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.
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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)
[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]
by admin | Sep 4, 2015 | Air Race News
With the kickoff of the STIHL National Championship Air Races only two weeks away, there are a few highlights to consider when purchasing tickets and coming out to the Reno-Stead Airfield Sept. 16-20. Check out the event information below and mark the calendar for this year’s air race and show.
Spectators will see six classes of planes including:
- Unlimited Class – Stock or modified WWII fighters with the P-51 Mustangs, F-8F Bearcats and Hawker Sea Fury being flown most often. The Unlimited Class flies in speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour.
- Jet Class – Aero Vodochody L-39 “Albatros”jets, non-after-burning jet with less than 15 degrees of wing sweep. The Jet Class planes fly at racing speeds in excess of 500 miles per hour.
- Sport Class – Super Sport and Sport classes consist of kit-built aircrafts powered by a reciprocating engine with displacements of 650 cubic inches or fewer.
- T-6 Class – One of three different types World War II trainers: AT-6, Harvard’s, or SNJ’s. The racers who compete in this class on a 4.990-mile race course create some of the tightest competition seen at the STIHL National Championship Air Races.
- Formula One – A minimum dry empty weight of 500 pounds, non-retractable landing gear, a minimum wing area of 66 square feet, a fixed-pitch propeller constructed of either wood or composite materials and a 100 HP 200 cubic-inch Continental engine. The Formula 1 class has several races across the country throughout the year, with Reno serving as the site for their National Championship and their biggest purse. At Reno, the race course distance covers 3.1068 miles.
- Bi-Plane Class – Biplanes must have a minimum dry weight of 500 pounds, at least 30 percent of the required 75-square-foot wing area must be contained in the smaller of the two wings, non-retractable landing gear, a fixed pitch propeller, and the largest engine permitted is the 360-cubic-inch, 180 HP Lycoming engine.
Notable pilots this year include Robert “Hoot” Gibson in Strega and Steve Hinton in Voodoo, in a culmination of a years-long rivalry with wins from both planes for first and second place.
Notable military performers this year include the F-16 Viper Demo/Heritage Flight and USAFA Wings of Blue Jump Team. Notable civilian performers this year include the Breitling Jet Team, Tora Tora Tora, David Martin, Red Eagles, Falcon Demo, and B-25 Fly-by.
“This is arguably one of the most competitive fields in the history of the STIHL National Championship Air Races,” said Mike Crowell, CEO of the Air Racing Association (RARA). “Truly, with such a stacked racing field, our fans are in for an unforgettable experience.”
This year also includes an expanded Drone Zone and The Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Challenge, the famed “Big D and Bubbah”, and a bevy of individual air performances from some of today’s most talented aerial stunt pilots, including Breitling Jet Team and Tora Tora Tora.
“The Drone Zone was wildly successful with people of all ages at last year’s event. We’re thrilled to offer even more unmanned aerial vehicle opportunities this year, and it’s been a great way to get visitors excited about the event and advancements in UAV technology,” said John Agather, Chairman of the Board for RARA.
The 52nd annual National Championship Air Races is the world’s premier air racing event. Qualifying events for the race take place Sunday, Sept. 13 through Wednesday morning, Sept. 16. The races kick off Wednesday afternoon Sept. 16, and continue through Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Reno-Stead Airfield. The tentative schedule is available on www.airrace.org for a complete list of events.
Tickets 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]
by admin | Aug 20, 2014 | Air Race News
Reno, Nev. – With help from partner Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, the STIHL National Championship Air Races will be home to the first-ever Small UAS Challenge during this September’s 51st event. The challenge, which is free to enter and takes place Sept. 12 – 14, will test a number of skills and demonstrate a variety of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). The Small UAS Challenge is just the latest in a number of new and returning entertainment that is planned for this year’s Reno Air Races, which take place Sept. 10 – 14, joining previously announced acts like Melissa Pemberton, one of the world’s top female aerobatic pilots, the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, the L-39 Patriot Jet Team, the return of the ‘Car Drop,’ and more.
“To have a worldwide leader in aeronautics like Embry-Riddle hold such a unique and fun event like the Small UAS Challenge at the Air Races is a thrill for us and is something that our fans won’t be able to see anywhere else in the world,” said Mike Major, chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA). “Unmanned aircraft have received a lot of attention in the news, especially in Nevada, and this is a one-of-a-kind chance for people to get up close and personal with this technology in a fun and challenging environment.”
As one of the world’s foremost institutes for aviation and aeronautical education, Embry-Riddle – Worldwide created the Small UAS Challenge as a way to “promote and recognize the emerging UAS industry.” The competition, which is free and open to private and commercial participants, will feature an obstacle course, time trial and a dead lift, testing speed, agility and strength. Eligible aircraft must be able to perform a vertical takeoff and landing and can be no larger than 36 inches and 10 pounds. The number of participants is limited, and early registration is encouraged. All participants will receive free admission to the STIHL National Championship Air Races.
“We look forward to presenting this challenge during the STIHL National Championship Air Races,” said David Thirtyacre, assistant professor of aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Worldwide. “As a leader in aviation and aeronautical education, Embry-Riddle Worldwide recognizes the importance of the UAS industry in both the state of Nevada and throughout the country.”
To register for the Small UAS Challenge:
sUAS Competition Registration
sUAS Challenge Rules
sUAS Competition Fact Sheet
