News/Press Releases

The Air Race Classic is deeply honored to announce that we have been awarded a restricted matching grant by the Ray Foundation for the purpose of developing and operating our educational program. All funds raised and received by the ARC during the calendar year of 2022 and identified for Education will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000!

The Ray Foundation, Inc. is a private aviation foundation that supports educational organizations whose programs develop life skills such as self-discipline, self-confidence and ownership of one's own decisions. The skills that are developed during flight training can enable students to achieve success throughout their life.

The main mission of the Air Race Classic is to encourage and educate current and future women pilots, as well as increase public awareness of general aviation, demonstrate women's roles in aviation, and preserve and promote the tradition of pioneering women in aviation.

Upholding the legacy of the first women air racers in 1929, the ARC is the longest-running, all-women air race. At the Start and Terminus of each race, one-day youth events are held for elementary through high school students. We introduce the participants to the world of aviation using the application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and provide an opportunity to explore professional possibilities related to the field of aviation.

When the traditional air race was grounded by the pandemic in 2020, the ARC created the first Virtual Race Camp week, which allowed students from all around the world to learn, via Zoom, about airplanes, weather, navigation, communications, mechanics, and aviation careers. In 2021, the ARC Board of Directors created the ARC Air Derby, a Twist on Tradition! This new addition allows teams across the United States and around the world to create their own route; challenges the teams' piloting skills; tests their flight planning and navigation skills; and shares the love of flying with other women pilots.

Heartfelt thanks to the Ray Foundation for this new grant that will allow us to re-imagine and expand our curriculum, teaching materials, training aids, student handbooks and similar items. Would you please consider donating to this fundraising effort to help us expand our reach and continue to give back to the aviation community by encouraging women of all ages to reach their dreams? Make donations here https://www.airraceclassic.org/forms/donations/ and mark it for Education. Thank you! Email finance@airraceclassic.org with questions.