfinger
Rob Gordon – Lady Jo
Sherman Smoot – Argonaut
Tom Nightingale – Bunny
Pace Plane: Steve Hinton – T33-Pace
Alternate Pace: Kevin Eldridge
Safety: Robert Patterson – Wee Willy
Alternate Pilots:
Joe Thibodeau
Mark Moodie |
In the Jet class, the following racers are scheduled to participate:
Alexandre Eckmann – Race 37
Bob McCormack – Athena
Charlie Camilleri – Blue Ice
J. Kevin Roll – Miss Independence
Jeff Turney – Robin 1
Jim Beyer – Poky
Joe Gano – Sluggo
Lachie Onslow – Drop Bear
Larry Labriola – Sarance
Nathan Harnagel – Realty Czech
Pete Stavrides – American Patriot
Peter A. Zaccagnino – Just Lucky
Rick Vandam – American Spirit
Scott Farnsworth – Dash Force One
Vicky Benzing – Darkstar II
Zachary McNeill – Invictus
Pace Plane: Jay Obernolte – The Mistress
Alternate Pilots:
Doug Matthews
Michael Pfleger
Michael Stieger
In the Sport class, the following racers are scheduled to participate:
Abe Gaskins – Under Dog
Andrew Findlay – One Moment
Bob Mills – Mojo
Chiwami Takagi-Read – Legacy
Dan West – Whiskey Tango
Dave Morss – Martins Legacy
David Robinson – Desert Lightning
David Sterling – No Name
Elliot Seguin – Wasabinought
Ernie O. Sutter – Jus Pass’n Thru
George Catalano – Bigger Dingo
James Stringer – Rocket Six
Jason Rovey – Sport 76
Jeff Lavelle – Race 39
Jessy Panzer – Cruse Missile
Jim Rust – Race 24
John Flanagan – Greenstreak
Karl Grove – GA 1
Kirk Murphy – Papa’s Ride
Lee Ulrich – General Lee
Louis Gabriel – Blind Luck
Marc Frederickson – Tenacity
Mathias Haid – Clas Thunder I
Matt Beaubien – Low Motion
Neil Wischer – Triple 8
Olivier Langeard – Zebulon
Paul Downing – Sport 36
Peter A. Zaccagnino – Coming In Hot
Peter Balmer – Swiss Thunder
Scott Prewitt – Phantom Rocket
Sean Vanhatten – Havoc
Skylor Piper – Miss Ruby S.
Tom McNerney – Unleashed
Tommy Ishii – Yellow Fever
Vicky Benzing – Lucky Too
Vince Walker – Modo Mio
Pace Planes:
Bob Mills – El Toro
Rick Vandam – Phoenix
Alternate Pace Pilots:
Kevin Eldredge
Mark Johnson
Michael Stieger
Alternate Pilots:
Dan Ballin
Jay Adams
In the T-6 class, the following racers are scheduled to participate:
Bill Muszala – Miss Ellaneous
Chris LeFave – Bare Essentials
Chris Rushing – Barons Revenge
Dennis Buehn – Midnight Miss III
Eric Woelbing – Miss TNT
Gene McNeely – Baby Boomer
Greg McNeely – Undecided
John Lohmar – Radial Velocity
Lee Oman – Eros
Michael Pfleger – Miss Informed
Nick S. Macy – Six-Cat
Pete Stavrides – Gotcha!
Ralph J. Rina – Miss Humboldt Hunny
Vic McMann – Gunslinger
Vitaly Pecherskyy – Abracadabra
William Walker III – Big Red
Pace Plane: Rick Siegfried – T6 Pace
Alternate Pilots:
Joey “Gordo” Sanders
Kevin Sutterfield
Mike Scott
Rob Sanberg
In the Formula One class, the following racers are scheduled to participate:
Anders Trygg – Miss Eve
Casey Erickson – ACME Special
Jason Barksdale – Tony the Tiger
Jerry Marshall – Tumbleweed
Jim Jordan – Miss Min
Joseph Clark – Sonic Zoom
Justin Meaders – Limitless
Justin Phillipson – No Strings Attached
Justin Phillipson – Sleeper
Kent Jackson – Once More
Lio V. Mougel – Hysteria
Lowell Slatter – Fraed Naught
Matthew Coughlin – Judy
Merce Marti – Heat Stroke
Paul Newman – Fast and Easy
Philip Goforth – Annie
Rob Michie – Sassy Sangoma
Ross Killin – The Kraken
Ryszard Zadow – Last Lap Player
Scott Holmes – Outlaw
Steve Senegal – Endeavor
Steve Temple – Outrageous
Steve Tumlin – Feisty
Alternate Pilot:
Swaid Rahn
In the Biplane class, the following racers are scheduled to participate:
Alan Hoover – There Be Dragons
Andrew Buehler – Mistress
Andrew Buehler – Phantom
Anthony Oshinuga – Black Hawk
Casey Erickson – The Batplane
Eric Zine – Yellow Fever
Jeffrey Lo – Miss Dianne
Jeff Rose – Second Hand
John A. D’Alessandris – RB Special
Marie-Claire Laberge – The Yellow Bomber
Robert Austen – FReaKY
Sam Swift – Smokin’ Hot
Scott McDonald – Christen EagleTommy Suell – PlaneJunkies
“Tony” Minoru Higa – Tango Tango
Alternate Pilots:
Brian Hoover
Kevin Harper
Scott Thomson
Racing qualifications for all classes will start on Sunday, September 9th at 8:00 a.m. and end on Wednesday, September 12th. Racing will begin the afternoon of Wednesday, September 12th. Tickets are on sale for the 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races held September 12-16, 2018 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information, to purchase tickets or to volunteer, visit https://airrace.org/.
