Campers along the edge of the Silver Knolls area (aka "Valley of Speed") can be seen in the background of this shot taken from Pylon 8 (click to enlarge)

It's no secret. The fact that areas exist where one might view the event from around the perimeter of the Reno National Championship Air Races site – but as one long time Reno Air Race visitor once told me, it might well be better if this fact had, indeed,  been kept secret.

Also no secret is the annual effort by this Website to help keep visitors who buy tickets to the Air Races to a maximum, while doing our best to help keep those visitors who might be tempted to explore  the bounds of the event site to a minimum. There's an old saying "too much of a good thing" – and, it seems, it may well apply to those who manage to make their way to the territory outside of the course.

A press release by the Reno Air Race Association last week not only clears the air, it might help the Races to continue in cooperation with the neighboring communities..

---Begin Reno Air Race Association Press Release---

For Immediate Release
March 13, 2008
Reno, Nev.

Let's Be Good Neighbors

The Reno Air Racing Association has been notified by our neighbors in the Silver Knolls Home Owner Association and the Lemmon Valley area, that a few air race fans have disrespected the property owners and their property. They have met with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Department as well as the Washoe County District Health Department regarding code violators in these neighborhoods (Red Rock Road and Lemmon Valley Road).

The Reno Air Racing Association has agreed to advise air race fans to try to resolve the illegal camping and trespassing that is taking place. We are asking air race fans to please respect these property owners by not parking or camping on their property unless you have written permission to do so. We ask that you please pick up after yourselves and not leave your trash on their properties. The Washoe County Sheriff and the Washoe County District Health Department will be in the neighborhoods in full force this year issuing citations to anyone who is camping illegally, setting up makeshift showers, digging latrines and any other code violations. Any cars parked illegally will be towed at the owner’s expense. There will be signs posted throughout these communities advising of these changes.

We ask air race fans please respect the adjacent private property, our neighbors and their families and to continue to make it the best Air Race ever.

***end***

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