Roswell

[phil65]

Did anybody go to the races ?
I was all set to go, but when the unlimited withdrew, so did I..

Phil

[GRNDP51]

I also backed out (when Sport dropped), but seeing racers posts on social media and hearing from a few attendees I'm connected with, the venue itself seems to be very racer and fan friendly, especially for the first year. Fingers crossed they continue to make the needed and welcomed improvements to the site over the next 12 months for a more well-rounded comeback in 2026 with all 7 classes, likely better attendance in all classes across the board, and the Thunderbirds headlining. Just have to hope that the city of Roswell will scale things for this increase in attendance since doubling or tripling the attendance from this year to the next 1-3 years is going to be no joke on hotels, restaurants, etc.

[phil65]

It would be nice to have another airline besides American flying in there. They changed my flight by more than 5 hours, so they reimburse me. That was the first domino to fall.
The NCAR let me defer my tickets until next year, I guess we'll see what happens..

Phil

[JohnB]

For those of us not in the loop....
I know the T-6, Jet, Biplane, and F1 classes competed, along with the STOL competition, I haven't heard a good explanation exactly why the Sport and Unlimited classes didn't race.

[JohnH]

Its safety. There's no runway 14 going out to the middle of the back course at Roswell like at Reno. I was told by a couple of different people on FB, that Roswell is looking to build this. Without it , it's guaranteed the two missing classes will not be back. This runway lay out is in place at Las Cruces, so that's why Sport is able to run there . You can see this if you go on google maps and compare Stead , Las Cruces and Roswell. It's not opinion or speculation , it's a fact.

[JohnB]

One would think organizers would have recognized that limitation in their site selection deliberations.

[Blackbirdfan]

There were several issues that were brought up by both the Sport and Unlimited Classes last year. One was the lack of a runway accessible from the back side of the course, the other was power lines crossing the proposed course. Both of these are legitimate issues, but I'm surprised the Jets were fine with them.

I haven't heard that there were any plans to build a new runway, but that doesn't mean its not in the works. If there is a new runway built, and the power lines buried, then the venue should at least be a safe venue for the races.

[JohnB]

Sounds expensive unless the racers would settle for a unpaved emergency runway and the power company would foot the bill for the line relocation.

Otherwise, tough to have air racing without their most famous class....puts alk the other site investments into question.

[phil65]

I'm thinking Roswell was the only city that was willing to meet the NCAR half way, if that..

Phil

[lucky52]

Do any of you that attend think the races they would survive if the unlimited and sport classes are unable to return next year?

[phil65]

Could baseball survive without the World Series ?
Could hockey survive without the Stanley Cup ?
Could football survive without the Super Bowl ?

I don't think so..

Phil

[RyanShort1]

Do any of you that attend think the races they would survive if the unlimited and sport classes are unable to return next year?

Yes.

I don't think STOL is going anywhere, for instance, if the Unlimiteds never, ever race again.

I would think that the Formula 1 guys would keep racing, too.

It may not be exactly the same, but it will survive in some form as long as people have a desire to compete.

[leo]

I went. I did Reno from 1976 on, only missed two.
Was it Reno? No. There was a lot familiar with it, just a different setting. There were things I liked about the course (seeing the whole race without ground clutter, longer courses) and a few I didn't like (the backlighting after noon). I felt Roswell did a great job trying to make this a great event. All the locals I encountered were excited for the business and most I met out at the site so they were working on being fans. For me it is a big PIA because I live 5 minutes from Stead but 15 hour drive from Roswell. but I will sort that out and probably keep going.
I missed the unlimiteds and the sports. I understand after being at the site what their concern is but after seeing how much was done for this event I think a cross runway is doable for them. I wish them luck, I hope their enthusiasm can build this sport like Reno no longer seemed able to.

[leo]

I went. I did Reno from 1976 on, only missed two.
Was it Reno? No. There was a lot familiar with it, just a different setting. There were things I liked about the course (seeing the whole race without ground clutter, longer courses) and a few I didn't like (the backlighting after noon). I felt Roswell did a great job trying to make this a great event. All the locals I encountered were excited for the business and most I met out at the site so they were working on being fans. For me it is a big PIA because I live 5 minutes from Stead but 15 hour drive from Roswell. but I will sort that out and probably keep going.
I missed the unlimiteds and the sports. I understand after being at the site what their concern is but after seeing how much was done for this event I think a cross runway is doable for them. I wish them luck, I hope their enthusiasm can build this sport like Reno no longer seemed able to.

[leo]

I went to Reno from 1976 on, only missed 2. So naturally I had to go.
It was not Reno, but there was a lot of the vibe there. A LOT of effort had been put forward by the county to prepare the site. Some of it was a bit hockey (I am an engineer) but it made it into a race site. There is a ton of open area (kind of a pain this time) that can be used for more vendors, more aircraft, etc.
The race courses were longer and no ground clutter so the whole race was easily visible. Downside is it is backlit in the afternoon. In the pits the vie of the last turn is great, and I found the GA area just as nice for viewing. The taxiway directly in front of the crowd is nice.
The people I met who were local were all excited that the races were there, I had no bad experiences with them. Roswell Transit was wonderful. I ended up without transportation once I got there but with a simple call they picked you up and delivered you to the races. In the afternoon a ride back. Free. They did that right!
I'll go back and I hope they can solve issues with the other classes. IF there was a really fast racer left out there I would really like to see what it could do on this course. Same with the sports.