This year was supposed to be the 57th for the National Championship Air Races, and canceling the event has taken a toll.

"There's a huge loss," said Reno Air Racing Association COO Tony Logoteta. "We ended up having to refund a significant number of tickets, and that's operating income as we move through the year, because it's a year-round operation. So there's a huge loss financially when we had to cancel when we did."

It's an event that's unmatched anywhere.

"This is unique in all the world," said Jeff Turney, a Jet Class pilot and former Air Boss for the event. "This is the fastest motor sport on the planet, bar none, and it has a long history right here in our backyard."

So the Reno Air Racing Association is spearheading a campaign to make sure the show will go on next year.

"We have an incredible show planned," Logoteta said. "We have the Thunderbirds coming out, we're putting together a wonderful show we're really encouraged by the support we've received in our donation campaign to save the races."

Donations have been pouring in, and some of the pilots are doing what they can to help the cause

"We're putting $10,000 toward someones private pilot license and all they have to do is donate to the Air Races to be entered," said pilot Trent Palmer.

He's raising money through this YouTube channel to give someone the gift of flight this holiday season.

He's part of the new drag racing class that made its first appearance at last year's event.

"I've been flying for six years now, but how I got into flying was because I was forced into it," Palmer said. "I work in the film industry as a drone pilot and in 2014 the FAA required any commercial drone pilot to get a real pilots license. So that's what pushed me into it. I wanted nothing to do with flying, and of course got hooked."

The Air Races have always had a loyal following, and the hope is to reunite these September families next year.

"We look forward to that week in September more than anything all year long," Turney said. "It's like the top of the mountain to us. We spend the other 51 weeks climbing the hill to get to the top of the mountain so we can be with our September family. And then, it's over too soon. Support the races any way you can. It's a legacy event here in Nevada, right in our backyard, and we need to keep it."

For more information on Save the Air Races click here

For more on the pilot license giveaway click here

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