FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
EVENT CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: AIRPORT CONTACT:
Eric Whyte, Chairman Joe Coraggio, Vice-Chairman Wright Brothers Avia>on
AirVenture Cup Race AirVenture Cup Race Mitchell Municipal Airport
ewhyte@wi.rr.com joe.coraggio@avcrace.com wba@mitchelltecom.net
414-764-3854 414-841-7354 605-996-1228
EAA AirVenture Cup Race Starts at Mitchell Municipal Airport July 20
Three Days of ExciEng AviaEon Events
Mitchell, SD – July 11, 2018 – Mitchell Municipal Airport in Mitchell, SD will be the site of three
days of exciting aviationon events starting July 20 and concluding on July 22 where over 75 unique
aircraft start the race of more than 400 nautical miles. The race destinnation is Wausau
Downtown Airport in Wausau, WI.
The EAA AirVenture Cup Race provides pilots and aircraft builders the opportunity to race their
aircraft in a safe and fun environment, all while promoting aviation in and over the communities
where the races are held. The first race in 1998 started in Kity Hawk, NC, with 10 aircraft and
has grown to the major aviation event it is today, drawing thousands of spectators.
The three-day event begins on Friday afternoon, July 20, with pilots arriving from around the
country in a variety of different aircraft.
Saturday, July 21, AirVenture Cup Race participants, in partnership with Wright Brothers
Aviation at Mitchell Municipal Airport, will host an airport open house from 9 am to 4 pm,
where spectators will be invited to visit the race pit, inspect the race planes, talk to competing
pilots about the race, and learn more about the airport and general avia>on. From 10 am to 2
pm, an EAA Young Eagles Event will be held, where kids between the ages of 8 and 17 can
experience aviation first hand through free airplane rides.
The air race begins at 9 am on July 22, when more than 75 aircraft are expected to travel the
course of 400 nautocal miles from Mitchell Municipal Airport to Wausau Downtown Airport. The
race helps kick off the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in and convention.
Partcipation in any of the events is free.
All activities are weather dependent and take place at Mitchell Municipal Airport, 5971 Hangar Road,
Mitchell, South Dakota. To learn more, visit www.airventurecuprace.com.
About the EAA AirVenture Cup Race
The EAA AirVenture Cup Race was founded in 1997 in the spirit of recreatng the old Bendix Trophy Race
and is dedicated to aviation advocacy and preserving the rich heritage of cross-country air racing. The
race is held annually in advance of EAA AirVenture. For more information, visit
www.airventurecuprace.com and follow the Facebook page at AirVenture Cup and Twi[er @AvcRace.
About EAA Young Eagles Program
Since 1992, more than 2.3 million Young Eagles have enjoyed a flight from EAA’s network of volunteer
pilots. Kids ages 8 to 17 can experience aviation first hand through a free Young Eagles flight, where they
can see what real pilots do on the ground and in the air. For many, it was the start of their journey to
becoming a pilot, aircraV mechanic, air traffic controller, or many other career possibilities. Learn more
at www.eaa.org/youngeagles .
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership
convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is
available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For
more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org.
