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.