News/Press Releases

 

49th AIR RACE CLASSIC Results 

and 2027 Route Announcement

From June 23-26, 2026, 45 teams comprising 104 women pilots took off from Alton, IL, on a historic race to Mount Vernon, IL. In keeping with the 97-year rich history of women's air racing and the 49th race of its kind, the pilots of this year's Air Race Classic were met with challenges surrounding weather, decision-making, aircraft performance, and strategy. After the judges reviewed each team's GPS tracking data, the teams were scored accordingly. 

We are thrilled to announce the Top Scoring Teams for the Competition and Intercollegiate Classes.

Competition Class:

• 1st Place: Team 9 – "Over The Moon!" - piloted by Alicia Sikes & Nancy Rohr in a 1998 Mooney M20J

• 2nd Place: Team 11 - "I think I can…" - piloted by Lara Gaerte & Brenda Thibodeau in a 1979 Cessna 182RG

• 3rd Place: Team 20 - "DC3-1" - piloted by Debi Dreyfuss &  Joy Halcott in a 2005 Cessna 182T

• 4th Place: Team 31 - "SHEnanigans" - piloted by Jeanné Willerth & Julia Rew in a 1999 Cessna 182S

• 5th Place: Team 8 - "OrcaHawks" - piloted by Elizabeth Menozzi & Bethany Carter in a 1962 Cessna 172C
  
  

Intercollegiate Class:

• 1st Place: Team 24 - "Liberty Belles I" - piloted by Sarah Schumann, Moriah Langford & Maddison Simkins, representing Liberty University in a 2024 Cessna 172S

• 2nd Place: Team 28 - "Boiler Up, Hangar Down" - piloted by Alexa Marsh & Annika Bobek, representing Purdue University in a 2021 Piper PA-28-181

• 3rd Place: Team 25 - "Liberty Belles III" - piloted by Chloe Leonard, Ashley Asselin & Ashley Legoas, representing Liberty University in a 2024 Cessna 172S

• 4th Place: Team 38 - "Whiskey Row Racers - Saguaro" - piloted by Yen Pham & Kaetlin Halseth, representing Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott in a 2023 Cessna 172S

• 5th Place: Team 36 - "Whiskey Row Racers - Prickly Pear" - piloted by Sophie Grimm & Liana Curcio representing Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott in a 2023 Cessna 172S

All 2026 Team scores and placements are available on our website: https://www.airraceclassic.org/results/ 

Additionally, the 2027 Route was announced during the Awards Banquet. The 2027 Air Race Classic will be from Auburn, AL to Nampa, ID, flown from June 22-25, 2027. 

Auburn, AL (KAUO); Murfreesboro, TN (KMBT); Indianoloa, MS (KIDL); Claremore, OK (KGCM); Vernon, TX (F05); Tucumcari, NM (KTCC); St. Johns, AZ (KSJN); Page, AZ (KPGA); Mesquite, NV (67L); Yerington, NV (O43); Nampa, ID (KMAN).

The Air Race Classic would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our Stops and Sponsors for the 2026 Air Race Classic. The financial and logistical support provided by the Stops and Sponsors was instrumental in making the 2026 Air Race Classic an unforgettable experience for which our organization and racers are deeply grateful. 

ABOUT THE AIR RACE CLASSIC 

Air Race Classic Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a mission of encouraging and educating current and future female pilots, increasing public awareness of general aviation, demonstrating women's roles in aviation, and preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation. 

For more information, go to airraceclassic.org.
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For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
ARC Publicity Team
Air Race Classic, Inc.
Email: publicity@airraceclassic.org 
Website: airraceclassic.org