June 23 2026, 5:00am

Air Race Classic

Air Race Classic

St. Louis Regional Airport - Race start

8 Terminal Dr.
East Alton, Illinois 62024

  • Time: 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Contact: Air Race Classic
  • Phone: (618) 259-2531
Website Buy Tickets

The 49th Annual Air Race Classic starts at St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton, Illinois; continues for 4 days to various U.S. locations in the Midwest and South; and ends in Mount Vernon, Illinois. This cross-country air race features women pilots of all ages, backgrounds and professions, flying a wide variety of airplanes, with the goal of continuing the tradition of women's air racing.

Start Event ticket sales will begin on April 15, 2026.

The actual air race is 4 days, with every team taking off in order, 30 seconds apart. After the takeoff, teams strategize on how many legs of the race to fly each day and stops for spending the night along the route. Weather, wind, terrain and airplane performance all play a role, since the race must be flown in daylight hours.

In some years, a team finishing the course in 2 days may be the winner. In other years, the team that arrives at the terminus just before the official deadline is the winner. The teams race against their own handicap, so whichever team beats their handicap speed by the most, wins. After 2 days of inspections, debriefings, and meetings with the scorer and the judges, the winners are announced at the final banquet.

Related