DENVER -- Women pilots will gather in Denver on June 23 to continue what was started in 1929. Twenty women pilots, including Amelia Earhart, made history by entering a transcontinental air race from Santa Monica, CA, to Cleveland. Humorist Will Rogers dubbed the race the "Powder Puff Derby" because each woman took time to powder her nose. The women's determination and tenacity to prevail as aviators established a time honored tradition among female pilots that is carried on today. The race stands as a symbol of a proud heritage. The friendly, competitive spirit, and camaraderie still exist.
Over the years, the race has gone through twists and turns and eventually evolved into the Air Race Classic. Today, it is the only all-women transcontinental air race. Year after year, women come to test their skills as pilots. Participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds, universities and careers, with ages ranging from eighteen to ninety.
The early races were designed to keep the women together so that conditions were consistent for all contestants. The first to cross the finish line was declared the winner. In the present day race, each team is judged on flying ability. Today's race is won based on the efficiency and accuracy a team exhibits in all aspects of the race. All airplanes are assigned a handicap speed allowing planes with varying horsepower to race against each other. Teams are judged based on their performance compared to their airplane's handicap. The objective is to give each team an opportunity to use its best cross-country skills regarding weather and winds. The race also now includes longer legs with a course of 2,359 nautical miles. This year's route includes stops in Liberal, KS; Sweetwater, TX; Lufkin, TX; Russellville, AR; Grenada, MS; Sparta, TN; Jacksonville, IL; Racine, WI; and terminates in Atlantic, IA.
During the Start and Terminus weekend at each year's race, the Air Race Classic presents a program to educate youth about airplanes and aviation. Another major initiative is encouraging and assisting university race teams whereby schools with an established aviation program may compete for the Collegiate Challenge Trophy.
For more information visit http://www.airraceclassic.org.
