11 August 2025
The world famous Reno Air Races have gone, made their final left turns around pylons in the desert on the outskirts of the city… but hello Roswell Air Races instead!
Yes, the US National Championship Air Races, to give the full title, have moved from Reno in Nevada to Roswell in New Mexico. This year, 2025, will be the first time the races are held at the new location, across the five days of 10 to 14 September 2025.
The organisers, the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), have announced a full schedule of practice sessions, races, airshows, events, exhibitors and a site plan that includes a Discovery Zone.
RARA has a small full-time staff and hundreds of volunteers – more than 1,200 volunteers serve in capacities ranging from course safety and security, to event sequencing and air traffic control, to race timing and scoring.
However, it hasn’t all been smooth behind the scenes. In July, RARA and the Sport Class Air Racing Association announced that the popular Sports Class would not be taking part this year.
Partly that’s down to the Sport Class Air Racing Association (SCARA) revising its rules for 2025.
Originally, the Sports Class was intended for homebuilt aircraft (‘Experimental’ in the US) but SCARA has expanded its aircraft eligibility rules, and aligned eligibility with the FAI Sporting Code for Aircraft Type, Powerplant Type, and Weight categories.
Basic Sport Class aircraft eligibility is now defined as FAI Class C-1 Landplanes with an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate (Amateur Built, Exhibition, or Air Racing).
Photo: Mark Loper
All aircraft must be propeller-driven, but the former 1000 cubic inch internal combustion powerplant limitation has been removed. The new class rules now allow internal combustion, turboprop and electric powerplants in Sport Class aircraft.
The Class has added aircraft weight limitations, as a safety measure and to create new, competitive divisions. FAI Class C-1a-c aircraft (up to 1,750kg or 3,858 pounds) is the basic limitation.
FAI Class C-1d-e aircraft (up to 6,000kg or 13,228 pounds) will now be welcomed, if raced in a separate division at Air Race events. This opens the door to exciting possibilities for larger, warbird-like aircraft racing in Sport Class.
?? The return of glory.
?? The return of greatness.
?? The return of our September Family.
?? The start of a new new chapter in Air Racing.
One month from today, we begin again in Roswell.
Join us for a new adventure, September 10-14.https://t.co/04rLpW7lhv pic.twitter.com/fHmxXYEFb3— National Championship Air Races (@NCAROfficial) August 11, 2025
However, all parties have said they will try to work out the details for a return to Roswell in 2026.
