The National Championship Air Races is moving to Roswell, NM. For decades, the annual adrenaline-pumping air races was held in Reno, NV.
The days of the Reno Air Races have since vanished into history, but the races will live on. The last Reno Air Races was held in 2023, and ended with a mid-air collision and the tragic deaths of two pilots.
The world’s fastest motorsport will takeoff again in September, 2025.
Why Roswell?
“We’re thrilled to bring our honored tradition of racing to Roswell and are confident that they have both the enthusiasm and resources to expand the future of our races for many generations to come,” said Fred Telling, CEO and chairman of the board for the Reno Air Racing Association.
Roswell beat out several other cities who were under serious consideration.
Many communities showed interest, but only 6 submitted complete proposals. The 3 chosen as finalists were Casper, WY., Pueblo, CO. and Roswell, NM.
Roswell Air Center (ROW), a former military base for the Army and Air Force, can support everything RARA needs. Among many factors considered was a site’s ability to host large crowds, handle hundreds of aircraft and support a large race course.
Time will tell if Roswell / ROW and the area can actually support the crowds expected for the races. Reno-Stead airport (former home of the races) is a much larger city, with far more amenities and hotels nearby. Not to mention casinos and Lake Tahoe. Roswell, in comparison, is tiny.
Inaugural Roswell Air Races
The first Roswell National Championship Air Races will take place in Sep 2025 at Roswell Air Center.
The new races will again feature 7 classes of racing, static displays, military demonstrations and more. Over the years, Reno became basically an air racing / air show hybrid, trying to pull in younger crowds with jets and demo teams and anything cool they could get their hands on.
For more information, visit www.airrace.org
