A Bittersweet September: Reflections on Reno Air Racing and the Bonds That Last

This week is hard. Normally, I’d be in Reno, racing alongside my September family, sharing in the rush, the adrenaline, and the camaraderie that comes with air racing. But this year is different. Last year was the final time we would gather to race at Reno, a place filled with countless memories, triumphs, and yes, loss. It’s bittersweet. The thought of not being there this week has left a void that is difficult to express.

For those outside the air racing community, it might be hard to understand the depth of the connection we share. It’s not just about the racing; it’s about the bond we’ve built around our passion for flight, the unique thrill of pushing ourselves and our machines to the limit, and the understanding of the danger and sacrifice that comes with every race. We are more than friends; we are a family. A September family.

These people—my racing family—have become an integral part of my life. We’ve supported one another through triumphs and tragedies, wins and losses, and the grief that comes when we lose one of our own. It’s something indescribable, something only those who have stood on the tarmac, felt the rush of engines, and stared into the vastness of the sky while preparing for take-off can truly grasp.

There is a sense of skill, dedication, and unwavering commitment among the racers that binds us. We understand each other in ways that are hard to put into words. We know the sacrifices, the time away from loved ones, the focus and determination that goes into every flight, every race. But there’s also a sense of community, an unspoken understanding from those closest to us—our pit crews, our families, our fellow racers. It’s a support system unlike any other.

I miss them all this September. The stories, the laughter, the familiar faces that have become such a significant part of my life. It’s hard not to be there, sharing in the energy and excitement of race week. But even though I’m not physically present, my heart is with my September family.

Looking ahead, I’m excited for the next chapter of air racing at the new location in Roswell, New Mexico. It won’t be Reno, but it will still be with the same people who have become so dear to me. The location may change, but the bond we share remains as strong as ever. It’s that connection—our September family—that makes this sport and this community so special.

I am grateful for their friendship, their support, and the incredible memories we’ve created over the years. Here’s to new beginnings in Roswell, and to the lifelong bonds we’ve built along the way.

Until then, I’ll hold on to the memories of Reno, cherishing the moments that shaped me as a racer and as a person, and look forward to the day we’re all back together again, flying fast and flying safe.