by admin | Nov 11, 2015 | Air Race News
Reno, Nev. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has released preliminary results for the 2015 National Championship Air Races and is projecting a profit of over $100,000. Results will be finalized at year-end. The original budget for 2015 called for a $630,000 loss, so the projected profit is very good news for the event.
Over 150,000 attended this year’s event with pilots racing in six classes, an airshow featuring Tora Tora Tora!, a reenactment of the events of Pearl Harbor, and many other displays including static aircraft and the expanded Drone Zone.
Mike Crowell was named president and CEO by the RARA board of directors in February of 2015, bringing to the organization his extensive sales, marketing and operations background with Coca-Cola where he managed bottling facilities in the United States, Middle East and Asia. Crowell credits the work of the board, staff and many volunteers for helping bring the RARA operational costs into control this year in the interest of sustaining this event that provides over $70 million in economic impact to the community.
“The STIHL National Championship Air Races is not only the fastest motor sport in the world and an event that is followed by aviation enthusiasts from around the world, but it’s a treasure for our community,” said Crowell. “Our goal for this year was to look at this event like a business and operate in such a way that would ensure it is around for many years to come. We had to make some tough decisions to get our costs in line, but with the support of our board, staff, event chairs and dedicated volunteers, we were able to turn a budgeted $630,000 loss for the year into a $100,000 projected profit, which is exactly what we needed to do.”
The 2015 event was a success in many other ways as well: there was tremendous support from sponsors, the weather was great, it was a safe event with no incidents and the many facets of the event drew people of all ages, young and old, and from literally every corner of the world.
Veteran Robert “Hoot” Gibson capped off the successful event by winning the coveted Unlimited Gold Race in Strega, unseating six-time winner, Steve Hinton, in Voodoo.
“To say we’re very pleased with the preliminary results of the 2015 National Championship Air Races is an understatement,” said John Agather, chairman of the RARA board of directors. “We’re already planning for a great event next year and are excited to have the Blue Angels returning in 2016.”
The 53rd National Championship Air Races will be held September 14-18, 2016. Tickets will go on sale after the first of the year.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races:
Held every September just north of Reno, the STIHL National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. The 2015 event attracted more than 150,000 spectators and is expected to have generated more than $70 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, visit www.airrace.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Valerie Glenn
The Glenn Group
775-686-7777
[email protected]
by admin | Sep 21, 2015 | Air Race News
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 pilot, aeronautical engineer, and a retired NASA astronaut, as well as a professional pilot who currently races regularly at the annual Reno Air Races.
Other race results:
UNLIMITED CLASS
Speed: 488.983
Plane: Strega
Pilot: Robert “Hoot” Gibson
JET CLASS
Speed: 502.370
Plane: Vampire
Pilot: Pete Zaccagnino
T-6 CLASS
Speed: 238.073
Plane: Midnight Miss III
Pilot: Dennis Buehn
SPORT CLASS
Speed: 377.403
Plane: Blue Thunder II
Pilot: John Parker
BI-PLANE CLASS
Speed: 245.109
Plane: Phantom
Pilot: Tom Aberle
FORMULA ONE
Speed: 239.432
Plane: Endeavor
Pilot: Steve Senegal
RECORDS BROKEN
Tom Aberle broke the speed record in his plane, Phantom, in the Biplane class in a qualifying race on Monday, September 14, with a speed of 284.454 mph. The previous record, set in 2014, was 274.091.
# # #
About the STIHL National Championship Air Races:
Held every September just north of Reno, the STIHL National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event attracted more than 150,000 spectators and 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
775-815-7779 (cell)
[email protected]
by admin | Sep 14, 2015 | Air Race News
Reno, Nev. – The 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races is the world’s premier air racing event, and a new record was set today, Monday, September 14.
RECORD BROKEN:
Pilot, Tom Aberle, set a new speed record in the Biplane class in Phantom, a Modified Mong Sport, with a speed of 284.454.
Tickets for the show are still available by phone at 775-972-6663 or online at www.airrace.org. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
# # #
About the STIHL National Championship Air Races:
Held every September just north of Reno, the STIHL National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event attracted more than 150,000 spectators and 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:
Kena Cataneso
The Glenn Group
775-686-7768
[email protected]
by admin | Sep 11, 2015 | Media
Reno, Nev. – NBC Sports is slated to air a one-hour special on the STIHL National Championship Air Races in February of 2016. This is an incredible opportunity for the Air Races and the Northern Nevada area to be exposed to a national television audience.
The one-hour special is being produced by JM Associates, an Emmy Award-winning production company and leader in content development for sports and outdoor broadcasts.
“We’ve been producing niche sports for over 40 years and when we were invited to see what the STIHL National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. were all about, it took one quick look to know that this will be a hit with the national audience. Directing our cameras toward extremely compelling characters and fast, high-tech flying machines is a recipe for success,” said Mike McKinnis, VP Executive Producer for JM Associates.
Sponsorship of the special on NBC includes the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority as the Presenting Sponsor, and the Nevada Commission on Tourism, NASA, University of Nevada, Reno, STIHL, Inc. and Lewis Energy Group as the Gold Sponsors.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring a national treasure like the STIHL National Championship Air Races to a worldwide audience,” said Reno Air Racing Association president and CEO, Mike Crowell. “This will bring worldwide exposure not only to the STIHL National Championship Air Races, but also the Reno-Tahoe area and Nevada as a whole, and we couldn’t be more proud to be showcased on a premium network like NBC Sports.”
Viewers can watch the NBC Sports special on the STIHL National Championship Air Races in February, 2016. The air date and time will be confirmed at a later date.
Tickets are now on sale for the 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races held Sept. 16-20, 2015 at Reno-Stead Airport. For more information, to volunteer or become a vendor visit 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:
Kena Cataneso
The Glenn Group
775-686-7768
[email protected]
by admin | Sep 9, 2015 | Media
Reno, Nev. – The 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races is the world’s premier air racing event. Tickets for the event are still on sale.
WHAT: The 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races
WHERE: The Reno-Stead Airport
14501 Mt Anderson St, Reno, NV 89506
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Sunday Sept. 20; 8am – 4:30pm
The day begins with Biplane and Formula One Class races with the remaining four classes and aerobatic performances and demonstrations following later in the day. Unlimited Class races occur in the afternoon with the last event of the day ending at approximately 4:30 p.m. Schedule subject to change. Please see the tentative schedule for a complete list of events.
HOW: Tickets for the show are available by phone at 775-972-6663 or online at www.airrace.org. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
# # #
About the STIHL National Championship Air Races:
Held every September just north of Reno, the STIHL National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Last year’s event attracted more than 150,000 spectators and 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:
Kena Cataneso
The Glenn Group
775-686-7768
[email protected]
