Officials at the Reno Air Races are looking for input from pilots and air race fans as to where the races should relocate.
“We’re looking for a new home for the National Championship Air Races and want ideas from our air race family and beyond to help make it possible,” officials said.
The National Championship Air Races will take place for the final time at the Reno-Stead Airport on Sept. 13-17, 2023, with an air show to follow in 2024, before moving to its future home.
In March 2023, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority made the decision to “sunset the event” citing the region’s significant growth among other concerns, according to officials with the Reno Air Racing Association.
In deciding on where to move the races, officials said that “while we’re hoping for a lot, we absolutely need the following in terms of airport, venue and regional impact:
- Primary and secondary runway lengths of 7,000 feet or more
- Land area with open, unobstructed space to allow for all seven current race classes (roughly 4,800 acres)
- A minimum of 50,000 square feet of available hangar space, as well as office, operations, and briefing space, enough parking, and space for camping
- Proximity to a community with hotel capacity, airline access, and rental car availability.
Airport managers who want to throw their hats into the ring for the new home of the races can find out more at AirRace.org.
Fans who have suggestions about possible locations or additional ideas of things race officials should include or look for in the new location can send a note to [email protected].
Fallon, Nevada is a great place for the Air Show. It is the location of Fallon Naval Air Station and the Navy’s Top Gun School. Motels and restaurants galore, close to Reno, Carson City and Lake Tahoe! Check it out!
California Governor Gavin Newsom will probably support the relocation of the National Championship Air Races from Reno, Nevada to a suitable location within the great state of California. He has placed only one caveat on the move. All planes must be electric powered, preferably solar.
Bring back Mojave Air Races! Why was it ever canceled?
How about the old castle air force base in Merced California Or Beale Air Force base? Far fetched but why not think out of the box …
Wendover
Plenty of lodging, big airport, they’d welcome this event. Halfway between salt lake and Elko. Excellent highway access.
Travis AFB would be great. Close to Sacramento, San Francisco, the East Bay and Napa the wine country.
Plenty of communities on one side of Travis and open space for racing on the other. Since they have airshows they’re experienced with parking security. A great money maker for the all.
Mojave Air and Spaceport would be a good choice. Lots of room, huge open area for the race courses north and east of the airport. Good highway access in all directions.
Minden–Tahoe Airport its close to reno stead airport and its still near all the reno fans
Riverside, CA (has huge nearby populations), Texas (several areas), build a new airport in Fernley, NV (not much more of a drive than exists at Stead). Can RSCVA raise the funds since most money will still be spent in Reno. It’s been moved locally before – the first race was in Spanish Springs, North of Sparks in ‘64.
The races have become a unique Northern Nevada draw – it would pay off to buy enough land nearby to make it permanent.
What about keeping it in Nevada? Why not a small town like Elko. Maybe Yerington or some other small towns. Granted there airports might be small but maybe some construction could be done. It would bring in a lot of money into a small town. A lot of these towns are close to Reno. Hate to see it leave Nevada.
Las Cruces International Airport might fit the needs. Terrain and elevation are similar to Reno-Stead. Runways are sufficient. Ramp space is a concern. Close to El Paso and Las Cruces. 6 hours by car from Phoenix. 4 hours from Tucson. 3 hours from Albuquerque. There is one housing development that might cause an encroachment problem.
Hondo Airport Texas should be a choice…….
* Low civilian air activity within area – often used for acrobatic practice
* Wide airport with three runways – suitable for pylons (also emergency landings from any direction)
* No residents around that can cause concern of safety
* Very large ramp can accomodate fans and planes
* Many areas of open land suitable for parking and motor homes
* Overall flat location all around airport
* Close to major cities
* Centrally located in the United States
Only drawback –
Lodging within host city for those who want to get motel/hotel
Kingman airport in Arizona, an old military airport with 10,000 foot runways, room galore , just 20 min. by air from Las Vegas Nev. beautiful area with beautiful weather and most important very inexpensive area, perfect place to hold air races. fly out and check it out, you’ll be very pleased…
Kingman close to Lodging, population, and open space. Insurance may be less because of the open spaces.Participation from three states:Las Vegas, Nevada, Phoenix, Arizona, and Los Angeles metro area in California. Lodging is nearby. What a great opportunity to continue the National Air Races. We usually drive from Sacramento to see the Air Races, but flying to Las Vegas and driving to Kingman sounds like fun.
Any old abandoned US military air base should fit the bill.
Black Rock in Nevada would wok cool place lots of room
Riverside California might be a good place