June 23 - 26, 2009
Unknown nm/Unknown sm
Start: Denver, CO
Terminus: Atlantic, IA
Check the weather at each stop along the route
Registration opens in January!
The Air Racing Experience
By Margaret J. Ringenberg with Jane L. Roth
Margaret has flown in every Air Race Classic since they started, taking first place in 1988. A former WASP with over 40,000 hrs, she learned to fly because as a little girl she was told "Girls Can't Be Pilots." She has been a flight instructor since 1945. She flew the Round the World Air Race in 1994 and the London to Sydney Air Race in 2001. Her flying is highlighted in Tom Brokaw's book "The Greatest Generation" chapter 12. She continues to promote aviation and women who fly.
By Gene Nora Jessen
Air Racer Gene Nora Jessen provides the exciting story about the 20 women pilots who planned and executed the first major female cross-country airplane race. On Sunday, August 19, 1929, these women took off from Santa Monica, California, in their propeller-driven airplanes headed for Cleveland, Ohio, where the race ended on Monday, August 26.
Challenges along the 2,759 mile course included suspected sabotage attempts, sexist criticism of their flying ability and several crashes, one of which caused a fatality. Nevertheless, the race managed to capture nationwide attention and gained new respect for female aviators. Will Rogers dubbed the race the “Powder Puff Derby.” Read more about the lives of those women pilots who, through their skills and camaraderie, started traditions that continue today.
RACING TO WIN
By Mary Pearson
From Planning the Race through Legal Buzz Jobs and Sample Flight Logs many of Mary's words of racing wisdom are still true today.
Mary Pearson volunteered at a stop for the famous Powder Puff Derby in 1952. Inspired by these early women air racers flying through Tucson, AZ, she went on herself to fly in many of the major air races from 1966 through 1976. When the Powder Puff Derby was terminated, she with others of the same mind, moved forward to organize a new race named the Air Race Classic. She served on the ARC board of directors and continued to race for several years. She loved racing and passed this love on to so many. Her friends in the 99's Palomar Chapter established an honor in her name for the Best First Time Racers in the Air Race Classic that was awarded for quite a number of years.
Print or read online, a copy of her "Racing to Win." Keep the racing spirit alive! In return for her book, electronically, donate your monetary contribution to ARC Awards & Scholarships to carry on the tradition she started. Send your donation to ARC Treasurer, Trish Minard, 5848 NE 150thAve, Cheney, KS 67025