Last Reno... Just released this morning.

[RAD2LTR]

Talk about a kick in the nuts. Not sure what else to say.

Will

[steven556r]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Just saw this as well....I am absolutely heartbroken. I am curious, does anyone have any information on the "potential venues" that they were talking about?

[FlyKidChris]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Just saw this as well....I am absolutely heartbroken. I am curious, does anyone have any information on the "potential venues" that they were talking about?

That's a good question.

San Angelo, TX is/was planning a Formula 1 event. I wonder if that could be expanded to include other classes.

[N22252]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Just saw this as well....I am absolutely heartbroken. I am curious, does anyone have any information on the "potential venues" that they were talking about?

Area 51... You can't go there, but the live feed will be free on TikTok

This is very disheartening news, but it's nice that they're hinting at trying to hold a race somewhere else, not that that's worked well in the past 30 years.

Does anyone have any insight on how this decision came about? Is this an "abundance of caution" response to the accident last year?

[Plane Nuts]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

What a bummer. A friend that lives in Sparks has been saying for a few years that FedEx wants to put a freight hub at Stead. If there is any truth to this FedEx would not shut down operations to hold the air races.

[cragdweller]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Just gutted. End of an era. So disappointed.

[GRNDP51]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Does anyone have any insight on how this decision came about? Is this an "abundance of caution" response to the accident last year?

I would say this has a part in this, yes. RARA has got out of the financial hardships before, this is likely more than that. The airport association pretty much saying they won't allow racing at Stead anymore is a deep cut, and of course they have their reasons - whether that's encroachment, accidents painting "Reno-Tahoe" in a negative light, etc., this was already a slippery slope that was probably just fast forwarded with the dramatic accident last year. Also should note that there's talk that we don't have a title sponsor this year. Again, this is likely more than just financial burden, but couple that in as well and it starts to add up.

I don't know if Brad chimes in here much anymore, but I believe reading a pretty detailed report he wrote out regarding pretty much searching from coast to coast for a good venue, and coming up empty handed. The positive side is maybe now since there's no choice but to move, a location that has a lot of space, nearby amenities/hotels, good weather, etc., would be a starting point, and the airport can be adapted to fit racing (extra runway(s), large ramp space).

[marada mx3]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Can't think of much else to say except "That sucks!".
Just throwing locations out there, where did they have the Phoenix races back in the day? Is that area now too populated or otherwise not viable? What about the Tunica, MS site that had races several years ago? Would a lakefront racecourse have any viability (Cleveland, Milwaukee, etc), or any coastal location?

[GRNDP51]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

A little more detail than the memo that's floating around -

https://airrace.org/news/2023-to-mark-final-year-for-national-championship-air-races-at-reno-stead-airport/

[V1670]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Bummer: I had a feeling this was coming. Just didn't expect it so soon.

As others have mentioned: what about previous OTHER venues? Specifically. Mojave. Why did the racing cease at this site?
As had been mentioned before, the lack of amenities at the Mojave location. Us "hard-core" guys would show up ANYWHERE, but, for the races to survive and prosper, you need the crowds. And the crowds just weren't at Mojave.

Just spinning my wheels here, but what about another decomissoned base........like Castle. I know...it'd be about like Mojave-North............but geeezzz: what're we gonna do?

[flyingjibus]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

HEAVY SIGH


Been around this sport for 40 years. Watched every alternative location fail, and read pages and pages of discussions about what is needed in order for it to work somewhere else. It will be a very difficult task if its even possible. The fact that there wont be a reno event for people to say "I will just go to that instead" may be the only saving grace.


I have 40 years of precious memories that will never go away and I am eternally grateful to everyone who helped make them, sometimes at great cost.

Gentlemen, you HAD a race.

gonna go weep for a bit somewhere.

[wadeh]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

I'm not sure what to say right now.

I heard about this from my wife before I saw it here. She's on her way to a mission trip, and called me when she heard. What a gut punch. I knew that this day would come, but like others, I didn't think it would be quite this soon.

This event has been a important part of our family lives for at least 25 years. My sons have looked forward to September at Stead for their entire lives, and their wives are also into it. And we've hooked a few friends and other family as well. After this year, there is going to be a gaping hole in mid-September for the foreseeable future.

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Maybe they could look around the Las Vegas desert area or Mesquite NV as they have 3 casinos rhere. Hopefully they find somewhere to hold it.

[N22252]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Maybe they could look around the Las Vegas desert area or Mesquite NV as they have 3 casinos rhere. Hopefully they find somewhere to hold it.

Wendover is a cool spot with long runways, but most people would have to fly into Salt Lake City and drive a couple hours to see the show. I'd do it, but I'm not most people

[mitchcarley]

Re: Last Reno... Just released this morning.

Go Doc Go!
Red White & Blue all the way!