In a strategic move sure to rattle air racing’s pylons, Sport Class Air Racing has adopted a new set of wide ranging technical specifications.
For over 25 years the Sport class mandated propellers and no more than 1,000 cubic inches displacement from as many piston engines as you’d like. Power adders such as supercharging, water injection and nitrous were unrestricted. Everyone in Sport followed these same technical specifications and were placed in the familiar Medallion, Bronze, Silver and Gold heats based strictly on speed.
The new rules retain propellers, eliminate the 1,000 cubic inch limitation and now define the race planes by the same FAI weight categories used in setting international speed and climb records. There is no engine size limitation; competitors are free to run as much engine as will fit in their desired weight category.
Furthermore, turboprop and electric power are now legal and will race wingtip-to-wingtip against the usual piston engines—just no pure jets. Supercharging, nitrous oxide and water injection remain legal.
Here’s how the Sport Class explains the changes, “Basic Sport Class aircraft eligibility is now defined as FAI Class C-1 Landplanes with an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate (Amateur Built, Exhibition, or Air Racing). All aircraft must be propeller-driven, but the former 1000 cubic inch internal combustion powerplant limitation has been removed. The new class rules now allow internal combustion, turboprop and electric powerplants, or a combination thereof, in Sport Class aircraft…”
“The Class has added aircraft weight limitations, as a safety measure and to create new, competitive divisions. FAI Class C-1a-c aircraft (up to 1,750 kilograms or 3,858 pounds) is the basic limitation. However, FAI Class C-1d-e aircraft (up to 6,000 kilograms or 13,228 pounds) will now be welcomed, if raced in a separate division at Air Race events. This opens the door to exciting possibilities for larger, warbird-like aircraft racing in Sport Class.”
The ramifications of these new rules are immense. Naturally more airplanes now have a class to run in, which should help participation. The addition of turbine power could be a game changer as the lightweight (but thirsty and expensive) turbines promise big power with excellent reliability. Certainly Turbine Legend and turboprop Lancair Legacy owners are no doubt now considering their chances in Sport.
We’re not sure about the efficacy of an electric race plane as at competitive speeds they don’t seem to have the required endurance. The new rules do give innovative builders a place to showcase their work, however.
A big one, of course, is the Sport Class is essentially welcoming Unlimiteds. How the few hot Unlimiteds still in race trim will respond to this new place to race remains to be seen, but the opportunity to run with another sanctioning body could be tempting. And fun for the spectators.
Another source of big iron is the existing Sport Class pilots, at least two of whom already own stock P-51 Mustangs. Toss in the fact the Sport Class and the National Championship Air Races are being held within weeks of each other next fall in Las Cruces and Roswell, New Mexico respectively and it’s clear air racing is in flux. Interesting days, these.
The first opportunity to see the new rules in action is October 25-26, 2025 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The traditional seven air racing classes will run at the National Championship Air Races in Roswell, New Mexico September 7-14, 2025.
Sport Class’ press release sums up their new rules with, “Maintaining, and now expanding, the least restrictive aircraft eligibility rules of any air racing class has contributed to Sport Class’s growth over the years. By embracing a broader range of aircraft powerplants, and looking ahead to creating additional divisions, Sport Class Air Racing will continue to grow the sport of Air Racing, foster innovation in performance and reliability, and will bring an exciting Air Race Fan experience to Air Race Events.”
For more details on the new rules and upcoming events, visit www.sportclass.com.
