Air Race Classic
The Air Race Classic is an annual transcontinental air race for female pilots. Route lengths are approximately 2,400 statute miles (3,900 km). All flights are conducted in day visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. Each aircraft is handicapped for speed and engine power. The goal is to have the actual ground speed be as far over the handicapped speed as possible.
This women's-only air race started in 1929 as the Women's Air Derby by pilots including Amelia Earhart at the time when female pilots were banned from competing against men.[1] Following the discontinuation of the Powder Puff Derby in 1977, the Air Race Classic was established that same year by a new organization to take its place.
2021-23 Air Race Classic
In 2021 the ARC provided a new opportunity in the world of air racing with the "ARC Air Derby". A one-day event that tests flying proficiency.
In 2023 the ARC Air Derby was opened to male and female participants (it requires either the pilot or the co-pilot to be a certified female pilot or student pilot.) The Air Derby holds many of the same components of the ARC, like its traditions and mission of education.[2]
2019 Air Race Classic
The 2019 race will take off at June 18, 2019, from Jackson, Tennessee, for a 2,538-mile international competition that ends June 21 in Welland, Ontario.[3]
2014 Air Race Classic
The 2014 race will occur June 16–19, 2014 with ten stops in 4 days flying from Concord, California to New Cumberland, Pennsylvania in the quest for the fastest time.
2012 Air Race Classic
The 2012 race will run from Lake Havasu City, Arizona (HII, Lake Havasu City Airport) to Batavia, Ohio (I69, Clermont County Airport), a distance of 2330.2 nm/2681.5 sm.
2011 Air Race Classic
June 17–21, 2011 from Iowa City, Iowa (IOW, Iowa City Municipal Airport) to Mobile, Alabama (BFM, Mobile Downtown Airport), a distance of 2365.4 nm/2722.0 sm. The race was won by Leah Hetzel and Sarah Morris flying a Cirrus SR-20.
2010 Air Race Classic
June 22–25, 2010 from Fort Myers, Florida (RSW, Southwest Florida International Airport) to Frederick, Maryland (FDK, Frederick Municipal Airport), a distance of 2,158 nm. This year's theme was "100 years of licensed women pilots." The race was won by Terry Carbonell of Alva, Florida, Ellen Herr of Fort Myers, and Laura Ying Gao of Spring Hill, Florida.
2009 Air Race Classic
June 23–26, 2009 from Denver (APA, Centennial Airport) to Atlantic, Iowa (AIO, Atlantic Municipal Airport), a distance of 2359.0 nm/2714.7 sm. The race was won by pilots Kelly Burris of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Erin Recke of Seattle in a Beechcraft Debonair.
2008 Air Race Classic
Thirty-three teams completed the race in June 2008, flying a course from Bozeman, Montana (BZN, Gallatin Field Airport) to Mansfield, Massachusetts (1B9, Mansfield Municipal Airport). Intermediate route stops were Miles City, Montana, Aberdeen, South Dakota, Mason City, Iowa, Decatur, Illinois, Frankfort, Kentucky, Franklin, Pennsylvania, and Saratoga Springs, New York.
2003 Air Race Classic
Thirty-six planes participated in the 2003 race from June 21 through June 25 flying over 2000 miles. The race started in Pratt, KS and finished in Kitty Hawk, NC and was amongst several world-wide races commemorating the 100th anniversary of powered flight. f[4] Elaine Roehrig won the 2003 All Women's Air Race Classic with navigator/co-pilot Marolyn Wilson. The women flew a 1965 Piper/Cherokee PA-28-140. [5] [6]
References
- http://www.crossroadstoday.com Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
- "Air Race Classic Air Derby 2023 is going co-ed". Globalair.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- "113 women pilots to compete in Air Race Classic — General Aviation News".
- Hilgenberg, Kathy (July 24, 2003). "Local Plane...In Air Race Classic". No. Rome, Oneida Edition. Mid-York Weekly.
- "2003 TOP TEN WINNERS". Air Race Classic. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- Stronach, Bob, ed. (2018). 2018 Oneida County David and Carolyn Ellis Historical Hall of Fame. Oneida County, Ny: Oneida County History Center. pp. 31–32.