EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015: AirVenture Cup Race

By Leo Cachat

The much anticipated opening event of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015, the 18th annual AirVenture Cup Cross-Country Air Race, began with a gathering of racers at Mount Vernon Outland Airport, IL on July 17.  The race was flown on Sunday, with arrivals at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Monday.  The planned route was  from Mt. Vernon to Dixon Municipal, Sauk Prairie, Waupaca Municipal and finishing in Wausau, WI Downtown Airport.  Weather was a factor in altering the schedule and starting location: a non-timed flight to Whiteside County Airport in Sterling Rockfalls, IL for the official starting point. 

The race attracts entrants from experimental and production aircraft classes.  The two main racing aircraft classes are divided into sub-classes that help to ensure fair competition among entrants of similar engine and airframe configurations.  The winners for each sub-class were made available a few weeks later.    
         
The Aero Experience was on site in Mount Vernon July 17-18 as the racers arrived and remained on display for the airport open house Saturday:

 

 

The racers arrive at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015:

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo