Sport Class Air Racing
The home of the most innovative Air Racing in the world!
The mission of Sport Class Air Racing is to deliver exciting, low-level Air Racing to our fans. Our head-to-head Air Racing highlights the new and innovative work being done in the development of high-performance Experimental Aircraft. In order to promote innovation and the development of new aircraft, Sport Class aircraft eligibility criterion is more flexible than that in other race classes. Aircraft eligibility, from our Sport Class Rules, is shown below:
Aircraft eligible for competition within the Sport Class must meet each of the following criterion:
- FAI Class C-1 Aircraft (Landplane)
- Certificated as:
- Experimental-Amateur Built, Experimental-Exhibition, or Experimental-Air Racing
- Phase I flight test must be complete
- Propeller Driven, with Reciprocating, Turboprop, or Electric Engine(s)
- Maximum weight of 1,750 kg/3,858 lb (FAI Class C1-a, b, or c)
- Maximum weight of 6,000 kg/13,228 lb (FAI Class C-1d and e) allowed if flown in a separate Sport Class Division
This very broad set of limitations allows and inspires the incorporation of many ‘out of the box’ design modifications in the interest of going faster. In any given year, Sport Class aircraft can be seen racing with power plants ranging from standard Lycoming or Continental engines found on many general aviation aircraft, to more exotic powerplants, such as radial engines and V8 or V12 engines. Power multipliers like supercharging and turbocharging are very common on the faster aircraft, not to mention exotic fuels, anti-detonation injection and Nitrous Oxide.
This diversity promotes air racing to a vast array of Experimental Aircraft. If your airplane meets the above requirements, you should consider racing. Every year Sport Class races everything from the Vans RV series to fire breathing Super Legacy and Super Glasair aircraft…around the pylons…50 feet off the ground!
Want to Race?
The links below will walk you through the process to become a certified Sport Class Race Pilot!
Pilot and Aircraft Requirements
Click here to see our minimum pilot experience requirements and prerequisites
Training Resources
Click here for links to several training presentations on formation flying, air race training, class rules and race standard operating procedures
Apply to Join Sport Class
Click here to complete an initial contact form to tell us about your flying experience and background, and your aircraft. A Sport Class Officer will review your form and contact you.
Have Questions?
We are here to help. Click here to send a message or question to our Class Officers and Site Administrators. We’ll reach out and answer your questions about Sport Class Air Racing.
News & Updates
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Pylon racing is back at the Las Cruces Air & Space Expo 2024! Sport class will be racing in 3 heats on Saturday and 3 finals (Bronze, Silver, Gold) on...
The City of Las Cruces and its growing airport are proud to host the Air & Space Expo Saturday October 21, 2023 for its citizens and all aviation enthusiasts. This...
At the Central Oregon Airshow of the Cascades in Madras, Oregon this past weekend, the Sport Air Racing Council (“SARC”), a subsidiary of Sport Class Air Racing Association (“Sport Class”),...
The Sport Air Racing Council are excited to confirm that we will be holding a demonstration air race at the 2023 Airshow of the Cascades at 3pm on Saturday, August...
