The Air Race 1 World Cup will arrive in Reno, Nevada from 16-20 September 2015 where the final race of the new international motorsport series will determine the first World Cup winner in the air race class known in aviation as formula one.
The first two races in the 2015 season have been held in Monastir, Tunisia and Lleida, Spain, where many dramatic stories developed in the competitive and closely-fought contest by some of the best race pilots in the world. The final race in the Air Race 1 World Cup will take place at the home of American air racing, the famous Reno Air Races, where the International Formula One Air Racing Association (IF1) will run and sanction the race as it has done for its national championship formula one races for over 50 consecutive years.
After the first two races, Swedish pilot Thom Richard with team Hot Stuff is leading the series standings. Jay Jones and Mike Mundell are close behind and will be chasing Richard in Reno with a pack of other pilots still within reach.
The races in Reno are expected to attract up to 200,000 spectators across the five day event. During the Reno Air Races the US National Champion will also be crowned in the formula one class and five other classes of air race.
In addition to prize money, the competing pilots will be eligible for awards from the series sponsors, including a newly designed race propeller by Catto Propellers, a luxury aviation timepiece from the Official Timekeeper Revue Thommen Swiss Watches, a pair of aviator sunglasses from the Official Eyewear Partner Bigatmo, and high-performance engineering support from the Official Engine Performance Partner Nicholson McLaren.
Mike Crowell, CEO of the Reno Air Race Association, said: “This year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting we’ve had in our 52 year history. We have instituted many exciting new changes and enhancements to the Reno Air Races, including this partnership with the Air Race 1 World Cup, and we are sure that our many fans will have a race week to remember! We welcome the work that the formula one class has done internationally this year and we are thrilled that the long tradition of air racing we’ve built in Reno can be shared globally through the Air Race 1 World Cup.”
Jeff Zaltman, CEO of Air Race 1, said: “2015 has already been a momentous year with some of the best racing we’ve seen in our class on two other continents. All eyes are now on Reno as we approach the final race of the year. We are honored to be included in the longest-running air racing event in the world, the Reno Air Races. We are working in close partnership with the International Formula One Air Racing Association and The Reno Air Race Association to promote air racing to new audiences around the world. With the support of these historic organizations, alongside our European partner associations, we are able to develop the first international series of real air racing competitions – the Air Race 1 World Cup.”
SERIES POINTS STANDINGS – current after two events:
Rank / Pilot (nation) / Airplane / Points1 Thom Richard (Sweden) 1 3M1C1R "Hot Stuff" 442 Jay Jones (USA) 45 Cassutt "Quadnickel Racer" 403 Michael Mundell (USA) 33 Cassutt IIIM "Second Wind" 374 Kent Cassels (USA) 99 Cassutt IIIM "Margaret June" 375 Steve Temple (USA) 87 Boyd GR-7 Panther "Madness" 366 Dave Holmgren (USA) 15 Cassutt IIIM "Last Lap Player" 307 Des Hart (Scotland) 11 Cassutt IIIM "Hart Attack" 298 Christian Guilie (France) 6 Arletty II CG-1 "Arletty II" 219 Philip Goforth (USA) 20 Cassutt "Pooder" 1810 Justin Phillipson (USA) 53 Cassutt "Kermit" 1711 Guy Chereau (France) 31 Cassutt IIIM "L'Herrengrie" 1512 Trevor Jarvis (England) 2 Shoestring "Silver Bullet" 1313 Stanilas Damiron (France) 19 Busard MP207 "Buzz Buzzard" 1314 Bernard Marichy (France) 25 Busard MP205 "Concourse Racing" 1215 Tom Watkins (Canada) 20 Cassutt IIIM "Pooder” 1016 Jim Jordan (USA) 54 Cassutt IIIM "Miss Min" 017 Patrick Gajan (France) 55 CP80 "Le Coyote" 018 Stephen Partridge-Hicks(UK) 40 Cassutt "Miss USA" 019 Terry Gardner (England) 53 Cassutt "Kermit" 020 Vincent Martinez (France) 46 Cassutt "Aquilon" 0
About Air Race 1:
Air Race 1 is pure motorsport at its fastest. It is a thrilling test of pilot skill which is based upon the long-running historic formula one aircraft class. The world’s best race pilots compete and the first one to cross the finish line wins. Up to eight airplanes race against each other simultaneously at speeds of up to 450kph around tight 5km laps on a circuit just 1.5km end to end. Formula one airplanes are a specifically defined class which sets strict parameters regarding wing area, engine size and other characteristics of the design. Air Race 1 launched the first fully international formula one air racing competition in June 2014 in Lleida, Spain. Air Race 1 is the top international title in the sport sanctioned by all three international formula air racing associations in the world. Air Race 1 World Cup is the event name and trading name of Air Race CC Ltd, which is registered in the United Kingdom and has a base of operations in Spain. Air Race 1 is comprised of highly regarded industry-leading experts who have extensive experience in organizing and promoting air racing and air sports competitions on a global scale and who work hard to ensure this race is both safe and a monumental success for all. Note: The sport of formula one air racing has no connection to nor relationship with the sport of formula one car racing nor any other automobile race or organization.
About RARA:
The mission of The Reno Air Racing Association, the organizer of the Reno Air Races, is to perpetuate the most unique air racing event and aviation experience in the world by combining the world’s fastest motor sport with spectacular military and civilian air entertainment. The Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors, a small full-time staff and hundreds of volunteers work together to preserve this unique event. Staff members handle the thousands of details needed year-after-year, planning for the next event before the current one is completed. Approximately 2,500 volunteers serve in capacities ranging from course safety and security to event sequencing and air traffic control to race timing and scoring. For more information on The Reno National Championship Air Races visit www.airrace.org.
