(The Center Square) – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced last week that Roswell, New Mexico, will host the National Championship Air Races (NCAR) in 2025.
The event will feature seven classes of racing, static displays, and military demonstrations, among other things.
“We’re thrilled to bring our honored tradition of racing to Roswell and are confident that they have both the enthusiasm and resources to expand the future of our races for many generations to come,” Fred Telling, CEO and chairman of the board for the Reno Air Racing Association, said in a press release from the organization. “While Roswell was chosen, we are truly grateful for the overwhelming support, dedication, and enthusiasm shown by all the communities who submitted their bids to host our event. It was incredibly difficult to select a final location as each venue had their own unique strengths and challenges. At the end of the day, we are thankful and deeply appreciative of the teams in Pueblo and Casper who invested their time and efforts in the process.”
New Mexico Tourism Department Acting Secretary Lancing Adams expressed gratitude that the organization selected a New Mexico location for the National Championship Air Races:
“The New Mexico Tourism Department is excited to hear the news that the City of Roswell will become the new home for the National Championship Air Races and the economic prospects the move will present for Southeastern New Mexico,” Adams said in a press release from his department. “Major events have served as critical drivers of tourism and economic activity for communities throughout New Mexico. They offer destinations of all sizes the opportunity to share their unique heritage, natural features, and local businesses with travelers from near and afar who are looking for a little slice of New Mexico True. With the selection of Roswell as the new home for the National Championship Air Races, New Mexico now has yet another great reason to share the Land of Enchantment with the world.”
RARA began fielding inquiries from 38 prospective locations nationwide to host the 2025 event in April 2023. After that, 11 cities participated in bidders’ conferences, and six submitted comprehensive proposals.
RARA officials visited these six proposed sites and factored in the venues’ ability to “host large crowds, handle hundreds of aircraft and support the large racecourse needed for the event,” according to its release.
Based on these factors, Casper, Wyoming, Pueblo, Colorado, and Roswell, New Mexico, were the top three finalists.
The 2025 races will take place at the Roswell Air Center (ROW). It’s a former military base for the Army and Air Force.
ROW is now one of the biggest commercial aviation centers in the southwest.
“In addition to attending the air races, attendees can also enjoy a day at the Mescalero Sand Dunes, visit the Walker Aviation Museum, head to the Spring River Zoo or Carlsbad Caverns, and much more,” the release said. “Roswell’s annual UFO Festival is held every summer where attendees from all over can experience something truly out of this world.”
The NCAR typically occurs in mid-September, but the date for the 2025 event has not been announced yet.
