Tag Archives: Air Race 1

Air Race 1 targeting ‘year of expansion’ in 2022

Air Race 1 founder and CEO Jeff Zaltman has set out his vision for an expanded 2022 calendar as the international airplane racing championship gears up for what promises to be a bumper year of action.

The fastest show in the skies has won fans around the world with hugely successful events in Europe, Africa and Asia as well as the United States since the series’ inception in 2014.

And with the sporting industry now opening up again following a bruising couple of years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Air Race 1 is targeting a return to action with a focus on the North American market.

“We have expansion plans for more races in the US next year, we have a number of venues lined up as candidates and we’re working out our calendar as we speak,” said Zaltman.

“We are looking to stage a US Cup series, while we will still maintain a World Cup presence somewhere around the globe, and we are currently searching for the most appropriate venues to hold these events.

“There is tonnes of interest from venues that want to be part of the official series of races as we go into next year. Running about 10 events per year is the eventual plan for future seasons.”

Air Race 1 was initially scheduled to visit San Angelo, Texas this month but the ongoing Covid-19 situation brought about a postponement of the event and now Zaltman is focusing on a return to business as usual in 2022.

“Next year is a foundation year for our series after the global upheaval, but we’re building on top of a great legacy,” said Zaltman.

“It’s a new start, with a new plan, a new vision, and a new opportunity to entertain fans – and that is creating a sense of thrill among all our teams, partners and cities that want to be part of our family.

“We’re the only existing international airplane race in the world that has prior experience running air racing events. We have a transportable package and programme which we can move around the world. We just need the right venue, and we’re there – we set it up, produce and operate the whole show.

“We’re a real turnkey event and we’re ready to go.”

Air Race 1 is currently in talks with a number of destinations – both in the US and around the world – regarding hosting events in 2022 and beyond, while the series is considering locations and dates for a test event in order to demonstrate operations procedures and safety measures.

A significant number of teams have already expressed their interest in competing next season, and Air Race 1 will continue to provide a platform for the most talented pilots and crews in the sport to show off their skills.

Want to get involved?

 

Air Race 1 is always keen to talk to prospective host cities, competitors, partners and sponsors. Get in touch via info@airrace1.com for more information.

Air Race 1 roars into action at San Angelo, Texas this October!

Fans have a chance to witness the international air racing championship up close with live crowds welcomed to the aviation extravaganza at Mathis Field, San Angelo Regional Airport on October 30/31.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

 

The fastest show in the skies will see top air racing teams and world-class pilots compete wingtip-to-wingtip in a stunning location that also has plenty to offer away from the airfield.

Cutting-edge airplanes will dual at speeds of up to 250mph, flying just feet above the ground in the only international air racing series which competitors directly face off against each other at the same time.

Air Race 1 has also today announced The Lions Club San Angelo as its official event organising partner. The Lions Club San Angelo principal Keith Perrine said: “The Lions of San Angelo Texas are happy and proud to be apart of the Air Race 1 event.

“The event will be an exciting entertainment experience for San Angelo and the Concho Valley. Additionally, it will generate funds to support the Lions’ operation of the Eyeglass Recycling Center and The Lions Eye Bank.”

 

Tickets for the Air Race 1 event, which will include the headlining formula one air racing series action as well as a host of other aeronautical activities and demonstrations by The Lions Club San Angelo, start at a discounted $17 per day while there are weekend deals, great value offers on early bookings and concessions available for children. Click HERE for more information and to buy tickets.

The stunning aviation spectacle will be one of the first sporting events re-opened to crowds in San Angelo, a cosmopolitan West Texas city in the midst of ranching country and situated on the picturesque Concho River.

Prospective sponsors will be offered a high-profile platform to promote their brands while the pleasant October climate will provide perfect flying conditions for the all-action event and San Angelo itself has a rich history of art and culture which visiting fans will be able to enjoy.

 

Jeff Zaltman, CEO of Air Race 1, said: “We are overjoyed to be able to announce tickets are on sale for Air Race 1 at San Angelo. We can’t wait to welcome fans back to experience our hugely popular, all-action series first-hand.

“It is fantastic to be getting underway in San Angelo. The West Texas city offers a perfect platform for our world-leading series, with excellent facilities and a stunning locale providing an ideal backdrop for the fastest motorsport around.”

 

Diann Bayes, Vice President of the San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau, said:

“Hosting such a prestigious event like Air Race 1 in San Angelo is an honor and a privilege. We look forward to this exhilarating race at San Angelo Regional Airport/Mathis Field in late October. We know residents and visitors alike will be entertained by this one-of-a-kind racing event.”

 

Air Race 1 at San Angelo is sanctioned by the sport’s US governing body, the International Formula One Air Racing Association (IF1), who are working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities to ensure the event is run safely and in accordance with the sporting rules.

Air Race 1 is also collaborating closely with local authorities to ensure the safety of all attendees and that the event will adhere to all COVID-19 guidelines.

Heat Stroke takes silver victory in Reno

It was a memorable week in Nevada for the Air Race 1 plane Heat Stroke, as pilot Steve Temple guided Race No. 8 to victory in the Silver final at the 2019 National Championship Air Races.

The yellow and orange Cassutt held off the competition with speeds of almost 200 mph hour to take the trophy following a wonderful few days of air racing at the Reno-Stead airport, from 11 to 15 September.

After warming up in the earlier Bronze race, which was won by Chris Weaver in Mach Chicken, Temple set off in the Silver final from the front, and that’s where he remained throughout the eight laps of the 3.1 mile course.

Nevada-native Steve Tumlin, in his lively Cassutt Feisty which won the silver class at the Air Race 1 China Cup last year, was in hot pursuit of Temple and finished in second place. Tom Siegler flying in Doghouse came home in third place.

Air Race 1 CEO and owner of Heat Stroke Jeff Zaltman was delighted with Temple’s win.

In Sunday’s Gold final, Lowell Slatter took the title in Fraed Naught, beating last year’s formula one winner Justin Meaders in Limitless into second spot. China Cup champion Steve Senegal came in third place in his red Arnold-AR6, Endeavor.

Results
GOLD

1 #31 Lowell Slatter, Fraed Naught ​
2 #34 Justin Meaders, Limitless
3 #11 Steve Senegal, Endeavor ​
4 #79 Justin Phillipson, No Strings Attached
5 #4 Jerry Marshall, Tumbleweed
6 #12 Yingnan Zhou, Outrageous ​
7 #54 Jim Jordan, Miss Min ​
8 #81 Des Hart, Sleeper

SILVER
1 #8 Steve Temple, Heat Stroke
2 #52 Steve Tumlin, Feisty​
3 #76 Tom Siegler, Doghouse​
4 #26 Paul Newman, Fast and Easy ​
5 #9 Scott Holmes, Outlaw ​
6 #47 Chris Weaver, Mach Chicken
7 #72 Matt Moore, ​The ACME Special ​
8 #48 Blaire Hamilton, Atomic Pumpkin

BRONZE
1 #47 Chris Weaver, Mach Chicken
2 #76 Tom Siegler, Doghouse​
3 #26 Kent Jackson, Fast and Easy ​
4 #9 Scott Holmes, Outlaw ​
5 #8 Steve Temple, Heat Stroke ​
6 #72 Matt Moore, The ACME Special ​
7 #48 Matt Hughes, Atomic Pumpkin ​
8 #20 Robert Austen, Hindsight is 20/20