AirVenture Cup Race

09/18/2026

What is the AirVenture Cup Race? Technically speaking, the AirVenture Cup Race (AVC) is an amateur cross-country air race to kick of AirVenture Oshkosh each year. But we, and our racers, believe it is something more. AVC is open to EVERYONE, meaning if you own something that flies, we have a class for you! This opens up a lot of opportunities throughout the weekend to meet people from all over the United States, and beyond! To us, the AirVenture Cup Race isn’t just a race, it’s an event that allows people to come together, make new friends, new memories and, you might even learn something! Secure your spot next year for the AirVenture Cup Race by following us to know when registration opens!

What is your favorite part about the AirVenture Cup Race? Let us know in the comments!

Photo credit: Jimmy De La Garza, Eric De La Garza, Nathan and Derek Prince, Marli Novy

https://www.airventurecuprace.com/

09/16/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Bruce Hammer, a seasoned competitor in the AirVenture Cup, has missed only two races since his first in 1998! His excitement for this year’s event remains as strong as it was at his first race. Bruce will be flying his Glasair 1-TD, which he built over a three-year period and has continuously modified ever since. Bruce’s latest modification was replacing the original Lycoming 360 engine with a more powerful Lycoming 540. The new engine is positioned back against the firewall, just one inch farther forward than its predecessor. To maintain proper weight and balance, he has selected a 3-blade fixed-pitch prop from Cato, known for their exceptional craftsmanship. This year, Cato is developing a high-performance 2-blade fixed-pitch race prop specifically tailored to match the engine’s horsepower and the airplane drag.

09/14/2026

Happy heavenly 105th birthday to EAA founder Paul Poberezny! Paul had two simple motivations in life: airplanes and people.

Those simple principles grew into the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and have shaped an unmatched global community of passionate aviators.

Thank you, Paul!

09/13/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Marv and Sarah Wessel return for their seventh AirVenture Cup race and fourth AVC campaign with their Glasair III, N9KK. While many teams spend the off-season chasing horsepower and aerodynamic improvements, the Wessels have remained focused on a seemingly endless series of house and hangar projects. As a result, the Glasair remains essentially unchanged and serves as a reliable baseline for future performance improvements. Competing under the banner of the Ravager Racing Team, Marv and Sarah continue to enjoy the camaraderie, competition, and adventure that make the AVC special. The team’s speed modification program remains fully funded but largely theoretical, having been repeatedly delayed by hangar construction. So far, the strategy has been remarkably successful at keeping them firmly seated near the back of the Sport Class standings, where expectations are low and the view of everyone else’s tail is excellent. Marv hopes to eventually make enough improvements to keep pace with the Hammer brothers and the rest of the field. Until then, simply finishing ahead of someone remains a worthy objective.

09/11/2026

Today, we remember 9/11 with Patriot Day. 25 years ago, our nation was permanently impacted. To remember, we are sharing a portion of the song “Where were you” by Alan Jackson. Never forget.

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin' on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children, they lost their dear loved ones
Pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white, and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?
Teachin' a class full of innocent children
Or drivin' down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages
And speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on I Love Lucy reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line to give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

09/11/2026

Throwback Thursday!

These pictures are from 2016, 10 years ago! If you see yourself or a friend, let us know!

For more pictures, visit the https://www.airventurecuprace.com/ and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Photo credit: Mike Lambert, Geoff Sobering

09/10/2026

You all really pulled through for our rookie racers! This is just some of the advice that we got from last weeks post. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Photo credit: Marli Novy and Jimmy De La Garza

09/09/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Pilot Steve Hammer served six years in the Air Force flying a C-130, followed by 24.5 years with Delta Airlines and over a decade with Air Tran before his recent retirement. A long-time participant in the AirVenture Cup, Steve enjoys a good battle against his brother, Bruce, for the top spot in their class. In an effort to slow his brother down, Steve has been very generous in sending Bruce new pizza recipes to try! This year, Steve will be flying his Lancair IV in the AVC race. This aircraft, originally built by Craig and Kirt Wheeler, first flew in 1996. Steve is the third owner, having purchased it from Carl McIntyre. With a total flight time of 2200 hours, this particular Lancair IV is notable for being the only one known to have a Continental IO-520 engine. Steve typically cruises at 210 KTAS, burning 12.5 gallons per hour, which allows for an absolute range of 1500 nautical miles or 1500 statute miles with IFR reserves. Steve and his wife, Anita, take advantage of their plane for travel, flying to destinations such as Florida, Key West, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and many trips to Iowa to visit family.

09/05/2026

Racer Spotlight!

This is my first time attending the Oshkosh airshow, an exciting milestone for me. My passion for aviation began when I was just three years old, and I took my first private pilot ground school course in the 8th grade. I later earned a degree in aviation technology from Purdue University. With over 30,000 hours of total flight time and more than 40 years of experience in commercial flying, I am set to retire from the airline industry in just three months. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work for ten different airlines, gaining a wealth of experience along the way. As I prepare to return to my roots in general aviation, I am particularly excited to watch my daughter follow in my footsteps. She has accumulated 400 flight hours, works as a flight instructor, and recently earned her multi-engine rating. Aviation is truly a part of our lives, and we look forward to the adventures that lie ahead in the skies.

Photo Credit: Jimmy De La Garza

09/03/2026

Throwback Thursday! This video was created for the 25th annual AirVenture Cup Race in 2023. Give it a watch and let us know if you or a friend made it to the official EAA YouTube account! Thank you to everyone who keeps on racing!

https://youtu.be/6v0QQ0QbqFY?si=qMt1NesPa05F8zTX

The annual AirVenture Cup is the unofficial kickoff to EAA AirVentu...