After huge anticipation the National Championship Air Races are finally running at their new home in Roswell, New Mexico.
And first thing, we must say delivering races of this scale is something of a minor miracle today. Much treasure and behind the scenes work has gone to getting the event to this starting point, especially from the state of New Mexico and city of Roswell, and we wish everyone well with this restart of multi-class pylon racing.
Wednesday’s races for the Formula 1, Biplane, T-6, Jet and STOL Drag classes were the first of hopefully many to come at this immense airport where room of any type—on the courses, ramp, concession, static displays, parking, fly-in parking and camping—is not an issue.
In fact, the generous room plays a huge part in the feel of the event. The hike from parking to grandstands is a long one. There are shuttle tractors and trailers—similar to those at AirVenture—prowling the grounds, but there is still plenty of exercise to be had under the powerful New Mexico sun. The pits are spread out with the Jets, T-6s and STOL Drags just behind the grandstands while the Biplanes and Formula 1 machinery is housed in hangars a half-mile away (we may be exaggerating but not by much). And, as usual, there is that first time confusion for everyone as they get their bearings at a new venue.
The racing and organization have gone without major difficulties according to everyone we spoke with. Certainly the STOL Drag crowd is happy; their course directly in front of the grandstands was said to be “grippy” for the all-important stopping and turning around they do. The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) must be equally happy with the STOL Drags as they ran no less than four sessions of them today.
Late on Wednesday the wind was up, the sun still blazing and the crowd gone for early dinner when the T-6s put on a nice show.
We did not get a chance to debrief with the Jet, T-6 or (many of the) Biplane folks yet, but the Formula 1 and Biplane pilots had only one real squawk: a power pole on the outside of pylon 3. It wasn’t there during Pylon Racing School but it was featuring prominently in the windshields of everyone on the 5 km circuit. Turns out a couple of other pylons on the inner course were moved since PRS, thus putting the racing line close to the power pole. It also means the 5 km course is not quite 5 km, explaining the higher official speeds being posted. That, and RARA is using the “optimal race path” course measuring technique and not the point-to-point method. The optimal measurement gives higher official speeds but can’t be used for FAI records.
Viewing from the grandstands is good. The extra height from the stands and flat terrain at Roswell means the entire race is definitely in view, although we must say the race courses have been moved a little farther away so the action isn’t quite as close. The Roswell courses feature a long front straight, so the planes are wings level passing the grandstands before arcing away into the first turn. This is a nice change from Reno’s belly view and part of the generally larger, less G-intensive courses at Roswell.
As we knew coming in the turnout of race planes is thin. The Unlimiteds and Sport Class are sitting out this first year at Roswell, and the classes that are here average 10 to 12 planes per class. That’s enough to fill a Gold race and some of a Silver, so all the racing heats easily fit into the cooler, less windy mornings leaving the afternoons almost entirely to the—we must say—also thin airshow acts. Static displays are also sparse. There is a C-130 on the ramp along with Fifi, the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29—which rumbled through a high flyby as part of the opening ceremonies. We saw a Corsair and others are apparently hiding here and there on the huge ramp.
As for the all-important crowd: For a new race there were more people than we thought for a Wednesday (this is early in race week, for sure) and they seem equally split between die-hard race fans and curious—and in our informal polling, happy—locals. More than one volunteered big appreciation for the races coming to their town along with genuine excitement at the racing they saw. RV camping seems off to a good start. This is definitely the way to attend the Roswell races as it skips the issue of few hotel rooms and also gives easy access to the beautifully warm evenings and New Mexico sunsets and sunrises. In any case there are multiple RV lots (well distant from the flight line and behind large hangars) with many open spaces yet to be filled. Again, it’s only Wednesday.
To sum it up, an experienced Reno race attendee will see many similarities in organization, signage and so on at Roswell. They’ll find a set of races trying out a new, huge venue, but one already sporting some of the flags and dress-up of a very large show to come. The fields and schedule are thin and there are teething issues for sure, but nothing that can’t be ironed out. The feel is simultaneously familiar and foreign, but with a sense this could work. More as we wrap up on Sunday.
Great photos and an article that was obviously written by a knowledgeable pilot who was there. Looking forward to the updates!
I had plans to go, but with the age thing, I won’t make it. Still, even from up here in Santa Fe you can feel the buzz in local aviation circles, the air race neophytes and the old-timers are fired up seeing Roswell step into the role. The city’s throwing real muscle at it too: new grandstands, Air Center upgrades, all-in support. Hotels are already jammed, so folks will be spreading out into nearby towns. That tells me there’s real interest in keeping the show planted there.
From where I sit, looking southeast, Roswell’s got the skies, the space, and the momentum. Give it a handful of years and it just might grow into the kind of tradition Reno held for decades.