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RNCAR Fundraiser Sept. 14

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  • RNCAR Fundraiser Sept. 14

    The 8/23 RGJ ran an article about RARA's upcoming fundraising dinner. A digital version wasn't available, but Guy Clifton has kindly provided the text for posting. Details also from RARA: http://airrace.org/50thDinner/

    *****

    Gala a 'kick start' for Air Races
    By Guy Clifton

    The Reno National Championship Air Races will be honoring some of aviation and air racing's legends - and fundraising for future air races beyond this year's milestone 50th anniversary event - with its first gala in at least a dozen years.

    The dinner and auction, set for Sept. 14 at the Downtown Reno Ballroom. This year's National Championship Air Races are Sept. 11-15 at Reno Stead Airport.

    "We'll have a large number of honorees that really gives an excellent snapshot of our past 50 years of racing and our country's last 50 years in aviation," said Mike Houghton, president and CEO of the Reno Air Races Association.

    The purpose of the event is a fundraiser for the air races. After the crash in 2011 that killed 10 spectators on the ground and pilot Jimmy Leeward, the event faced daunting financial challenges in order to continue, including a $2 million insurance premium.

    After a safe and successful 2012 event, a three-year $1.2 million title sponsorship from Breitling, and a reduction in insurance premium costs to $750,000, the event is on better footing and looking forward.

    "(The gala) is to make sure we do have enough coming in to give us a good kick start for next year," Houghton said.

    The honorees include three men - Bob Hoover, Daryl Greenamyer and Clay Lacy - who participated in the first Reno Air Races in 1963.

    Other honorees include Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleher; astronaut and space shuttle pilot Robert "Hoot" Gibson; Jon Sharp, the winningest pilot in the history of the air races; Bill "Tiger" Destefani, owner of multiple-time Unlimited Class champion "Strega"; Dick Rutan, the first man to fly nonstop around the world; and World War II Triple Ace Clarence "Bud" Anderson.

    More honorees are likely to be added as the event draws closer, Houghton said.

    "We're very excited about honoring these folks that have helped us throughout the years in different endeavors at the Air Races.

    Retired Gen. Ron Fogleman, a former chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, will act as the master of ceremonies.

    The event will not be a formal gala with everyone required to wear tuxedos.

    "It's designed to be a causal fun evening - not stuffy," Houghton said. "Maybe dressed up will be a button-down shirt or golf shirt and khakis. Some of us might be forced to wear something a little more formal, but it's just going to be a fun, air races event. We want people to enjoy the racing that day and then make their way into town for the dinner."

    The majority of the prizes in the silent and live auction will be aviation related, but there are also some "nifty and unique" prizes, including a trip for two to a live taping of the Tonight Show, that will be up for grabs.

    "We're working on some packages that would include P-51 rides," Houghton said. "Most of the items are going to be pretty much aviation or travel oriented, but that's not to rule out some surprises."

    Houghton said this is the first "gala" event the Air Races has held in a dozen years or more. The last one was themed to honor astronauts and included a number of those who had walked on the moon.

    IF YOU GO
    What: An Evening with Mavericks and Legends, a fundraising dinner for the National Championship Air Races.
    When: 6-9 p.m., Sept. 14
    Where: Downtown Reno Ballroom.
    Tickets: Individual tickets are $150. Tables of 10 at different sponsorship levels ($3,500; $2,500 and $1,500) are also available. Tables and individual tickets can be purchased by calling (775) 972-6663.
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