AirVenture Cup Race

10/26/2026

On the National Day of the Deployed, we honor those who have been deployed and are currently deployed, as well as their families. We recognize the sacrifice that is made and thank you for your service.

10/26/2026

Who needs hobbies when you have aviation?!?! What's your hobby?

10/23/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Joe, a retired aerospace engineer with 42 years at Sikorsky Aircraft, first joined the AirVenture Cup in the early 2000s, racing as a back-seater in Long EZ Race #93 and once in RV-7A Race Pi (314). In 2017, he debuted as Pilot-in-Command in his PA28-180, earning four second-place finishes in the FAC4FX class. Now in his fourth Long EZ race (Race #112), he’s secured two second-place finishes in Formula FX Red. A commercial pilot since 1996, Joe holds single-engine, multi-engine, helicopter, and instrument ratings, with over 1,000 flight hours. This year, Joe’s co-pilot is his son, Matthew, the eldest of his four children with wife, Carol, whom he’ll celebrate 40 years with in October. Matthew, a University of Florida aerospace engineering graduate, followed Joe into aviation, serving over ten years in the U.S. Navy. He flew T-6A Texan II, T-45 Goshawk, and T-44C aircraft, completed two deployments, and served as an instructor pilot. Now a U.S. Navy Reserve pilot with VR-62 Nomads, Matthew flies the Airbus A321 for a major airline. Joe and Matthew race together, blending family, skill, and passion for flight at AirVenture.

10/21/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Race 902 is a Velocity SE named the “Veloci-Hornet”. Its namesake and paint scheme are a direct throwback to the original F/A-18A Hornet prototype that rolled out of the McDonnell Douglas factory in 1978. While trying to decide on a color scheme after completing flight testing in 2022, Steve rediscovered a photo of that classic prototype. He realized the historic Hornet livery met all of his criteria for his new homebuilt aircraft: a mostly white base, sharp contrasting trim colors, and a fun, slightly campy, yet deeply patriotic aesthetic. While Steve has never flown an actual F-18 jet, it remains high on his bucket list. Professionally, Steve has worked as an aerospace engineer for 28 years. His career has taken him to dozens of airlines across the globe to observe flight line operations and train specialized maintenance teams on servicing large aircraft wheels and carbon-carbon braking systems. A more complete backstory on the build and adventures of the “Veloci-Hornet” can be found by searching “VelociSteve” on YouTube, as well as featured in the June 2025 edition of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

10/17/2026

Sad news for long time AVC pilots and Fans. Wendt’s on the Lake was the finish line for the first 6 races. We also held the post race party there for a while in the early years. When we started nobody had heard of Wendt’s eventually it got so busy they put up two big tents and still didn’t have room for us. Sad to see them close.

https://fox11online.com/news/business/wendts-on-the-lake-restaurant-closing-van-dyne-winnebago-sturgeon-spearing-family-negotiations-sale?fbclid=IwZnRzaAU_nU1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUQdaZcBwhiJDr89mWHCgf17y3h-on3NydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7qmDgpvepN5pJLNs-wQ8WgrIDsqvWCD8AchWiOaQNzE-dPCNJqkBg8YdIzOA_aem_24gWzmq_LP8Wa6BduWWyVQ

A staple on the western shore of Lake Winnebago is closing.

10/14/2026

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10/10/2026

William is the proud owner of a Lancair 320, registered as N9MG. Having been in aviation for many years, he has honed his skills in various aircraft, achieving certification as a Commercial Multiengine Flight Engineer. One of his major experiences includes operating the Boeing 727. Throughout his aviation journey, William has developed a deep appreciation for both flying and the intricacies of aircraft design, which is evident in his interest in the Lancair 320. He values the blend of performance and efficiency that this aircraft offers, making it a perfect fit for his racing aspirations. Participating in air races is not only a thrilling challenge for William, but also an opportunity to connect with fellow aviation enthusiasts. He enjoys the camaraderie that comes with competing, sharing experiences with other pilots, and pushing his limits in the skies. This year, he looks forward to the upcoming race to showcase the capabilities of the Lancair 320 and engage with the vibrant racing community.

10/07/2026

Craig Schulze will be flying Race 777 alongside his son, Adam, in this year’s competition—marking Craig’s 11th AirVenture Cup race. Craig’s passion for aviation started early. He began building model airplanes at just three years old and took his first flight at six. Some say he’s such an aviation enthusiast that his blood cells are actually shaped like airplanes! While he flies primarily for the pure love of it, Craig also holds commercial and instrument ratings, along with a Letter of Authorization to fly the L-39 Albatros jet. He built Race 777—a Lancair 360—in just 22 months, completing the aircraft in 2007. The very next year, it earned the prestigious EAA Oshkosh Grand Champion award. Since then, Craig has gone on to build or rebuild three additional Lancair 360s. This year, Craig returns to the race course with a set of new, undisclosed speed modifications, making this his most promising and potentially fastest year yet. In addition to racing, Craig and his sons will be unveiling their latest aviation innovation at Oshkosh: the SkyTug, a lightweight, 30-pound portable aircraft tug capable of effortlessly towing airplanes
up to 3,000 pounds.

10/04/2026

Moose mating season is always a blast! Want to understand this joke? Better join us for the AirVenture Cup Race in 2027!

Photo credit: Jacob Buemi, Nathan Prince, Eric De La Garza, Jimmy De La Garza, Moving Target Photography

10/03/2026

Leith Stevens learned to fly in 2021, achieving a lifelong dream that first sparked during his childhood when he experienced general aviation flying alongside his father, flight instructor and current co-pilot, Lawrie Stevens. Lawrie is an avid aerobatic pilot and instructor who personally guided Leith through his aviation journey, teaching him from his very first lesson all the way to earning his Private Pilot certificate and subsequent aerobatic endorsements. Leith initially learned to fly in Australia and now holds active pilot certificates and currency in both the United States and Australia. For the past three years, Leith has been the proud owner of a Lancair 360, which he loves utilizing for fast, long-distance, coast-to-coast cross-country flights. Leith currently resides in Colorado with his family and works for a software company whose products are utilized by household-name aerospace corporations. Meanwhile, Lawrie is semi-retired and continues to share his extensive expertise by teaching upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) as well as advanced aerobatics to experienced aviators in Queensland, Australia.