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/.
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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. 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.
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/.
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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. 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.
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.
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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. 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.
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 Air Races and offer our local fans a discount on General Admission tickets.”
“The Biggest Little Birthday” will begin with a number of activities, including performances by Young Chautauqua and the Wolf Pack Marching Band, interactive displays of Reno Police and Fire Vehicles, a Reno Rodeo Chuck Wagon, Burning Man Art Car – The Fjorgyn, antique vehicles, a Reno Air Racing Plane, historic booths to commemorate Reno’s colorful past, vendors selling local art, an official Reno 150 t-shirt, a TapSnap photo booth with multiple background options for game day pics, and a large display of Reno 150 birthday cupcakes! Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for the unveiling of HOME art sculpture and the game will begin at 6:35 p.m. with a firework show to follow.
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.
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 classes of airplanes: Jet, Formula One, Sport, Biplane, T6 and the Unlimited Class. The best racing pilots in the world converge in Reno to battle on the only closed-pylon oval racecourse in the world.
“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 sponsors. The excitement is building in the racing community after watching Episode One last weekend, and we are looking forward to tuning in with our fans across the country and reliving race week while greatly anticipating this year’s 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races, scheduled Sept. 12-16, 2018.”
Tickets are on sale for the 55th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races, scheduled Sept. 12-16, 2018 at Reno Stead Airport. For more information or to volunteer visit www.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 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.
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