The National Championship Air Races and Air Show

The National Championship Air Races represent a unique event that carries on the tradition of the Cleveland Air Races of the 1920's, 30's and 40's. Now held in Reno, Nevada, the Air Races bring together thousands of enthusiasts to watch and be a part of the fastest motor sport in the world. Every September, the high desert becomes home to hundreds of aircraft, their pilots and crews, carrying on the tradition of closed course racing around a series of six pylons. The aircraft race in six classes around courses varying from 3.1 to 8.3 miles in length, all within sight of the thousands of spectators. In addition, military and civilian air entertainment make the Reno races one of the world's most exciting events, and the colorful sight and thundering sound of the planes passing fifty feet over the desert at 450 miles per hour is a unique and unforgettable experience. Many details and photos can be found at http://airrace.org.

The International Formula One Class

Aside from being the fastest motor sport in the world, air racing is also one of the most expensive. The maintenance and support costs of an unlimited class racer may easily top one million dollars per year, partially borne by large corporate sponsors. For many years, people planned and dreamed of a class of small, reliable, inexpensive racing planes that would widen participation in the sport, but little progress was made until the late 1930's. The International Formula One class grew out of midget aircraft racing, and in 1946 was formally established as a racing class. Since then, the International Formula One racing class has become without question the most successful class in the 86-year history of airplane racing. It has seen more races, more pilots and more airplanes than all other racing classes combined. The original class specification was based on using the inexpensive Continental C-85 190 cubic inch aircraft engine, and the rule on engine size has only been slightly changed since. However, research in aerodynamics and aircraft design have allowed the racers to fly faster and faster, and qualifying times in recent years are 100 miles per hour faster an in 1947. The planes must weigh more than 500 pounds empty, have a wing area greater than 66 square feet, and use fixed gear and prop. Speeds for the single seat planes are astounding and can top 250 miles per hour, with lap speeds over the three mile course of 240 plus miles per hour. Ib Hansen, pilot of the Quadnickel entry last year, said a race is "the most exciting eight minutes in one's life." Detailed information and specifications are available at http://www.if1airrracing.com.