46th Annual Air Race Classic
100 WOMEN PILOTS SET TO COMPETE IN 46TH ANNUAL AIR RACE CLASSIC
42 teams will mark 94th anniversary of women’s air racing
The field is set for the 46th Air Race Classic (ARC), the annual all-women cross-country airplane race. Forty-two teams, consisting of 100 women pilots from across the United States and around the world, will take off at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 20 from Grand Forks International Airport, Grand Forks, North Dakota, for a 2,684-statute mile competition across 12 states that ends Friday, June 23 at Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport in Homestead, Florida.
The oldest race of its kind in the nation, the Air Race Classic traces its roots to the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, aka the Powder Puff Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. This year’s ARC celebrates the 94th anniversary of that historic competition, which marked the beginning of women’s air racing in the United States. Today, the ARC is the epicenter of women’s air racing, the ultimate test of piloting skill and aviation decision- making for female pilots of all ages and from all walks of life.
“The ARC Board of Directors and volunteers have been hard at work preparing for our 46th race,” said Air Race Classic President Lara Gaerte. “We look forward to celebrating the 94th anniversary of the Women’s Air Derby as we welcome back veteran racers and meet new competitors at our Start in Grand forks, North Dakota.”
This year’s ARC starts at Grand Forks, North Dakota and ends at Homestead, Florida. Intermediate stops are in Mankato, MN, Ottumwa, IA, Hastings, NE, Ponca City, OK, Sulphur Springs, TX, Jonesboro, AR, Pell City, AL, and Cross City, FL. Teams will depart beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 20 from Grand Forks, North Dakota, taking off one after another, 30 seconds apart. From there, the field will spread out as faster planes move to the head of the pack.
At each of the nine intermediate checkpoints, teams will execute high-speed flybys over a timing line as they race against the clock. Faster planes may cover the course in only two days; slower teams may not arrive at the Terminus in Homestead, Florida until moments before the arrival deadline at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 23.
Contact- Publicity@airraceclassic.org
AIR RACE CLASSIC 2023 FACT SHEET
The Air Race Classic is an all-women, cross-country airplane race that traces its roots to the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, aka the Powder Puff Derby. This is the 46th annual Air Race Classic.
- When is this year’s ARC?
Teams depart at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 20 from Grand Forks, North Dakota and must arrive in Homestead, Florida by 5 p.m. Friday, June 23.
- Who flies the Air Race Classic?
Women pilots of all ages and from all walks of life, competing on teams of two or three. This year, racers range in age from 17 to veteran pilots in their 90s.
- How many teams and pilots are flying the ARC this year?
This year’s field consists of 42 teams, with 100 racers from 28 states and the District of Columbia. Many of those teams represent colleges or universities. There is also a team with multi-generational members from the same family racing together.
- What is this year’s course?
This year’s race covers 2684 statute miles across 12 states.
- Where are the Start, Terminus and intermediate Stops?
This year’s ARC starts at Grand Forks, North Dakota and ends at Homestead, Florida. Intermediate stops are in Mankato, MN, Ottumwa, IA, Hastings, NE, Ponca City, OK, Sulphur Springs, TX, Jonesboro, AR, Pell City, AL, and Cross City, FL.
- How many colleges are competing this year?
18 college and university teams representing:
Auburn University, Indiana State University, Kent State, Kansas State University – Polytechnic, LeTourneau University, Lewis University, Liberty University, Middle Tennessee State University, Minnesota State University – Mankato, Ohio State University, Purdue University, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, University of North Dakota, and Western Michigan University.
- How does the ARC work?
Each race plane receives a unique handicap. The team that beats its handicap by the largest margin, less any penalties, wins. This enables faster and slower planes to compete on an equal footing.
Information provided by- Departments of Aviation and Tourism
