Durant Municipal Airport-Eaker Field, Durant, Oklahoma will welcome pilots to their own “Big Show”.The Sport of Cross Country Air Racing steps into the 21st Century with the first annual multi-event Air Meet. More than a century has passed since the first International Air Meet in the United States took place at Los Angeles, California in 1910. It is now time for the Sport to present an annual meet for all. Cross country air racing is for everyone. This is the Sport of Flying, Flying is the Sport! Any pilot with a fixed wing propeller driven aircraft may compete. The planes line up in classed competition and are timed on a cross country course. There is a class for everyone from a home builder’s pride and joy to the family Bonanza and the mighty P51 Mustang and even the company King Air.
The Sport Air Racing League sanctions the Air Meet. The League has grown since its inception in 2006 and those pilots who have taken part in the League events give cross country racing an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Durant Municipal Airport-Eaker Field. Durant, Oklahoma will be “Race Central”. All flying competitions start and finish here. The airport has a new terminal that is truly 21st century. Taxiways
and runways are set to accommodate any aircraft and KDUA is a full service airport. Adjacent to the airport is the Choctaw Resort Casino. Pilots will be able to bed down here and when not racing, enjoy all the amenities of a world class resort casino. Southeastern Oklahoma State University Flight Department calls KDUA home. Our future pilots will be on hand to assist and learn.Engine start will be signaled for the first event on June 7, 2013 at 10:00am. The 100nm Sport League sanctioned Championship Point event will fly a round robin multi-turn course over the Red River Valley of Oklahoma and Texas. It’s fast, it’s exciting and it is safe. Aircraft will be launched in speed order. The flying is VFR and there is a “Short Course” for aircraft with limited range and/or a top speed of less than 100mph. The gala awards ceremony will be held the evening of the 7 th.
When the green flag is raised on June 8, 2013, the race window will be open for the 600mn Championship Cup event. The three leg course must be VFR and pilots will launch at their discretion to return before the race deadline that evening. The two course turns are designated no penalty stops for fuel or to accommodate race strategy. Pilots will be competing in expanded classes and there will be no League points awarded for this event. The League classes will be used as well as Challenge Classes and the ultimate prize, the Championship Cup Competition. The League classes are based on engine power and landing gear configuration and are divided into three categories: Experimental, Factory and Heavy Metal. The Challenge Class is for the same make and model of aircraft. The Championship Cups will be awarded in major categories and will recognize the very fastest ships and establish the records to be pursued in the future. For example, the homebuilders will name “the fastest single engine normally aspirated” plane. What manufacturer’s name will be beside the “fastest multi-engine propjet”? Heavy Metal will bestow honors on our War birds and Classics.
Whatever aircraft you fly, there is something for you to take part in. Planes of all type will bring their pilots from all over the world come together to FLY and exchange ideas and to have the best time of their lives. If you are a seasoned racer, this is your showcase. If you want to be a racer, this is the place to start.
Vendor space is available on a first come basis. Sponsorship opportunities include advertising in the
official program and named award sponsorships that will allow individuals and companies to honor a favorite.To be part of this inaugural event: www.internationalairmeet.com
About US: High Velocity Events, LLC specializes in producing and organizing cross country open course air racing events. Patricia E. Purcell, manager, is a retired air racer and corporate pilot. For over a decade, Patricia has continuously produced multiple air racing events in the United States and Canada. She served as Vice President of the U.S. Air Race, Inc. from 2001-2007 and since has produced racing events under her own banner. High Velocity Events can manage a one day event or multiple day races. We work with Air Shows and other aviation events and have produced cross country air races in conjunction with the Cleveland National Air Races, Wichita Flight Festival and the Texas Motor Speedway.
Photo Credits:
Photo #1 Caption: Champion Racer, Michael Smith, Brandon, MS, gives the “Thumbs Up” while racing his SX-300 on the open course. Credit: LiveairshowTV
Photo #2 Caption: Experimental Racers lined up and waiting for engine start. Credit: unknown
Photo #3 The “Smoking V” is off and running. Racer, Jim Huff, Denton, Texas flew this N33 Bonanza to a Silver Championship in 2012 Credit: Jo Hunter
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