Reno

[phil65]

Looks like the last year..

https://www.2news.com/news/national-cha ... 75114.html

Phil

[Lon Moer]

ScreenShot_20230309124758.jpeg (156.01 KiB) Viewed 3306 times

[Zac Yates]

A further article has been published here:

2023 to Mark Final Year for National Championship Air Races at Reno-Stead Airport

Posted on March 9, 2023

Today, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) and the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced that they have reached an agreement for 2023 to be the final year the Reno-Stead Airport will host the National Championship Air Races. The Reno Air Racing Association’s final Reno-Stead Airport event is set to take place from September 13-17 and will feature the seven classes of air racing plus extraordinary military and civilian demonstrations that fans have come to love as well as a celebration of the event’s almost 60 years in northern Nevada.

“We want to celebrate six decades of partnership, competition and airmanship which has brought our local community and aviation enthusiasts from all over the world together in this one-of-a-kind celebration of innovation and history,” said Daren Griffin, President and CEO of RTAA. “While it’s a bittersweet moment for our community and the RTAA, we are committed to working with RARA to ensure this year’s event is a tremendous success as we close this historic chapter for the event in northern Nevada.”

The National Championship Air Races are a one-of-a-kind event that has called northern Nevada home since its founding in 1964. However, RTAA’s concerns around challenging economic conditions, rapid area development, public safety and the impact on the Reno-Stead Airport and its surrounding areas are some of the contributing factors towards the final year of the National Championship Air Races.

“The National Championship Air Races have become synonymous with Reno and, while we are disappointed that this will mark our final year at the Reno-Stead Airport, we are proud the past ten Air Race events have attracted more than one million spectators, generated more than $750 million for the local economy and contributed significant aviation related education and outreach to schools and non-profits all around the area,” said Fred Telling, chairman and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association. “We are thankful to the RTAA for the opportunity to celebrate and share this event’s storied history with the community and their commitment to work with us to make this year’s event one of the best ever. We are in discussions with other venues to explore our options to continue the National Championship Air Races well into the future. We hope to see all of our dedicated fans and many new and familiar faces at the event later this year.”

The 2023 event is set to return with more than 150 planes and pilots as well as several ‘hands-on’ displays and experiences including the GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education Discovery Zone, heritage displays military demonstrations and static displays and more. The event will also mark the third year of competition for the STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) Drag which has become a phenomenon both in the skies and on social media. To learn more about the event’s final year or purchase tickets, visit National Championship Air Races | Reno Air Races.

After a life spent admiring the event from afar I was entertaining the idea of getting to Reno for the 60th anniversary next year, but now I'm investigating how possible it is to get there this September. Lots of emotions right now.

[Warbird Kid]

After a life spent admiring the event from afar I was entertaining the idea of getting to Reno for the 60th anniversary next year, but now I'm investigating how possible it is to get there this September. Lots of emotions right now.

1 year away from 60? That's a crying shame. They couldn't let it go to 2024 and make it a real send off for that location?! I actually have plans to make Oshkosh this year, and this happens!

[Lon Moer]

small update......

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[AG pilot]

How about Pueblo, CO airport for a site. Looks like the area north of the airport is virtually uninhabited, it has two long runways, and a similar altitude to Reno? It's more in the middle of the country, and Colorado Springs and the mountains are not far away. Just my 2 cents.....

[JohnB]

Given the number of airports in the west, there are plenty of places to go.
But...
Local and state approval might be problematic.
And while there may be airfields available, few will have the amenities found in Reno.
In other words, there may be nearby hotels and restaurants, but very likely not as nice as those in Reno which is a year round destination.
In short, Moses Lake (home of the Grant County airport/ex-Larson AFB) is no Reno.

I guess it might come down to how many people go to the air races primarily for the air races and how many attendees go because they are there anyway or go because while they want to experience the races, the rest of the family can keep busy elsewhere?

