Abingdon Watches Official Timekeeper, Sponsor of Air Race Classic

Alex Small, a senior at Purdue University, performs a preflight fuel check for the aircraft her team used for the 2022 Air Race Classic in 2023. [Credit: Purdue/John O’Malley]

The Abingdon Co., maker of timepieces for adventurous women, is now a sponsor of the Air Race Classic (ARC) and becomes the official timekeeper of the women-only air race that features female pilots flying stock airplanes across the country.

The 2025 ARC begins on June 17 at H.L. Sonny Callahan Airport in Fairhope, Alabama (KCQF). The route takes the racers through George M. Bryan Airport (KSTF) Starkville, Mississippi, Boone County Airport (KHRO) in Harron, Arkansas, McPherson Airport (KMPR) in McPerson, Kansas, Sterling Municpal Airport (KSTK) in Sterling, Colorado, Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport (KGCC) in Gillette, Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (KRKS) in Rock Springs, Jerome County Airport (KJER) in Jerome, Idaho, La Grande/Union County Airport (KLGD), in La Grande, Oregon (KLGO) by way of Willard Field in Tekoa, Washington, before terminating in Spokane, at Felts Field Airport (KSFF) on June 20.

“It is a great honor to be part of one of the oldest air races in the world as the official watch and timekeeper,” said CEO Abingdon Mullin. “The Air Race Classic, like an Abingdon watch, demands attention to every detail in order to succeed. I am excited for what the future holds with our partnership and I look forward to continuing to grow with such an esteemed organization.”

Mullin, who has been a pilot for decades, established Abingdon in 2007, at first as a maker of timepieces for women pilots. The company quickly expanded its line and now includes designs inspired by and created for scuba diving, base jumping, motocross and race car driving, shooting, and equestrian events.

ARC route [Courtesy: Air Race Classic]

The Air Race Classic was established in 1929. Pilots from all over the world are invited to put their skills to the test as the race is focused on pilotage and operational precision rather than speed. The flying is done in VFR conditions. There are handicaps for different aircraft makes and models.

“We are excited to welcome The Abingdon Co. as a major sponsor and official watch of the Air Race Classic,” said Donna Harris, ARC president. “Their innovative and high-quality timepieces are a perfect match for the precision and timing needed in our race, and their focus on empowering women in aviation aligns seamlessly with the mission of the ARC.”

Air Race Classic Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with the mission of encouraging women in general aviation. For more information, visit airraceclassic.org.

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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.