East New Mexico News

Roswell city officials and representatives from the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation (RCCEDC) visited Reno, Nevada, to gather insights on hosting the National Championship Air Races and Air Show. This visit was part of preparations for the event's transition from Reno to Roswell in 2025.

The team spent several days in Reno during the final run of the air races there, which included meetings with members of the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA). These discussions covered various aspects of organizing such an event, including race-course design, coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, security measures, vendor management, and community relations.

Roswell City Manager Chad Cole highlighted the significance of this transition. "Based on what we were able to learn and observe, and given the historical scale and economic impact of such an event, the successful transition of the National Championship Air Races to Roswell cannot be underestimated," he said. He noted that state legislature funding is aiding improvements at Roswell Air Center for this purpose.

Fred Telling, Chairman and CEO of RARA, praised Roswell's commitment. “The City of Roswell team’s visit to the Reno Air Show was invaluable as a reconnaissance mission for hosting the National Championship Air Races in 2025,” he stated. “Their engagement allowed them to expand their grasp of the complexity of organizing an event of this scale."

Since announcing Roswell as the new location earlier this year, collaboration between RARA and local entities has been ongoing. Efforts include designing a new course layout and planning infrastructure upgrades at Roswell Air Center.

The National Championship Air Races are renowned among aviation enthusiasts globally as "the world’s fastest motorsport." The event features multiple racing classes alongside flight demonstrations. Although limited to an air show this year in Reno due to certain restrictions, full-fledged races are anticipated for their debut in Roswell next year.

Ticket sales information for the 2025 event is expected later this year.