Air Racing

Speed and Glory in the Air!

The aerial populism of Depression-era America shaped air racing in the 1930s. Self-reliant individuals took readily available technologies and fielded air racers to achieve fame and fortune. The National Air Races found a consistent home at Cleveland, Ohio, but other major American cities also hosted them.

Races

 

Marking the Course

At air races, brightly colored pylons marked the course, creating a race track in the sky. In Cleveland, they were a red and white checkerboard. Most races had three pylons in a triangular pattern. Usually the race judges and members of the press stood on the pylons.

Pilots tried to fly as close as possible to the pylons to cut their time. Racer Jimmy Doolittle perfected the art of rounding the pylons. His special technique consisted of diving down, zooming around the pylon, and then climbing high.