# King's Cup (air race)

The King's Cup air race is a British handicapped cross-country event, which has taken place annually since 1922. It is run by the Royal Aero Club Records Racing and Rally Association.
The King's Cup is one of the most prestigious prizes of the British air racing season. The entrants are divided into classes, and each is evaluated and given a time handicap for the start of the race. They all take off at varying times according to their handicap, with the handicappers' aim being that they should all cross the finishing line at the same moment. The art of winning the race outright is therefore to beat the handicappers, rather than to make the fastest flight as such. The aircraft are also divided into classes, with a winner for each class as well as the outright winner.

## History

The King's Cup air race was established by King George V as an incentive to the development of light aircraft and engine design. Initially, it was open to Commonwealth pilots only.
The first King's Cup air race took place on 8 September 1922. It covered a distance of 810 miles from Croydon Aerodrome, south of London, to Glasgow, Scotland and back again after an overnight stop. The winner of this first race was Frank L. Barnard, chief pilot of the Instone Air Line, in a passenger-carrying Airco DH.4A.
The 1939 race was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II, and the contest did not resume until 1949. The 1951 race was abandoned due to bad weather. In 1953, there was a fatal mid-air collision at the King's Cup Air Race meeting at Southend Airport, in which John Crowther, a hotelier from the Marine Hotel, Tankerton, Kent, was killed.
In 1961, for the first time, aircraft designed outside Great Britain and the Commonwealth of Nations were allowed to enter, after the 1960 race was won by a French designed but British built Druine Turbulent. Aircraft all-up-weight was limited to 12,500 lb, and the aircraft required to be British registered.
Along with the former Schneider Trophy, and the current British Air Racing Championship, the King's Cup is one of the most sought-after prizes of the air racing season.

