One of the classes at the Reno National Championship Air Races is International Formula One. These purpose build air racers trace their linage back to the golden age of air racing in the 1930s when they were called specials.
The new IF1 logo as it goes international
AIR RACE 1 WORLD CUP ANNOUNCED – 19 DEC 14
Elliot Seguin rolls his F1 air racers out of the hanger prior to his race at Reno in September.
The 2013 IF1 champion Vito Wypraechtiger is about to pull his racer out of the hanger prior to his gold race.
The start of the IF1 gold race this past September at Reno. Justin Phillipson and Steve Senegal (red plane) head down the runway.
After claiming another Gold championship race, Steve Senegal brings his aircraft Endeavor in for a landing.
The IF1 (International Formula One Association} has been governing the class for the past seven decades and now they moved their sport ahead as it’s gone international.
Last year there was a formula one air race in Europe where most of the pilots were from France. And, after talking with some that were there, it was well received.
Now a group from Britain has joined with the one from France and the IF1 to form Air Race 1. On December 19th they announced a three race series for the Air Race 1 World Cup.
While each event has its own champion the goal is to compete in all the races and win the inaugural Air Race 1 World Cup.
Currently the European dates and venues are being worked on and the schedule should be released some time in January. Of course the 2015 Reno National Championship Air Races is the final event and where the Air Race 1 World Cup will be awarded.
Steve Senegal, the current IF1 president, is very positive about this development and in the press release said, “As the founding body for the sport it gives IF1 much pride to take part in this next phase of growth.”
He’s the current class champion and has been working to encourage more pilots that would like to try air racing to give the Formula One a try as its probably the most cost effective way to enter the sport.
Over the past few years the numbers of F1 racers has declined and its hope this will reverse the trend. And the cup series should bring more European pilots to Reno as well as encouraging some American racers to enter the overseas events.
The press release is attached and for further information readers are encouraged to check out the American website at www.airrace1.com (They also have a Face Book page, airaceone.)
The U.K. site is www.royalaeroclub.co.uk while the French site is www.apaf.info.
Hopefully this will enlarge the field at Reno enough and allow for a Bronze, Silver and Gold race.
