The 17th annual EAA AirVenture Cup Race will launch on Sunday, July 27, 2014 from Mitchell, South Dakota (KMHE), and organizers are taking racer applications through July 1. The timed 400-statute mile race ends in Wausau, Wisconsin (KAUW), before racers head to Oshkosh (KOSH) for the annual EAA AirVenture fly-in convention.

On Saturday, July 26, the AirVenture Cup Race staff and participants, in cooperation with Wright Brothers Aviation, will host an open house at KMHE. "Having nearly 100 unique airplanes and pilots in Mitchell gives us the opportunity to invite the local community to come out to the airport for the day. The race pits are open to the public and spectators can come and talk to the airplane builders and pilots," said Eric Whyte, race chairman.

Application information can be found at www.AirVentureCupRace.com. All applications need to be complete and approved by July 1.