It’s that time of the year again. I’m off to Reno tomorrow afternoon to join my dad for the air races. What began as a ‘let’s see what it’s like’ trip has become an annual tradition, one that will always be worth finding the time to attend.

Next to Oshkosh, Reno is the event that most embodies general aviation in my mind. The air races are often compared to NASCAR, which brings to mind images of huge, corporate teams and perhaps Ricky Bobby. In fact, it’s small teams, working with limited funds, who make up the majority of the competitors. Many of these planes were built by hand, often by the pilots themselves. The spectators come from all over the world to attend, although a certain section 3 of the stands seems to consist mostly of locals who’ve been there since they were kids.

This is the event for budding aviation enthusiasts and veterans alike. A beautiful location, fast planes, radial engines, and world-class aerobatics – what else could you ask for?