Air Race Classic

Organization

Staff Only

Historical Information

Women's air racing began in 1929 with the First Women's Air Derby. Twenty pilots raced from Santa Monica, CA to Cleveland, OH, site of the National Air Races. Racing continued through the 1930s and was renewed again after WWII when the All Women's Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), better known as the Powder Puff Derby, came into being. The All Women's Transcontinental Air Race held its 30th, final and commemorative flight in 1977. The Air Race Classic, Ltd. continued transcontinental speed competition for women pilots and staged its premier race. The Air Race Classic was reincorporated in 2002 into the Air Race Classic, Incorporated.

The Air Race Classic is the longest-running all-female airplane race in the world. Purdue University teams have competed in the Air Race Classic since 1994. Mary Ann Eiff, assistant professor of Aviation Technology was the faculty advisor to Purdue's chapter of Women in Aviation when Purdue teams first took part in the race. Purdue University hosted the race in 2005.

Citation:

History of Air Racing. Internet Archive. Accessed January 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190103130421/https://www.airraceclassic.org/history-of-the-race.htm

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Purdue Air Race Classic Team papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: UA 54

Scope and Contents The Purdue Air Race Classic Team papers document the Purdue Air Race Classic teams' involvement in the race. The papers feature Purdue Air Race Classic team photographs, clippings, correspondence, general race information; including participant lists and race results, Purdue team updates provided throughout the races and Air Race Classic programs which document Purdue's involvement in the races from 1994 – 2005. Some of the miscellaneous materials include a pamphlet from the...

Dates: 1994 - 2005

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

Purdue University Department of Aviation Technology records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: UA 12

Scope and Contents The Purdue University Department of Aviation Technology records document the historical background of the department, the Purdue University Airport, and key moments in the history of aviation in Tippecanoe County. Scrapbooks compiled by the department provide a rich collection of photographs and news clippings which highlight key historical moments, individuals, additions of labs and simulators, and aircraft at the Purdue University Airport. Publications among the...

Dates: 1928 - 2010; Other: Majority of material found within 1970 - 1999