## Races and winners

    Source: Royal Aero Club, except where noted.
| Race | Race | Race | Race | Winner | Winner | Winner | Winner | Winner |
| Finish date | Location of finish | Distance miles | No. of starters | Winning pilot | Aircraft type | Registration | Race no. | Avg. speed mph |
| 9 September 1922 | Croydon | 810 | 22 | Frank L. Barnard | Airco DH.4A | G-EAMU | | 123.6 |
| 14 July 1923 | RAF Hendon | 794 | 17 | Frank T. Courtney | A.W. Siskin II | G-EBEU | | 149 |
| 12 August 1924 | Lee-on-Solent | 950 | 10 | Alan J. Cobham | de Havilland DH.50 | G-EBFN | | 106.6 |
| 4 July 1925 | Croydon | 1,608 | 14 | Frank L. Barnard | Armstrong Whitworth Siskin V | G-EBLQ | | 141.7 |
| 10 July 1926 | RAF Hendon | 1,464 | 14 | Hubert S. Broad | de Havilland DH.60 Moth | G-EBMO | | 90.4 |
| 30 July 1927 | Hucknall | 540 | 16 | W. L. Hope | de Havilland DH.60 Moth | G-EBME | 5 | 92.8 |
| 20 July 1928 | Brooklands | 1,097 | 36 | W. L. Hope | de Havilland DH.60 Moth | G-EBYZ | 7 | 105.5 |
| 6 July 1929 | Heston | 1,170 | 41 | R. L. R. Atcherley | Gloster Grebe II | J7520 | 39 | 150 |
| 5 July 1930 | Hanworth | 753.25 | 88 | Winifred Brown | Avro Avian III | G-EBVZ | 55 | 102.75 |
| 25 July 1931 | Heston | 983 | 40 | E. C. T. Edwards | Blackburn Bluebird IV | G-AACC | | 117.8 |
| 9 July 1932 | Brooklands | 1,223 | 42 | W. L. Hope | de Havilland Fox Moth | G-ABUT | 7 | 124.25 |
| 8 July 1933 | Hatfield | 831 | 42 | Geoffrey de Havilland | de Havilland Leopard Moth | G-ACHD | 23 | 139.51 |
| 14 July 1934 | Hatfield | 801 | 41 | Harry M. Schofield | GAL Monospar ST-10 | G-ACTS | 15 | 134.16 |
| 7 September 1935 | Hatfield | 801 | 43 | Tommy Rose | Miles M.3B Falcon Six | G-ADLC | | 176.28 |
| 11 July 1936 | Hatfield | 1,380 | 26 | Charles E. Gardner | Percival Vega Gull | G-AEKE | 6? | 164.47 |
| 11 September 1937 | Hatfield | 1,443 | 27 | Charles E. Gardner | Percival Mew Gull | G-AEKL | 4 | 233.7 |
| 2 July 1938 | Hatfield | 1,102 | 19 | Alex Henshaw | Percival Mew Gull | G-AEXF | 22 | 236.25 |
| 30 July 1949 | Elmdon | 60 | 36 | J. Nat Somers AFC | Miles M.65 Gemini 3 | G-AKDC | 9 | 164.25 |
| 17 June 1950 | Pendeford | 186 | 36 | Edward Day | Miles M.14 Hawk Trainer 3 | G-AKRV | 14 | 138.5 |
| 12 July 1952 | Woolsington | 131.2 | 12 | C. Gregory | Taylorcraft Plus D | G-AHGZ | 5 | 113.5 |
| 21 June 1953 | Rochford | 59.34 | 12 | Pat Fillingham | DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 | G-AKDN | 54 | 142 |
| 19 June 1954 | Baginton | 68 | 15 | Harold Wood | Miles M.38 Messenger 2A | G-AKBO | 38 | 133 |
| 20 August 1955 | Baginton | 68 | 15 | Peter S. Clifford | Percival Mew Gull | G-AEXF | 97 | 213.5 |
| 21 July 1956 | Baginton | 68 | 16 | James H. Denyer | Auster J/1N Alpha | G-AJRH | 7 | 124 |
| 14 July 1957 | Baginton | 40.6 | 35 | Fred Dunkerley | Miles M.77 Sparrowjet | G-ADNL | 98 | 228 |
| 12 July 1958 | Baginton | 71.6 | 21 | James H. Denyer | DH.82A Tiger Moth | G-AIVW | 30 | 118.5 |
| 11 July 1959 | Baginton | 72 | 21 | A. J. Spiller | Percival Proctor 3 | G-AHFK | 64 | 143 |
| 9 July 1960 | Baginton | 68.36 | 21 | John de M. Severne | Druine D.31 Turbulent | G-APNZ | 7 | 109 |
| 15 July 1961 | Baginton | 72 | 21 | H. Brian Iles | Miles M.18 | G-AHKY | 35 | 142 |
| 18 August 1962 | Baginton | 67.5 | 21 | Peter S. Clifford | Tipsy Nipper 2 | G-ARDY | 11 | 101 |
