Steve Hinton Becomes Five-Time Defending Champion During 50th Annual Event

The National Championship Air Races wrapped up its historic 50th event on Sunday afternoon with a thrilling Breitling Unlimited Gold championship race that ended with four-time defending champion Steve Hinton edging out one of the best racing fields in the event’s history for his fifth straight victory.

Hinton, from Chino, CA, was piloting the popular P-51 Mustang “Voodoo,” racing against his former plane, the legendary P-51 Mustang, “Strega,” owned by famed air racer, Bill “Tiger” Destefani. By day’s end, Gold Champions were crowned in all six race classes.

"This year was truly an honor for the Reno Air Races,” said Mike Houghton CEO and president of Reno Air Racing Association. “We welcomed some of the best aviators in the industry to race, watch and/or take part in our 50th event. We appreciate all of the fans, competitors, performers, volunteers and sponsors for making this a memorable year.”

Winners included:

• Biplane Class: Tom Aberle, Fallbrook, CA, “Phantom,” 254.24 mph
• Sport Class: Jeff LaVelle, Mukilteo, WA, “Race 39,” 394.33 mph (time of release results unofficial)
• Formula One Class: Vito Wypraechtiger, Bern, Switzerland, “Scarlet Screamer,” 240.26 mph
• T-6 Class: Dennis Buehn, Carson City, NV “Midnight Miss III,” 245.56 mph
• Jet Class: Pete Zaccagnino, Park City Utah, “Just Lucky,” 509.9 mph
• Unlimited Class: Steve Hinton, Chino, CAB, “Voodoo,” 482.1 mph

Held every September just north of Reno, the National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. In the past 10 years, the event has attracted more than 200,000 spectators per year and generated more than $80 million a year for the region’s economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civil flight demonstrations.

FMI: www.airrace.org