Air Races to Move From Reno to New Mexico in 2025

According to the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), the races will return in 2025 and continue to feature seven classes of racing, static displays, and military demonstrations.

“We’re thrilled to bring our honored tradition of racing to Roswell and are confident that they have both the enthusiasm and resources to expand the future of our races for many generations to come,” said Fred Telling, CEO and chairman of the board for RARA. “While Roswell was chosen, we are truly grateful for the overwhelming support, dedication, and enthusiasm shown by all the communities who submitted their bids to host our event."

In September, fans gathered at Reno-Stead Airport (KRTS) in Nevada for the last air race at that location, which local officials said was a venue no longer able to accommodate the growing sport.

Over the decades, homes and subdivisions encroached upon the airport that had once been remote, sparking concerns about potential accidents that could harm area residents. 

On the last day of the 2023 race, a midair collision involving two aircraft killed both pilots. 

Race authorities said they were determined to find a new home for the sport and  initiated an official request for site proposals in April 2023. 

According to RARA officials, they received 38 inquiries from municipalities across the country interested in hosting the high-profile event. The pool of contenders was narrowed to 11 cities participating in bidders’ conferences, then to six venues submitting comprehensive proposals. 

RARA officials visited each site for evaluation. Among the factors considered were the ability of the venues to host large crowds, as well as hundreds of cars and aircraft, and the racecourse layout. The three finalists were Casper, Wyoming; Pueblo, Colorado; and Roswell.

The 2025 NCAR event will take place at the Roswell Air Center (KROW), located 5 miles south of the city. 

During World War II, the facility was known as Roswell Army Airfield and was an active training base for bomber command. After WWII, it was renamed Walker Air Force Base in honor of General Kenneth Newton Walker, who was killed in action over Papua New Guinea in 1943. 

The base remained open after WWII and became the largest U.S. facility for Strategic Air Command during the Cold War.

It was also the location of the so-called “Roswell Incident” in July 1947 when an Army weather balloon, containing metallic and rubber debris and designed to detect Soviet nuclear tests, crashed near the base. Military officials announced they had recovered a "flying disc," leading to the rise of speculation about visitors from outer space. The military quickly retracted the story, but the damage was done.

The terms unidentified flying object (UFO) and "flying saucers" entered the lexicon as a result of the event and are forever tied to Roswell. There is even a UFO museum in the city as well as an annual festival that celebrates UFOs.

The military closed Walker AFB in June 1967, but the airport remained. In the years that followed, Roswell Air Center was created as the airport converted to civilian operations. It covers approximately 5,029 acres and provides outdoor storage for hundreds of airliners.

The airport has two runways: 3/21, measuring 13,000-by-150 feet, and 17/35, measuring 10,008-by-100 feet.

Race officials said the Roswell location opens a new chapter for the air races as the course will present fresh challenges for racers.

“To know that Roswell will be the future home of the National Championship Air Races is a privilege and honor,” said Mike Espiritu, president and CEO for the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation. “The event landing in Roswell is a testament to the collaboration and support of the region who have worked for the past year to make this dream a reality. We are confident that we can help the event grow and expand for many years to come.” 

Just because future air races will be relocated doesn't mean Reno will no longer host aviation events. Preparations are continuing for the 2024 Reno Air Show, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in October.