End of an era: National Championship Air Races leaving Reno after nearly 60 years

RENO, ​Nathan Finneman Nev. — The National Championship Air Races will be leaving Reno after September's event after nearly 60 years in northern Nevada.
On the air race's website, organizers said that the final race will be held September 13-17 at the Reno-Stead Airport.
A letter sent to supporters and fans said the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority made the decision to sunset the event citing the region's significant growth. The airport authority said there's concerns surrounding economic conditions, rapid area development, public safety and the impact on the Reno-Stead Airport and its surrounding areas.
During the event in 2022, a pilot from California was killed when his jet went down during the championship round of the races. In September 2011, more than 60 people were hurt and 11 people were killed when a racing plane nosedived into the grandstands. The tragedy marked the third-deadliest airshow disaster in U.S. history.

Air racing enthusiasts are inviting the community and race fans from all over the world to join them in sending the Reno Air Races off in style one last time.
The organization will continue to discuss the future of the races but are forever grateful for the decades spent at the Reno-Stead Airport and their partnership with the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority.
The final event is set to return more than 150 planes and pilots as well as several 'hands-on' displays and experiences.