Mt. Vernon Outland Airport in Mount Vernon, Ill., will be the site of three days of exciting aviation events starting July 17 and concluding on July 19 when over 70 unique aircraft start the race of more than 400 nautical miles. The race destination is Wausau Downtown Airport in Wausau, Wis.
The EAA AirVenture Cup Race provides pilots and aircraft builders an 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 Kitty 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 17, with pilots arriving from around the country in a variety of different aircraft. Saturday, July 18, AirVenture Cup Race participants, in partnership with Mount Vernon Outland Airport, will host an airport open house from 10 am to 5 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 aviation. From 10 am to 4 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 19, when more than 70 aircraft are expected to travel the course of 409 nautical miles from Mt. Vernon Outland Airport to Wausau Downtown Airport. The race helps kick off the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in and convention.
Participation in any of the events is free, and spectators are asked to bring items to donate to Lifeboat Alliance Homeless Shelter. Items needed include trash bags, paper towels, paper plates, copy paper, and coffee, sugar and creamer. Collection bins will be located throughout the airport or donations can be made directly to Lifeboat Alliance.