# # #
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. Independent economic impact studies have shown that our event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for our local economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian 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.
by admin | Aug 13, 2018 | Media
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 Board, and Tony and Owen will report to Greg “Shifty” Peairs, RARA Air Boss.
Beginning his aviation career in 1972, Mike O’Brien has flown a variety of aircraft and missions all over the world. He has over 25 years of senior corporate and operations management, and in 1986 he moved his international helicopter operations and aerospace product development to Reno. Since moving to Reno, Mike has spent a considerable amount of time in the Air Race hangar as a volunteer for the STIHL National Championship Air Races.
“Mike brings with him extensive knowledge in the aviation and aerospace industry,” remarks Terry Matter. “He is very experienced working with the FAA and has an understanding of major modifications to airplanes and airplane flight safety requirements which will greatly contribute to the operations during race week.”
Tony Grady is a decorated Air Force command pilot and an experienced test pilot with over 5,000 flying hours in 40 different aircraft and has been flying since 1977. After retiring from the military in 1997, Tony was hired by FedEx as an MD-11 Captain, a DC-10 Second Officer and an MD-11 First Officer until he retired in December of 2017.
Owen has been a pylon judge at the STIHL National Championship Air Races since 2002 after serving as a Docent for Seattle’s Museum of Flight for over ten years. Over the years his position with the STIHL National Championship Air Races has shifted from Pylon Judge to Deputy Chief Pylon Judge and now Deputy Air Boss of the performers. He has extensive experience as an Air Boss including overseeing Seafair in Seattle.
“We are so grateful to have such experienced people in these Deputy Air Boss positions,” remarked Greg “Shifty” Peairs. “Owen is regarded as an expert Air Boss in the field as he has ensured compliance and safety for many other airshows around the country. Tony is a decorated retired veteran and experienced pilot, and we are thrilled to have his skills, aviation knowledge and attention to detail added to the Deputy Air Boss position.”
Tickets are on sale for the 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races held September 12-16, 2018 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information, tickets or to volunteer, visit https://airrace.org/.
###
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. Independent economic impact studies have shown that our event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for our local economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian 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.
by admin | Jul 25, 2018 | Media
RENO AIR RACING ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14
at the 2018 STIHL National Championship Air Races
RENO, Nev. [July 26, 2018] – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is pleased to announce they have named Friday, September 14th as Military Appreciation Day, sponsored by Mercer-Fraser Company. All current and former Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard will receive free admission to the Reserved Seating area with a Military ID or proof of service, if proof of service is not available, there will be a simple questionnaire offered at the box office. Family members of the military community will receive a $10 discount in Reserved Seating tickets when accompanied by a military member.
“We appreciate everything these brave men and women have done to protect our freedom. It’s extremely important to us that they are honored and recognized for their service, and we’re so thankful for Mercer-Fraser Company’s sponsorship,” said Tony Logoteta, COO of RARA. “We are excited to provide our nation’s heroes with the opportunity to enjoy a fun and memorable day at the Races with their families and experience the thrill of watching the world’s fastest motorsport.”
Tickets are on sale for the 55th Annual STIHL National Championship Air Races, scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information or to volunteer visit airrace.org.
###
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. Independent economic impact studies have shown that our event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for our local economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian 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.
by admin | May 14, 2018 | Media
RENO AIR RACING ASSOCIATION WILL HELP EDUCATE LOCAL YOUTH ABOUT AVIATION AND TECHNOLOGY AT RENO ACES EDUCATION DAY, MAY 15
RENO, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is excited to announce they will be partnering with the Reno Aces for Education Day on May 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Greater Nevada Field. RARA’s STEM Education Center Coordinator, Reza Karamooz, his GRADD-NVBAA team and racing pilot Dennis Beuhn will be present to share information about technology, aviation and what it takes to become a pilot.
