Engines roaring, crowds cheering, and hearts pounding, eight aircraft racing wing-tip to wing-tip, 50 feet above the ground at speeds up to more than 500 mph.

This is the fastest motorsport on Earth – a one-of-a-kind thrill you have to see, hear and feel in Reno, Nevada from 14 to 19 September.

The field is set for this year’s STIHL National Championship Air Races with 152 planes and 156 pilots racing for glory in this unique, world renowned air race.

Hours of preparation, certification and practice brings one of the largest fields of racers to this outdoor event. This year boasts an exciting and competitive Unlimited field with ‘Czech Mate’ returning from a five-year hiatus to square off against three time reigning champion ‘Dreadnought’ and fan-favourite ‘Miss America’ for a chance to raise the Unlimited Gold Trophy.

‘Bardahl Special’, a P51 that finished second overall at the very first Reno Air Races in 1964, while winning the Unlimited finale, will also be returning for the first time since 1967.

In the Biplane class, fans will get to root for Maj. Michael Brewer, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird pilot who flew on the demonstration team from 2018–2022 as both Thunderbird No. 3 and Thunderbird No. 4.

While performing at the Air Races in 2019 and 2021, Maj. Brewer had the opportunity to experience the unique and exhilarating atmosphere and this year is making his race debut in No. 44, ‘Big Cat’.

2022 will also mark the second year of competition for the event’s newest racing class, STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) Drag, with 21 competitors looking to take home the championship in the sport that has become a social media phenomenon.

Fans will see demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight, U.S. Navy Legacy Flight, Jim Peitz Aerosports and the GB-1 Gamebird.

On the ground fans will get to experience the National Aviation Heritage Invitational, Military Static Display, GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education Discovery Zone, the racing pits where fans can get up close and personal with the pilots, planes and crew, and much more.

Reno has imbued a true legacy of aviation history, heritage and preservation. The Reno Air Races, officially known as the STIHL National Championship Air Races, is a multi-day event tailored to the aviation community that takes place each September at the Reno Stead Airport a few miles north of the city of Reno, Nevada.

The first Reno air races, in 1964 and 1965, were organised by World War II veteran Bill Stead. They took place at Sky Ranch airfield, a dirt strip barely 2,000 feet (610 m) long, which was located in present-day Spanish Springs.

When Stead Air Force Base was closed in 1966, that field was turned over for public use, and the races have been held there since then.

Air racing is billed as “the world’s fastest motor sport” and Reno is one of the few remaining venues left. The event includes races in six classes and demonstrations by airshow pilots.

For more info

www.airrace.org