The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) reported Thursday that Roswell has been named among the top three contenders to host the 2025 National Championship Air Races and Air Show. The other two finalists are Pueblo, Colorado, and Casper, Wyoming.
“There were many, many elements to consider, and we’d like to extend our sincere thanks to all the entrants who put in the time and effort to submit their carefully thought-out proposals. Through a rigorous vetting process, we feel confident that one of these three locations will provide the right mix of elements our event needs to continue to race well into the future,” said Fred Telling, CEO and chairman of the board for the Reno Air Racing Association.
Mayor Timothy Jennings said that he believes local officials have provided RARA’s representatives with highly detailed information about how the city would handle a variety of operations, and provide for an array of needs associated with an event of this size and caliber.
For an event such as the air races, “we have the best facilities. I don’t think anybody can hold a candle to us,” Jennings said.
He also pointed out that another advantage is that Roswell has plenty of people with the expertise needed to carry out this type of air event. The city wanted to express its interest in hosting the 2025 air races and sent a large number of people to the 2023 event in Reno. They made their presence known by showing interest and asking plenty of questions.
And when RARA officials came to Roswell and Southeast New Mexico, Jennings said, “They’ve been impressed by the crew we sent to the air races. We sent people who know what they’re doing.”
Among those representatives Jennings mentioned was Deputy City Manager Mike Mathews, who highlighted safety plans.
Mathews was the chief of the Roswell Fire Department and the city’s director of public safety before becoming the deputy city manager, Jennings noted.
Among other people he made note of who have worked on the…
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