Roswell, N.M. – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), producers of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR), announced that the Unlimited Class has notified they are withdrawing from participation in the 2025 races, scheduled to take place in Roswell, NM from September 10-14, 2025.
“The Unlimited Class is one of our most iconic, so we are obviously disappointed,” said Fred Telling, chairman and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. “While they won’t be able to join us for our inaugural year in Roswell, we look forward to working closely with the class after this event to ensure their accreditation and return at NCAR 2026. Their decision is particularly poignant as the Unlimited Class’s return to air racing in 1964 launched the storied 59 years of the Reno Air Races, which expanded from the initial three classes to the seven classes available today. Their absence will be felt as we reboot our air racing legacy this year in Roswell.”
While the determination has been made by the Unlimited Class to forego the 2025 event, discussions are already in the works to support the class’s Roswell debut at the 2026 National Championship Air Races. Both organizations will work together to evaluate the class’s unique requirements and will continue to prioritize and support the highest levels of safety, performance, and sustainability possible.
“The decision not to participate in the 2025 National Championship Air Races was not made lightly,” said Steven Hinton, spokesperson for the Unlimited Class Air Racing Association. “The Unlimiteds are deeply woven into the fabric of air racing, and though we’re unable to participate this year, we look forward to working with RARA toward our return to the races in 2026.”
The National Championship Air Races will debut this year as one of the biggest and most thrilling events ever to come to New Mexico. Fans can expect world-class air racing, breathtaking military, civilian and Warbird airshow appearances, a vendor and exhibitor midway with incredible food, and impressive static aircraft displays. NCAR will also feature its expansive STEM Discovery Zone powered by GRADD (Global Robot and Drone Deployment), generously sponsored by the Leprino Company Foundation, offering thousands of local youth free access to hands-on exhibits and interactive learning experiences alongside a day of amazing air racing and aviation thrills. For more information and updates, visit www.airrace.org.
