The inaugural Canadian International Air Racing Championships will be held in conjunction with the Red Deer International Airshow on July 29 and 30 at that city’s airport. What the city is billing to be an aviation extravaganza, the airshow will be the first held since 2003.
Adding to the excitement that the air racing will generate will be an appearance by the RCAF Snowbirds and the CF-18 Air Demonstration Team. The air races were originally scheduled to take place at the Red Deer Regional Airport from July 7 to 9 but were delayed so they could be held in conjunction with the Snowbirds’ and CF-18s’ appearance.
“We were excited to be selected for the air racing championships, but now we’ll be moving forward with an airshow combined with the air race component,” said the airport’s business development manager Nancy Paish.
The Harvard Historical Aviation Society is also expected to participate.
The air races will feature Formula F1 Pylon Racers and STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) rasce events. Pylon racing is characterized by speeds in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h) and flights at roughly 50 feet (15 m) above the ground.
Some aerobatic performances are also scheduled. The competition is expected to draw participants from across Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. The air race organizers are hoping to grow the event, especially since the cancellation of the famous Air Races in Reno Nevada after this year’s event, although its organizers are pursuing a new venue.
The first Red Deer air show was held in 1983 and every year until 1995, then only sporadically since.