A Twist On Tradition Defines Event

Registration is open for the Air Race Classic’s shorter one-day test, the ARC Air Derby, with a new twist for 2024: Co-ed teams are permitted to enter.

The Air Race Classic (ARC), the epicenter of women’s air racing which began 95 years ago with the Women’s Air Derby and evolved through the All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race (aka the Powder Puff Derby) to grow into the competition it is today, created a second event during the pandemic year of 2021 when the ARC was canceled two years in a row. The one-day contest is known as the ARC Air Derby, and the 2024 edition has a twist that breaks with traditional women’s air racing: men will be allowed on teams for the first time.

The contest is similar to the Classic event but shorter: teams must fly a route of their own design within the date range specified. Routes can be, and usually are, within the team’s local area, and the team must estimate their time enroute for each leg and the entire route. They then try to fly it as close as possible to their estimated time following the rules specified by ARC Air Derby Rules. The date range for flying this year’s Derby is September 27 to October 6. Teams must fly their route in one day under VFR conditions.

Teams from around the world must register and have their fees paid for the 2024 ARC Air Derby by September 12, 2024.

FMI:  derby.airraceclassic.org/