reno air racing association

There is absolutely nothing like the sight and sounds of souped up WW2 airplanes screaming passed you at 500mph! This is truly an experience!

We spent two days at the Reno air races and really enjoyed the experience. This is the granddaddy to the Red Bull Air Races - I believe they started air racing at Reno in the 50's. There are a number of different divisions including jets, sport aircraft and biplanes, but the highlight is the open class of highly modified World War 2 fighter planes which race around pylons at speeds approaching 500 mph. The different heats are scheduled at regular intervals throughout the day, so you can choose which ones are of most interest and find a seat in the stands to watch those. There is plenty to see in between or during the races, with acres of ground display aircraft and various concession booths. There are also aerobatic performances slotted in between the races, so there's never a dull moment. For an extra fee you can get a pit pass to stroll amongst the competing aircraft and pit crews. These are very accessible and a pit pass is a must for at least one day. The event goes for 5 days every September. Only die-hard fans would go for the entire duration. For the average person one or two days would be enough. The highlight would be the last day with the final races, but you may find less crowds and slightly lower prices on the other days and it's still a blast. The airport is a short drive from Reno, so you can stay in Reno at one of the resort hotels and/or combine your trip with visits to other attractions in the area. We were worried about parking but it turned out to be a non-issue with plenty of parking available at a reasonable price.http://airrace.org

What Cani I say......the seats were GREAT, THE FOOD AND CANDY WAS YUMMY. All kinds of aviation nic nac's it was nice to be able to be close to the actual planes that fly in the Air Races!

Exciting day at the races. Like an airshow but with races interspaced with the exhibitions. Worth a day, because you won't see this anywhere else.

If there's any interest in Aircraft, History and Future, this is a must-see stop. Plan a whole vacation or a single day. Great Customer-type Services available.

Don't miss attending the annual Reno Air Races. Fun for the whole family. Spend extra and get the Pit pass. I'm a pilot but I I've been going for many years - even before I became a pilot. o

My whole family waits for the Air Races every year. It is so special to the northern NV area. You have to attend this extremely loud event.

I love the Reno Air Races! It is hands down the best special event in the Reno area. So much to see and do, you can easily spend at least a couple of days there. We always go mid-week and it is not crowded and much more affordable. The static displays are really interesting and you can take photos by all the planes. The races are so much fun to watch and you are so close to the action that it can be really exciting! There are no longer events like this anywhere else and we have meet people from all over the world. I will continue to go to the Air Races as long as they take place!

