RARA Offers Refund and Discount to Fans After Sport, Unlimited Bow Out

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is offering its apologies to fans for the double class withdrawal from this year’s National Championship Air Races (NCAR). This comes in the form of 10 percent ticket refunds on existing orders, a 10 percent price drop on all new tickets, and the option to seek a complete refund or deferral to 2026.

The Sport Class was the first to remove its name from the competition. The class includes everything from kitplanes to highly modified Experimentals, and its rapid growth in recent years has added new layers of complexity to course design and safety protocols. The announcement, which came in mid-July, shared that the withdrawal was due to “operational concerns” revealed in recent practice sessions.

“As one of the most diverse and technically demanding classes in our lineup, the Sport Class has distinct operational needs,” said Fred Telling, Chairman and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA). “Though we are disappointed they won’t be flying in Roswell this year, we continue to share a common vision that the Sport Class is an important part of the National Championship Air Races.”

Around a month later, the Unlimited Class followed suit. RARA noted that the decision was not surprising given the logistical hurdles of relocating an event: this will be the first NCAR outside of Reno, Nevada, in over six decades. The class itself cited safety, operations, and sustainability as key reasons for sitting out the Roswell round.

“The Unlimited Class is one of our most iconic, so we are obviously disappointed,” Telling explained. “While they won’t be able to join us for our inaugural year in Roswell, we look forward to working closely with the class after this event to ensure their accreditation and return at NCAR 2026.”

Organizers maintain that the two classes are a vital part of NCAR and are already sorting out their returns to the competition, hopefully by next year. In the meantime, fans can expect a full air racing schedule, military and civilian airshows, and a strong return of the Biplane class at NCAR 2025, scheduled for September 10 to 14 in Roswell, New Mexico.

“Relocating this historical event is no small undertaking,” expressed Tony Logoteta, President and COO of RARA. “The show must go on—and it will. Together with our incredible fans, we are writing the next chapter of the world’s fastest motorsport, and while there will be growing pains, it’s going to be amazing.”

FMI: www.airrace.org