AirVenture Cup Race

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...

09/03/2026

Past racers!

What is one piece of advice that you would give to rookie racers?

Let us know in the comments. Rookie racers, drop a question in the comments!

09/02/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Kevin Eldredge and his wife Karen will be competing in this year’s AirVenture Cup in their custom-built and highly modified Glasair III, named G4 Gryphon. Kevin has competed in previous cup races in his iconic Nemesis NXT “Relentless” and has consistently raced at the Reno Air Races since 2002. Gryphon was previously built and raced by Jim Rust and Robbie Grove as Race 24, and has spent many years running well over 400 mph with a twin-turbo Lycoming engine. The Eldredge’s purchased the airframe after Jim blew the motor in 2023, just in time to re-engine with the first liquid-cooled 383 engine built by ASAP Aircraft Engines out of Bakersfield, California. The new normally aspirated engine pushed Gryphon over 300 mph at the final Reno Air Races in September 2023. Kevin and Karen presently own Discount Aircraft Salvage Company in Deer Park, Washington, where they recover and salvage many different aircraft. The business has been around for over 40 years and affords them both lots of time off in the winter! Follow Kevin: www.myAirport.com and Karen’s new business www.beebomb.store

08/30/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Race 6 features the Ramp Rat Racing Lancair Legacy, originally built in 2005 as a stock Legacy with a Continental IO-550 engine. Over the past few years, the aircraft has undergone significant modifications thanks to the collaboration of fellow AirVenture Cup participants, including Dick Keyt, Dave Anders, and Sean Daly. The latest enhancement comes from their sponsor, Innovative Wings, owned by expert engineer and builder Sean Daly (Race 29). They converted the flap system to a track actuation, removing four external flap hinges and thereby significantly reducing drag on the underside of the wing. Additional upgrades include the installation of state-of-the-art cooling plenums (currently at Revision 3), exhaust augmentation, a new ram air induction system, and a complete conversion to electronic fuel injection and ignition using the SDS system.

Photo credit to Jimmy De La Garza

08/28/2026

Did you know?

AirVenture Cup Race is also on Instagram! Follow us at to keep up with all of our posts!🛩

08/26/2026

It's National Dog Day! Let us know if your pup loves to fly by showing us a picture in the comments!🐾

08/26/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Delton (Dee) Child has 44 years of flying experience. He earned private pilot certificate while he was still in high school. He then spent 12 years serving in the United States Air Force, accumulating over 2500 flight hours as a T-37 instructor pilot and F-16 pilot. After his military service, Delton became an airline pilot in 1997. In total, he has over 16,000 hours of commercial and general aviation experience, across a variety of aircraft including the Boeing 727, 737, and 767, in addition to the DC-9, MD-95 (B717), the A319, 320, 321, and 330, as well as a Glasair III, Aeronca Champ, and the Cessna 172, 182, and 206.

08/23/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Tim Slater grew up in a small airport community in northern Illinois. He is now based out of Poplar Grove Airport. Tim runs a small business comprised of automotive, engine development/building, composites manufacturing, and more. He is flying “Cruse Missile,” which has a rich history in Sport Class Air Racing as well as a few showings in the AirVenture Cup. Since managing the aircraft, many enhancements have been made to increase its potential, with the most notable being the EFI by SDS. This is the foundational change to prepare the aircraft for turbocharging. The Cruse Missile sports the logo of ‘The TIE Project’, a new organization founded by Tim with the purpose of enticing the youth to explore their potential in the trades industries. Utilizing exciting activities such as air racing, engine building, design/fabrication, and more, The TIE Project seeks to inspire the youth through their interaction and involvement in The TIE Projects.

The TIE Project