During September 14-18, 2011, the National Championship Air Races and Air Show will return for its 48th year with six classes of racing aircraft and a first-class airshow including some of the world's top aerobatic performers and military aircraft, and plus static aircraft displays, merchandise, food and drink, and a closing awards banquet.
Events begin around 8 AM each day, Wednesday through Sunday, and include pylon races from each of the classes interspersed with aerobatic demonstrations from some of the top performers in the world, military aircraft demonstrations and fly-bys, and plenty of opportunities to get up-close-and-personal with a wide variety of aircraft.
Getting to Air Races by car
The National Championship Air Races are held at Reno Stead Field, approximately eight miles North of the city of Reno off Route 395. Click on the map at right to open a larger map of the Reno/Tahoe Area in a new browser window.
From Northern California via US395:
Upon entering Nevada from California stay on US395 for approximately 4.5 miles to the fourth (4) exit, Stead Boulevard. Turn left onto Stead Blvd and follow the signs to the Air Races.
From the East via I80:
Take I80 west to US395 North. Proceed north on US395, about 8 miles, to Stead Boulevard. Turn right onto Stead Blvd. and follow the signs to the Air Races.
From the South, Carson City and Nevada side of Lake Tahoe via US395:
Take the best route to US395, a new freeway route is open about 8 miles south of Reno, and go north through Reno (395 bypass) to the Reno Stead Airport. Turn right onto Stead Blvd. and follow the signs to the Air Races.
From the West, California Bay Area and Sacramento via I80:
Stay on I80 east for about 10 miles after entering Nevada from the west to US395 North. Proceed north on US395, about 8 miles, to Stead Boulevard. Turn right onto Stead Blvd. and follow the signs to the Air Races.
From Downtown Reno
If you are staying in the downtown core area of Reno:
Proceed north for 7 blocks on either Virginia Street or Center Street and turn right to I80 east for about 1.5 miles to US395 North (Susanville) about 8 miles, to Stead Boulevard. Turn right onto Stead Blvd. and follow the signs to the Air Races.
If you are travelling from the Reno Hilton or the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, take northbound US395 about 9 miles, to Stead Boulevard. Turn right onto Stead Blvd. and follow the signs to the Air Races.
If you are coming from downtown Sparks and John Ascuaga's Nugget, take I80 west to US395 North. Proceed north on US395, about 8 miles, to Stead Boulevard. Turn right onto Stead Blvd. and follow the signs to the Air Races.
The Reno/Stead Airport is approximately 1.5 miles North of US395 on Stead Boulevard. Public access areas lie to the South of Stead Airport's main East-West runway (Runway 8-26).
Auto and Recreational Vehicle Parking
Low-cost public parking for automobiles and recreational vehicles is available on a first come-first served basis located south of Echo Avenue between Stead Blvd. and Military Road [labeled "P12" on the site map]. There is free shuttle service between the parking lot L12 and the main gate. No overnight automobile or RV parking, or camping, is permitted.
There is a special parking area located between Alpha and Bravo Avenues, East of Mt. Vida Street [labeled "L6" on the site map] for vehicles bearing disabled/handicapped plates, with special van service provided.
There are several reserved lots for recreational vehicles:
* at the West End of the field [marked "L1" on the site map],
* south of Alpha Ave. west of Mt. Lola St. [marked "L15" on the site map]. Call the RARA office at 775-972-6663 to reserve a space,
* east of Mt. Vida St. between Cocoa Ave. and Echo Ave. [St. Michael's Church, marked "L13" on the site map].
The reserved auto parking lot straddles Mt. Charleston St. south of Alpha Ave. and north of Bravo Ave. [marked "L5" on the site map].