I've been to the races near Reno many times over the past decade, so I thought I'd add my views on this great event.First of all, the Reno Air Races are unmatched anywhere in the world. If you are at all interested in aircraft racing, this is the place. From biplanes to WWII fighters to jets, the races show it all. So here is my rundown on the day. I usually stay at the Nugget in Sparks. Close and pretty good resort. They run a shuttle bus to and from races each day. Can't recall cost, but was worth it. Parking at site for private car can be free on streets or from $10-$20 depending on location. The city bus runs out to races all day. Good freaking luck with that option. Welcome to screwball heaven if you try that route. I don't recommend it. Tickets can be had at entrance for full price. See website for prices. I have been getting good discount tickets at the grocery store just off freeway near races. No discount tickets for pit pass available. I recommend going early. Ticket booth and entrance can get backed up on main race days. You must have bags searched at entrance. It's an airport, so they have to do it. Important note: no food or drinks, other than water, allowed into race venue. Don't try. They won't allow it. Given the way things are these days, I suppose it is a reasonable precaution. However, you are now subjected to the way overpriced food booths inside. Not sure who to blame for food prices. I imagine race organizers charge a pretty penny for the booth sites. You can get a good deal at American legion booth near aircraft display area. I usually take a folding chair inside to sit at fenced area along tarmac. Being early gets a good spot. Make sure you bring a chair that has a pop up cover. It can get hot out there. The cover will make your time much better. Trust me on this. There is quite a lot of good racing and shows on Thursday and Friday. Of course the main events are on the weekend. But it gets very very crowded on those days. Plus the local grade schools bus in battalions of half crazed kids on weekends. So Friday seems to be the best day. The main event Sunday, but the crowds are just too much for me. If the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels are on schedules, they usually do a routine on Friday and Saturday. The Patriot team also fly a good show those days. For years the military showed up with a ton of cool stuff. F22s, F16s F15s. And a mess of bigger planes. The Army and Marines usually show with lots of displays as well. But since budget cutback, the military pretty much went away. At least that was the case a few years ago. They may be back now. I'm not sure. The pit area is a must see. Tickets are had at pit entrance. They are not cheap. Especially on weekends. But no matter. You must go in once. All the great WWII flying Machines are on display and getting worked over for the races. Plus that is the best location to watch the aircraft fire up those awesome engines. It's pretty exciting to see a line of P-51s start up. Note: the bean brains took away the chain link fencing along Tarmac viewing area. You used to be able stand and kind of rest against fence. No chairs are allowed, so it can be hard on the back standing there for long periods. They really need those fences again.Here's my tip for the photographer out there. As one photo guy to another. Leave the big camera and lenses and tripod home. Just bring the point and shoot for fun. Seriously, unless you own or plan to rent a big 800mm, what's the point? You ain't getting anything worth a darn with the old 70-200. Trust me, take a look at Victor Archers stuff. If you can get that kind of access then go for it. Otherwise just get a good seat and binoculars and enjoy the races. Here's another tip. Leave the uninterested home. If you aren't much into planes, don't screw it up for those who are. Plane nuts can look at aircraft and racing aircraft all day and never get bored. The others will be bored in about an hour. Then they need a ride back to the casino. There goes the parking spot and your good seat and half the races. So do everyone a favor. If you aren't really into the stuff. STAY back at the casino and maybe with some money. We plane nuts need a complete and uninterrupted fix. So there you are. It's a great time. Pretty much high on the bucket list. Don't wait until some year to go. Go this year.Final note. I was at races when the big accident happened and many spectators were killed. It was terrible and I stayed away from races the following year. From what I can gather, race organizers made a number of changes to improve safety. That reality is there is no way to completely eliminate risk. It's a dangerous sport for pilot and spectator. You buy your ticket and take your chances. For this reason I'm not so sure I'd take young kids to the races. When planes go down, and they do, it's pretty ugly. So go at your own risk.

There is nothing like the Reno Air Races anywhere else. Where else could you hope to see highly modified 70-year-old warbirds racing each other at speeds approaching 500mph, 40 feet off the ground, wingtip to wingtip? The sound these planes make as they roar past the crowd is incredible, you can feel it in your chest.I've attended these event for multiple days for the last several years, and for single days for years before that. It's an event where your appreciation increases as you learn more about the 6 different classes of airplanes racing, and especially when you take the time to walk through the pits and actually meet the pilots and the crews who keep them flying.The event is a celebration of aviation, encompassing racing, more traditional air show acts, as well as truly outstanding static displays of historic aircraft.Come prepared for a lot of walking in hot sunny weather, but it's not a bad idea to bring a jacket to put on when the wind comes up, or if some kind of weather comes in.

amazing how many people come to Reno for this...what a great time amazing planes and the pilots...always great fun..

I've attended 22 years of the greatest Air Show on earth! As a pilot, this is the ultimate. The races, the pits, the static displays all make for a fantastic few days. We usually rent a motor home and stay for several days on site.Although a dangerous sport , having witnessed several fatal accidents,it is still the greatest sport on earth. Even with the political tampering of military displays the last couple of years, it still surpasses most all other aviation events. A fantastic event for all ages.

This was our first visit to the Reno Air Races and so glad we went. Thoroughly enjoyed our day, a little more shade over the grand stands would be nice.

I have been to the Reno Air Races several times. I always enjoy the thrill of seeing the planes fly over and especially seeing the old planes along with the latest jets. There is plenty of food and drink for everyone and the exhibitors are fantastic! I expect to continue going for the next few years.

This has been on my bucket list for a long time, finally made it! Good organization, great races, lots of food, drinks and vendors. So happy I finally made it!