International Air Meet-Championship Cross Country Air Races

Sadler, Texas-January 3, 2014 - High Velocity Events, LLC presents the first annual International Air Meet – Championship Cross Country Air Races to be held May 23-26, 2014 at Durant, Oklahoma.Pilots will head for America’s heartland where the Great State of Oklahoma, the Choctaw Nation and Durant Municipal Airport-Eaker Field, Durant, Oklahoma will welcome pilots to their own “Big Show”.

Experimental Planes piloted by their
builder/owners  line up ready to race.
Credit: Jo Hunter

The Sport of Cross Country Air Racing steps into the 21st Century with the first annual multi-event Air Meet-Championship Cross Country Air Races.   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 and provides a proving ground for our aircraft while challenging the pilot’s skills.  This is the Sport of Flying, Flying is the Sport!  Pilots fly a prescribed cross country course with the aim of covering that course in the fastest time.  All flying is done in strict adherence in all FAR’s.   Any pilot with a fixed wing propeller driven aircraft may compete.  The planes line up in classed competition and are individually 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 first race of the meet is a Sport Air Racing League Championship Point sanctioned event.  The League has grown since its inception in 2007 and

“Relentless” the special build NXT Racer
carries Kevin Eldredge around the pylons
and over the long distance open courses.
Credit:  Jo Hunter

those pilots who have taken part in the League events give cross country racing a very enthusiastic  thumbs up.  Cross country air racing is accessible, affordable and safe and supports our General Aviation industry.

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 available 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 there 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 May 24, 2014 at 10:00am.  The 150nm 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 and exciting   Aircraft will be launched in speed

Ann Elise Bennett flies her Cessna 182
and has taken three Sport League annual
point championships.
Credit:  Jo Hunter

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 24th.

When the green flag is raised on May 25, 2014, 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 Classes are 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.   The final awards ceremony will be held May 26, 2014.

Whatever aircraft you fly, there is something for you to take part in.  Planes of all types 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.  Racing once again provides a real world test bed for our planes. Manufacturers will have a verifiable record of what a model will do on a ‘normal ‘ cross country flight with an owner pilot at the controls.    Homebuilders are doing amazing things and here is the place for them to test their exciting builds.    Classic, antique and war birds have the opportunity to compete equitably and show that our past is still alive and well.

Claude Henrickson flies “Sara Jean”,
the P51D Mustang on the distance races
and loves to see competition in his class.
Credit:  Jo Hunter

If you are a seasoned racer, this is your showcase.  If you want to be a racer, this is the place to start.

Make your plans now to attend.

Entries open February 1, 2014.   Entry deadline is April 11, 2014.  

Be part of making the Air Meet a success and step up to be a sponsor.   Sponsorship opportunities include being a named event sponsor, 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.

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International Air Meet

CALLING ALL                  PILOTS,BUILDERS, MANUFACTURERS THIS AIR MEET IS FOR YOU! HEAD TO DURANT, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 6-9 2013!    Champion Racer, Mike Smith, Brandon, MS, gives cross country air racing an enthsiastic "Thumbs Up".  Mike is flying his SX-300 on the race course. Pilots will gather at Durant, OK on June 6-9, 2013.  They come to do what they love best....FLY!   Pilots will enjoy the camaraderie of their peers and share their passion for all things aviation. The International Air Meet-Championship Cross Country Air Races is a venue for the sport of Cross Country Air Racing.  This meet offers two racing events.  Pilots arrive in fixed wing propeller driven aircraft to test their planes and their skills.  Records will be set.  Pilots strive to fly the best and the fastest cross country of their lives.  All will be part of an historic event and take home with them many rewards.  Some rewards arfe tangible, some are even more precious.  This experience is unmatched. Damon Ring's  Vans RV-8 is current reocrd holder RV Gold Class. The competition is timed.  There is a class for everyone.  The family Cessna 172, the Vans that is a builder's pride, the company Piaggio and the P-51 Mustang.  Cross country air racing takes place in the real world of flying and all FAR's are strictly adhered to.  Aircraft are used for the most part for purposeful transportation and racing is in that realm.  Who can make the "trip" the fastest?  A fast plane needs a skilled pilot.  Those skills are possessed by all with a current license.  Participation is open to all fixed wing propeller driven aircraft and all pilots.    Patey Bros, Provo, Utah fly the Lancairs to beat in 2013.  They are powered by 8 clyclinder Lycomings.   The Air Meet is sanctioned by the Sport Air Racing League.  On Friday, June 7, a 100nm round robin race will take place.  This event will use the Sport League classes and points will be awarded toward the annual League championships.The 5 turn course is fast and exciting.  Awards for this race will be the evening of June 7.  On Saturday June 8, the 600nm Championship Cup event takes off.  Racers may start at thier own discretion once the race window opens and must return by deadline.  There are two no penalty stops on the route.  This race offers expanded classes and the Championship Cup awards.  All racers fly the sanctioned League classes but no League Championship points will be awarded.  There are Challenge Classes for 3 or more of the same make/model of aircraft.  The Cup Championships recognize the very fstest in 13 categories.  The categories are for Experimental, Factory and Heavy Metal and are divided by single engine, twin engine, normally aspirated, turbo/super charged and turbine/propjet. Louise Scudieri, Decatur, TX is looking for competitioin for her Eagle Cessna 182 with 275hp. Durant Municipal Airport is ready to welcome all to their new terminal facility.  The Choctaw Resort Casino is adjacent to "Race Central".  Racers have a world class facility to relax and bed down at.  There is a room block for the event offering reduced rates.    Sponsorships make the Air Meet possible.  Please take the time to use the BE A SPONSOR link on the Air Meet web site.  There are sponsorships starting at $50 for a class award and program ads are very reasonable.  Limited vendor space is available free of charge on a first come basis.  Becoma a sponsor and be part of making this historic event happen! ALL INFORMATION:       INTERNATIONAL AIR MEET ENTER NOW USING THE WEB SITE LINK ABOVE CONTACT YOUR EVENT ORGANIZER: Patricia Purcell High Velocity Events LLC ppurcellk@aol.com 903-564-9410

The First International Air Meet of the 21st Century

Sadler, Texas-February 21, 2013 High Velocity Events, LLC presents the first annual International Air Meet – Championship Cross Country Air Races to be held June 6-9, 2013 at Durant, Oklahoma. Pilots will head for America’s heartland where the Great State of Oklahoma, the Choctaw Nation and 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