PRESS RELEASE
The National Championship Air Races (NCAR) has successfully completed its first Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS) at its new home in Roswell, New Mexico. This inaugural session at the new location brought together NCAR leadership, volunteers, and dozens of pilots for four days of instruction, race practice, and certification in preparation for the September races. Established in 1999, PRS has become a core training requirement for pilots who are new to the event or haven’t participated in the past three years. The seminar is designed to ensure pilot safety, sharpen racing skills, and maintain the competitive standards of the National Championship Air Races.
“For our inaugural Pylon Racing Seminar in Roswell, we were thrilled to certify 60 pilots across our six closed-course pylon race classes,” said Tony Logoteta, NCAR President and COO. “Not only did this year’s PRS provide pilots a firsthand look at our new racecourse, but it also marked the return of the Biplane class with an impressive 17 certified pilots. We’re extremely pleased with the outcome and can’t wait to welcome racers back in September.”
This year’s PRS welcomed 73 pilots and 59 aircraft. Of those, 60 pilots successfully completed their certifications, with an additional 12 expected to qualify in September prior to the main event. The seminar also saw 13 student pilots participate for the first time—many of whom received full certification to race. Certifications were awarded as follows: 17 pilots in the Biplane class, 11 in Formula 1, 8 in the Jet class, 17 in the Sport class, 7 in T-6, and 1 in the Unlimited class. STOL Drag, the event’s seventh race category, uses a separate certification process due to its distinct format and course layout.
Pilots who were current as of the 2023 races will have an opportunity to recertify on the new Roswell course in a dedicated session prior to the September competition. A full list of participating racers for the 2025 National Championship Air Races will be released in late July. The 2025 races are scheduled to take place September 10–14 in Roswell, New Mexico. For more information, to sign up for updates, or to follow NCAR news, visit www.airrace.org
