Air racers in the Sport Air Racing League — which gives all pilots the chance to compete in open course air races — got the bad news this week: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season has been cancelled.
“The curtailing of public gatherings across the country has caused many of our 2020 events to either be rescheduled or cancelled outright, and some of those that were rescheduled are still uncertain,” Mike Thompson, chairman of the league. “The immediate future of activity ‘approval’ is so hazy that I am cancelling the 2020 race season.”
He noted that some races may be held as fly-for-fun events, rather than SARL-sanctioned events, where points are awarded.
He added that “at this time” the Mark Hardin Memorial Air Race slated for Sept. 12, 2020, in Terrell, Texas, is still a go.
Other races that were on the 2020 calendar are “not as definite,” he added.
Those who may be interested in following the fly-for-fun races are encouraged to check the league’s website as the events draw closer.