Air Race X pitches international air-racing finals to Pueblo; seeks $1.2 million host payment and expedited council action

Ted Morris, representing Air Race X, presented a proposal on Feb. 9 to host an international air-racing event in Pueblo and urged the council to consider a host-city payment and a near-term vote to secure dates and vendor commitments.

Morris described Air Race X as "the fastest motorsport in the world" and said the organization is negotiating with multiple countries and companies to bring pilots, corporate visitors and broadcast coverage to Pueblo. He framed Pueblo’s airport and highway access as competitive advantages and said the company is prepared to invest in the event’s success. Morris told the council the host-city payment would be $1,200,000 and that Air Race X’s total fee for the event is $2,600,000; he said the company would "carry the $1,400,000" difference as an up-front investment and that those figures are the basis for projected ticket and hospitality revenues.

Morris offered conservative event estimates based on 10,000 baseline attendees for a two‑and‑a‑half‑day event and said aspirational attendance could reach 40,000–50,000. He also said past Air Race X events overseas drew large crowds (he referenced an event in Japan with about 30,000 attendees). Morris proposed revenue streams including general admission, VIP and hospitality sales and said the event promoter and logistics partners already identified would support production and broadcast.

Council members raised multiple due-diligence questions. President Alix and others asked whether airport infrastructure (for example power lines or other obstacles) would require relocation or upgrades that could create additional city costs. Alix said she was skeptical that there would be “0 downside” and cited examples from other venues where unseen infrastructure costs appeared. Morris replied that he had toured the airport with airport director Greg and said he observed no need to move wires or conduct major earthwork, and that event activity would be staged near the FBO and fire station area along the main runway.

Councilors also asked for documentation to verify Air Race X’s track record, promoter agreements and the promoter’s past financial results; Morris said his team’s leadership includes former Red Bull Air Race pilots and staff and that he can provide additional materials and references and the organization’s website. Other councilors questioned the practicalities of moving large numbers of spectators in and out of a smaller airport and sought assurances about parking, shuttle plans and FAA/commercial-airline constraints.

Morris asked for a prompt vote if the council wished to move forward, saying timing matters for contracts and pilot commitments. Council members did not take a binding vote during the work session and asked staff to continue coordinating with the chamber, airport staff and economic development partners and to request supporting documentation from Air Race X.