The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is pleased to announce the top three locations in the running to become the future home of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR). The three finalist cities are Casper, Wyo., Pueblo, Colo. and Roswell, N.M. The National Championship Air Races are a one-of-a-kind air racing event which has brought an estimated $100 million in annual economic impact to its current home in northern Nevada. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the amazing, positive feedback we’ve received from the six bidding communities as a whole, as we search for the future home for the National ..read more

Flight Training Scholarships available to local young adults seeking to join the aviation field The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is excited to announce the launch of its 3rd annual Flight Training Scholarships, aimed at supporting aspiring pilots aged 16 to 20 from the Reno-Sparks and surrounding areas in achieving their Private Pilot License. Committed to fostering aviation education, RARA will award 12 scholarships, each valued at up to $10,000. These scholarships help alleviate the financial barriers that many aspiring pilots face as they pursue their dreams of flight and careers in a ..read more

To our amazing September Family,  As 2023 draws to a close, it would not be overstating to say that it has been one of the most challenging and yet highly successful years in our six decades as the Reno Air Racing Association. Following notice from our airport authority, we announced in March that this would be our last year of air racing at Reno-Stead. While it was indeed a sad and undesirable announcement, you, our fans, volunteers, sponsors, racers, staff, exhibitors, and vendors, all made it clear early on that 2023’s National Championship Air Races would be a grand finale ..read more

Are you ready for some BIG NEWS about a BIG SHOW coming to Reno?! The Reno Air Racing Association is thrilled to announce that the US Navy Blue Angels, the Canadian Snowbirds and the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will all be coming to Reno on October 4-6, 2024! So mark it on your calendar, and then keep an eye out for more details on the event and ticket release coming soon, as we celebrate 60 years of aviation excitement in Reno ..read more

With so much to be thankful for this holiday season, we’re hoping to help spread the love around. Giving Tuesday offers a special opportunity to do just that through our Scholarship Program. The Reno Air Racing Association’s Scholarship Program has a long standing history of success in helping young people get their feet (and planes) off the ground, and begin their trajectory toward a careerin aviation. 2023 saw several new pilots take their first solo flight thanks to the wonderful donations of our many supporters. We aim to make 2024 our best year yet, and the effort toward that begins ..read more

Reno, Nev. – Over fifteen hundred pages of supporting documents have been submitted by six cities vying to become the new home of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR) after responding to a request for proposal distributed by the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) earlier this year. RARA is looking for a new venue for the event after announcing its departure from Reno following the final race in September. The world-renowned event has contributed over $100 million annually in economic impact to the region, while also establishing itself as the global standard for air racing. The National ..read more

The Air Races have been fortunate to garner support and fandom from countless people over the years, and we are grateful for all the ways that love has been shown. But every now and then something extra special comes along that needs to be appreciated a little bit more. Zach Boyd is as loyal air racing fan who has been attending the event since he was 3. He’s been “dazzled at the sights and sounds of the planes battling overhead” and he hopes and prays “that the races will find a new venue once again…so that the future generations will ..read more

Thank you for tuning into the announcement we’ve all been waiting for – the full racer lineup for the 2023 National Championship Air Races! Below you’ll find details about who will be taking to the skies for the Final Flag at Reno Stead Airport, September 13-17. Please note that, to our great disappointment, the Biplanes will not be able to race this year. Among those that are in the mix, you’ll find some fresh faces, as well as some EPIC returns. This show will not only be memorable because it’s the last in Reno, but also because of the tremendous matchups ..read more

It’s with great pride and sadness that we announce that Mr. John Melarkey, Chief Pylon Judge for the Reno Air Racing Association, has retired following a remarkable tenure of service to RARA. A long-standing pillar of the Air Racing community here in Reno, John has been a volunteer in the Pylon Judge group for 56 years.  John spent the last 22 years as the Chief Pylon Judge and through this role he brought leadership, expertise, and encouragement that very few people could match. He challenged the team to take on new roles within the races such as adding additional flight ..read more

After an incredible 46 years with the RARA Towing Group, 17-year Ramp Chief veteran Jimmy Cassidy is retiring from the National Championship Air Races. Cassidy’s exceptional leadership as Ramp Chief included: Jim has always been a complete team player, committed to ensuring that his team safely accomplished its responsibilities. A year-round contributor to RARA’s complex requirements, he was always available to assist with the planning needs essential to successful execution of the yearly Pylon Racing Seminar and the National Championship Air Races. Cassidy’s friendly personality and reputatio ..read more