National Championship Air Races return to Roswell for five days

The National Championship Air Races begin Wednesday at Roswell Air Center and run five days through Sunday, bringing Formula One, Biplane, T-6, Sport, Jet, Unlimited and STOL Drag classes to the New Mexico site.

Sport and Unlimited return after sitting out last year's first running in Roswell, so all seven classes are represented in 2026.

Unlimited competitors are flying aircraft including P-51 Mustangs, Hawker Sea Furies, a P-63 and machines built on Yak designs. The Sport field features Lancair Legacys, RVs and racers built specifically for the class.

Reno Air Racing Association chairman and CEO Fred Telling said in a July announcement that the organisation was "ecstatic" to have its "September Family" complete again, describing lengthy talks with the classes to fill the field. The result, he said, lets first-time visitors and long-time followers see the full roster race at Roswell.

Jet racers will fly a new 11-mile layout called the "Mach Course", which organisers say is intended for qualified Jet Class aircraft flying at up to 600 mph. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are set to perform Friday through Sunday.

Pilots can fly straight into Roswell Air Center. Organisers issued a general aviation arrival guide earlier this month, and reservations through AvFlight are required for GA parking.

The races moved to Roswell last year after more than fifty years at Reno, Nevada.