RARA’s GRADD-NVBAA team will have drones on display as well as two flight simulators. Several ground robots will be on display ranging in size from as small as a ping-pong ball to large VEX robots. RARA will have a 3D printer onsite with many 3D printed items on display, including small baseball bats. There will be 2017 Aviation Collector Cards available as giveaways for attendees.
“We are looking forward to this great opportunity to teach our local youth about aviation and technology,” said Tony Logoteta, COO of RARA. “Youth aviation education is something RARA is very passionate about and this event will highlight some of the amazing things we offer in our GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education Discovery Zone at the STIHL National Championship Air Races.”
Education Day is an event designed for educators and students to learn more about the Desert Research Institute – Science Alive to incorporate STEM principles, safety tips, environmental care, college information and life skills with baseball.
Tickets are on sale for the 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races, scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information or to volunteer visit www.airrace.org.
###
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. Independent economic impact studies have shown that our event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for our local economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian 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, visitwww.airrace.org.
About GRADD CO:(Global Robot And Drone Deployment) is a Las Vegas-based Socially Responsible Nevada Corporation. GRADD is a leading technology firm in the areas of software and data analytics, creating actionable results from aerial and/or ground data. Some of GRADD’s industry partners include Intel, Sony, FLIR and Leica Geosystems. GRADD has developed and facilitated educational curriculum for Intel Corporation for 3D Modeling, 3D design, and 3D printing. GRADD provides complete solutions for commercial and governmental clients, from mission planning, to aerial and ground data collection, to data analytics, to delivering the final results as 3D aerial surveys, maps, and inspection reports.
GRADD supports local schools, and sponsors after-school clubs, and year-round internships for underrepresented youth in the Las Vegas area. GRADD also sponsors and supports the Aviation Post 888, serving youth 13 to 20 years old in the Las Vegas Area Council of Boy Scouts. For more information about GRADD, call 702-879-9100, visit www.GRADD.co, follow us on Twitter (@GRADD_CO) or email [email protected].
About NVBAA:Nevada Business Aviation Association (NVBAA) is a Nevada 501(c)3 non-profit education charity based in Las Vegas. NVBAA supports the aviation, aerospace, and UAS industries throughout Nevada. NVBAA advocates for the expansion of aviation-based STEM Education offerings for K-12 youth, statewide economic development, airport infrastructure expansion and the creation of high-paying jobs in Aviation, Aerospace and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the Great State of Nevada. NVBAA’s 450 members represent Nevada’s top aviation business, industry stakeholders, and academia leaders, plus top government, and community representatives. NVBAA is the Nevada chapter of NBAA (National Business Aviation Association).
NVBAA supports local schools, and sponsors after-school clubs, and year-round internships for students interested in aviation in the Las Vegas area. Together with GRADD, NVBAA sponsors and supports the Aviation Post 888, serving youth 13 to 20 years old in the Las Vegas Area Council of Boy Scouts. Learn more about NVBAA at www.nvbaa.org, follow us on Twitter (@NVBAA) or email [email protected].
by admin | May 9, 2018 | Media
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 of the Board.
Tony Logoteta is the current COO of RARA and has extensive knowledge of the business operations and logistical details that go into producing the STIHL National Championship Air Races (NCAR).
“I’m humbled by the invitation to join the RARA Board of Directors and look forward to helping this event and organization in any way I can. I love this city, and I’ve always appreciated what this event does for our region. The STIHL National Championship Air Races is a marquee event that has brought national and international exposure to Reno for over five decades, and I’m excited to be a part of its continued growth into the future,” says Tony Logoteta, COO of RARA.
Bobbi Thompson was hired as VP of Strategic Planning for RARA and also currently serves as the Airport Manager at Minden Airport and COO of ABS Aviation. She has over 35 years of experience producing air shows around the United States and Central America.
“For the past 55 years, Reno has been the home to the only championship air races in the world,” remarked Bobbi Thompson, RARA’s VP of Strategic Planning. “I am very honored to join the Board and play a role the production of the STIHL National Championship Air Races, along with STIHL, the City of Reno, and all of our sponsors to continue to host this amazing event for air racing fans from all around the world.”
Tickets are on sale for the 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races, scheduled September 12-16, 2018 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information or to volunteer visit www.airrace.org.
###
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. Independent economic impact studies have shown that our event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for our local economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian 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, visitwww.airrace.org.
Tony Logoteta
Bobbi Thompson
