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In1920, newspaper owner Ralph Pulitzer sponsored the first National Air Races to promote his newspaper and flying. The races, which ended in 1949, were held in New York City and then moved to Cleveland. In 1964, the races resumed, this time as the Reno National Championship Air Races.
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Founder
Nevada celebrated the centennial of its statehood in 1964. Nevada rancher and aviator Bill Stead revived the National Air Races as part of that celebration.
Location
For the first two years, the races were held at Sky Ranch, a short dirt landing strip near Sparks, Nev. The races moved to their present location at Reno Stead Airport, the former Stead Air Force Base, in 1966.
Events
Events in the first Reno Air Races included a cross country race, pylon races, aerobatics, skydiving and precision flying performances. Today's events are races in six plane classes, demonstrations and exhibitions.
Scoring
The original scoring method was a points system modeled after that used in powerboat racing. Because this allowed a pilot to win based on points rather than fastest time, scoring was changed in 1965.
Fatalities
There have been 19 deaths in the Reno event's history. The greatest number of fatalities occurred in 2007, when three pilots were killed in separate accidents.
Fun Fact
Stead Air Force Base was named for Bill Stead's brother, Croston Stead.
Tags: Bill Stead, Force Base, National Races, Reno Races, Stead Force, Stead Force Base