Sad but true. There are many possible reasons. My personal thought is that the area around Reno Stead airport is booming with population. Most of the races form up over a now very populated area. Also, the land that the airport has is now very valuable. Another reason is the airport is home to a number of fire fighting air operations. For the time of the races, these assetts have to be moved elsewhere in a time where western fires are usually burning. (This year's show was incredible clear of smoke unlike the last two years.)

From what was said by those in the know, there are six new sites that have responded to RFPs for racing in 2025. The racing will continue.

One of the first aircraft I noted last week at the National Air Races in Reno last week, was the P-51C aircraft named Thunderbird. Like most aircraft at the races, the paint job was magnificent. But this job was more than magnificent. Something different. As I was to find out, this was not a racing machine. It was there for show. And a story. Thunderbird’s racing days are over.
It's first flight was a few months ago just prior to EAA's Oshkosh where it made it public debut after many years of restoration. From what I can tell, it was more than fifty years between it's last flight and first flight after restoration.
There are many points of interest - I'll limit these to what I think are three of the most interesting.
1. The aircraft was purchased after WWII by THE Jimmy Stewart as a racing aircraft. The aircraft won the Bendix Trophy in 1949 with a speed of 470 MPH between what is now Edwards AFB and Cleveland, OH.
2. Jimmy Stewart sold the aircraft for $1 to Jackie Cochran in 1949. Jackie Cochran used the aircraft to break two FIA world speed records at 437 MPH. In 1953 Jackie sold the aircraft back to Jimmy Stewart for $1.
3. In what is probably the most interesting part of the aircraft life, Thunderbird was used to bring film of Queen Elizibeth's coronation from the UK to the US in 1953. CBS hired the aircraft to carry the film across the ocean. In a side story, ABS hired another P-51 to bring their copy. CBS won the race - but ABC and NBC aired the film first. Not Thunderbird's fault.
Anyway, interesting aircraft with an interesting story. Was happy to watch it fly during the week.
A few shots of Thunderbird. Maybe more later. (Lots of other photos to process from the week of races.)

P-51C Thunderbird Low Bank


P-51C Thunderbird Ramp Taxi


P-51C Thunderbird Low Level Pass


P-51C Thunderbird Reno Finish Line