Races are run with up 5 airplanes at a time competing on a two pylon course 1,600 feet in length. Pilots fly six complete laps around both pylons. Key to the competition are the callers. Each pilot has a caller who times the start, calls the pylon turns and helps with engine management. The caller is effectively the co-pilot and it takes true teamwork to get to the trophy races.

USRA racing airplanes are scale models of Reno National Air Races racers, but flying at blistering, faster than scale speeds. Active classes include:

Experimental: Scale models of planes designed and flown after 1950, examples include the Lancair, Polen Special and many other modern designs.

Unlimited: Scale models of the Reno Unlimited Class racers using highly modified engines running on alcohol. Examples include P51 Mustang variants, Super Corsairs, Tsunamis, Bearcats and Yaks. The majority are WWII warbird-based racers.

Formula One Pro: 42% scale models of Reno racers running on alcohol. Examples include the AR-6, GR-7, Cosmic wind, Nemesis, Proud Bird and Pole Cat.

Formula One GT: These are the same airplanes as are used in the Formula One Pro Class but running a stock Zenoah GT80 engine.

Sportsman: 80” minimum wingspan models running on gas, electric or glow with no scale Reno racer requirement. Bring your IMAC plane!

For more information, please visit the USRA Facebook page or website.