Reno Air Racing Association - Frequently-Asked Questions

overview of the national championship air races

In September 2008, the National Championship Air Races and Air Show will return for its 45th year with six classes of racing aircraft and a first-class airshow including some of the world's top aerobatic performers and military aircraft, and plus static aircraft displays, merchandise, food and drink, and a closing awards banquet.

racing classes

Current plans are that six classes of aircraft will race at Reno in September, including:

[Click to open larger image in a new browser window.] Image copyright 2000-2002 Mark Johnston. All rights reserved.

Biplanes: small, aerobatic aircraft like the Pitts Special, the Mong, and the Smith Miniplane, racing on a 3.11-mile course at speeds reaching 250 mph.

Formula One: built according to strict technical specifications. The fastest Formula One aircraft reach almost 250 mph on the 3.11-mile race course at Reno.

Sport: high performance, commerically-available kit-built aircraft, reaching speeds of over 400 mph on the 6.39-mile course at Reno.

AT-6: "stock" T-6 Texan, Harvard, or SNJ aircraft. The fastest T-6 aircraft generally post race speeds in the 210-220 mph range on the 4.99-mile course at Reno.

Jet: match racing between L-39 Albatros jets, racing on a 8.355-mile course.

Unlimited: open to any piston-driven aircraft with an empty weight greater than 4500 pounds, generally including stock or modified WWII fighters like the North American P-51 Mustang, Grumman F-8F Bearcat, and Hawker Sea Fury. Speeds in the Unlimited Gold Race on Sunday reach 500 mph on the 8.355-mile course.

For more information about the aircraft, visit the racing aircraft types page.

airshow

The 2008 Air Show will feature the return of the US Air Force Thunderbirds. The participation of other airshow acts will be reported here as soon as arrangements are confirmed.

daily schedule

Events begin around 8 AM each day, Wednesday through Sunday, and include pylon races from each of the classes interspersed with aerobatic demonstrations from some of the top performers in the world, military aircraft demonstrations and fly-bys, and plenty of opportunities to get up-close-and-personal with a wide variety of aircraft.

To assist you in planning your visit to the National Championship Air Races and Air Show, daily schedules are available.

You can generally count on seeing racing events from each participating racing class, plus a full schedule of air show performers each and every day.

Please note that the schedules are subject to change at any time due to wind and weather conditions, mechanical diificulties, or safety and security considerations.

hospitality

Checkered Flag Club logo Many options for enjoying the Races are available, from general admission and pit passes, to reserved seating in the grandstands, to box seating. You can purchase tickets for all five days, or visit for a single day. Memberships in the Chairman's Hospitality Tent or Checkered Flag Club provide opportunities to enjoy guest speakers, private dining and viewing areas, special merchandise, and other benefits.

Enjoy the camaraderie of race teams, the Reno Air Racing Association Board, the staff, and the volunteers that make it all happen at the banquet held Sunday just after the last race of the day - the Unlimited Gold Race.