[sandiego89]

Given the number of airports in the west, there are plenty of places to go.
But...
Local and state approval might be problematic.
And while there may be airfields available, few will have the amenities found in Reno.
In other words, there may be nearby hotels and restaurants, but very likely not as nice as those in Reno which is a year round destination.
In short, Moses Lake (home of the Grant County airport/ex-Larson AFB) is no Reno.

I guess it might come down to how many people go to the air races primarily for the air races and how many attendees go because they are there anyway or go because while they want to experience the races, the rest of the family can keep busy elsewhere?

Yes there are plenty of desolate fields, and frankly that is what is needed for racing. Glasgow MT, Wendover, UT, Moses Lake etc. would all work, but lack the infrastructure I have never been but it does seem to be a largely repeat crowd, not the casual crowd that happens to take it in while they are in town. Agree that amenities are a huge plus, can you believe some significant others like Mrs. Sandigeo89 don't want to hang out with planes and go to musty museums all day? crazy.

[Scott Rose]

A further article has been published here:

After a life spent admiring the event from afar I was entertaining the idea of getting to Reno for the 60th anniversary next year, but now I'm investigating how possible it is to get there this September. Lots of emotions right now.

I'm thinking of the same thing... Time for a Reno Air races WIX Gathering?

[Blackbirdfan]

I'll be there. One last opportunity to shoot the most difficult photography there is.

Here is my album from 2022.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196954411 ... 0304610852

Will

[phil65]

If anybody believes that the Reno air races will simply pick up and move somewhere else, I would say that's a long shot at best. There hasn't been a competitive unlimited race since 2017, and this year doesn't look any different. If we are lucky they will have the races somewhere else minus the jets and unlimited. Maybe even add some other classes like drones or electric. Maybe have a parade of old warbirds racers.

I wasn't planning on going this year, but..
Phil

[Spitty]

Wanaka New Zealand?

[Jesse C.]

I have always wanted to go, and every year it comes and goes, this year, I am going for it!

WIX meeting is on!

[OD/NG]

Sad news, for sure. Having been a spectator there for the past 30 years, I'm not exactly coming to grips with the fact that I might never see W.W.II aircraft race in a competitive environment again.

I know the races have been threatened with encroachment, insurance/liability, and regulatory factors for many years with people saying the death of the races was "imminent". Well, that day has finally come, unfortunately.

I know that RARA has been actively looking for a new site for at least the past 10 years or so, with no such luck. I also know they are currently talking to several cities/areas for a possible replacement venue, but everything is still very preliminary and some initial proposals having not even been submitted yet. There are some MAJOR issues with doing a relocation and the odds stacked against a successful transplant. If they are able to find a replacement venue, imo, it will take several years, possibly longer, before any races could possibly be held. Knowing how much work, risk and money it takes to pull this off, I don't think many cities/airports/areas will want to take on the races for many reasons, not the least of which is liability.

I'm sad to say that I don't hold much optimism for the races ever coming back, so if you've never been, now is your chance and please do go this year. This might be the last time it is ever held and your last chance to see W.W.II aircraft flying hard, competitive, and to their maximum limits. Watching an unlimited Mustang going 500+ mph on a race Merlin at 185" Manifold Pressure (3 times design limit) is a sight and sound you will never, ever experience at an airshow and will probably never be replicated outside of an Unlimited race.

There are many rumors circulating now that some of the past unlimited Gold winners might be making a surprise final "send-off" appearance to cap the end of an era. This year promises to be bittersweet and one of the best races in years. If you've ever wanted to go, now is your time. You might not have another opportunity.

[phil65]

" This might be the last time it is ever held and your last chance to see W.W.II aircraft flying hard, competitive, and to their maximum limits. Watching an unlimited Mustang going 500+ mph on a race Merlin at 185" Manifold Pressure (3 times design limit) is a sight and sound you will never, ever experience at an airshow and will probably never be replicated outside of an Unlimited race."

I'm afraid those days are already over, 400 mph is pretty close.
Hopefully mother nature doesn't interfere and with all the rain/snow California's gotten there won't be any wildfires, like the last time I was there..

Phil