Reserved Tickets Now On Sale for 2018 National Championship Air Races

Reserved Tickets Now On Sale for 2018 National Championship Air Races

by | Mar 2, 2018 | Media

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 will also include the Smoke ‘n Thunder Jet Truck, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and more!

Qualifications for all classes will start on Monday, September 10 at 8:00 a.m. and end on Wednesday, September 12. Racing begins on Wednesday afternoon.

For more information, tickets, or to volunteer visit www.airrace.org.

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

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

by | 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.

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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. 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)

kglenn@theglenngroup.com