| 5 August 1963 | Baginton | 72 | 22 | Paul G. Bannister | Tipsy Nipper 3 | G-APYB | 10 | 102.5 |
| 1 August 1964 | Baginton | 72 | 22 | Dennis M. Hartas | LeVier Cosmic Wind | G-ARUL | 75 | 185 |
| 21 August 1965 | Baginton | 40 | 12 | John Stewart-Wood | Cessna 172C | G-ARYS | 34 | 131.5 |
| 12 August 1966 | Baginton | 66 | 16 | John A.C. Miles | DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 | G-APTS | 23 | 135 |
| 19 August 1967 | Tollerton | 75 | 17 | Charles B.G. Masefield | N.A. P-51D Mustang | N6356T | 100 | 277.5 |
| 24 August 1968 | Tollerton | 79.2 | 16 | F.R.E. Hayter | DH.87B Hornet Moth | G-ADKM | 42 | 121 |
| 12 July 1969 | Rochester | 50 | 16 | Robin D'Erlanger | Druine D.31 Turbulent | G-ASAM | 3 | 99.5 |
| 28 June 1970 | Tollerton | 95 | 26 | Mike Pruden | Champion 7ECA Citabria | N7566F | 118 | 129.5 |
| 14 August 1971 | White Waltham | 155.5 | 30 | J. Bradshaw | Percival P.56 Provost | G-AWPH | 33 | 204.5 |
| 15 July 1972 | Booker | 120 | 58 | Stan Warwick | Glos-Airtourer T4 | G-AZBE | 95 | 164.5 |
| 9 September 1973 | Cranfield | 112.5 | 28 | H.W. Bonner | DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 | G-ARWB | 77 | |
| 29 September 1974 | Tees-side | | | Jan Behrman | Piper PA-24 Comanche | G-ARSK | 70? | 186.6 |
| 28 September 1975 | Baginton | 68? | 21 | John Cull | Bölkow Bo 208C Junior | G-ATRI | | 128.66 |
| 15 August 1976 | Baginton | 102 | 18 | A.J. Spiller | Cessna 180 | G-ASIT | 64 | 162.89 |
| 11 September 1977 | Baginton | | 18 | Andrew Chadwick | Rollason Beta | G-AWHX | 33 | 197.19 |
| 17 September 1978 | Thruxton | 102 | 22 | John Stewart-Wood | Piper PA-34 Seneca | G-BDRI | 34 | 200.48 |
| 9 September 1979 | Jurby, Isle of Man | | 25 | Ian Dalziel | Miles M.3A Falcon Major | G-AEEG | 54 | 136.3 |
| 21 September 1980 | Finningley | 103 | | A.J. Spiller | Cessna 180 | G-ASIT | 64 | |
| 19 September 1981 | Finningley | 103 | 22 | Josephine O'Donnell | Piper PA-18 Super Cub | G-NICK | 103 | 102 |
| 4 September 1982 | Finningley | | | Geoffrey Richardson | Bolkow Bo 209 Monsun | G-AZOB | 104 | 154.81 |
| 17 September 1983 | Finningley | 105 | 29 | Don Sainsbury | Piper PA-28R Cherokee Arrow | G-BKFZ | | 166.54 |
| 15 September 1984 | St Athan | 110 | 18 | Kenneth Fehrenbach | Beagle Pup 100 | G-AZDA | | 120.65 |
| 15 September 1985 | Shoreham | | | G Franks | SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 | G-BDEN | 69 | |
| 31 August 1986 | Thruxton | | | S/Ldr Cliff Hilliker | Scottish Aviation Bulldog | XX631 | | |
| 4 September 1988 | Leicester | | | S/Ldr M Baker | Scottish Aviation Bulldog | XX631 | 14 | |
| 3 September 1989 | Leicester | | | R Hayes/R Nesbitt | Beagle Pup 150 / Aircoupe | G-AXPN / G-ARHF | | |
| 2 September 1990 | Leicester | | | Alf Hawley | MS 80B Rally | G-BKUT | 50 | |
| 1 September 1991 | Leicester | | | Steven Jones | Cassutt Racer IIIM | G-RUNT | | |
| 6 September 1992 | Leicester | | | Peter Crispe | Cessna 337F Skymaster | G-AWVS | 99 | |
| 5 September 1993 | Leicester | | | Roger Hayes | Scottish Aviation Bulldog | G-BPCL | 121 | 144.67 |
| 4 September 1994 | Leicester | | | Geoffrey Boot | Cessna 340 | N66SW | 58 | 220 |
| 3 September 1995 | Leicester | | | David Soul | Rockwell Commander 114 | G-LADS> | 54 | |
| 1 September 1996 | Leicester | | | Edward Coventry | Mudry CAP 10.B | G-BLVK | | |
| 7 September 1997 | Leicester | | | Melanie Willes | Cessna 120 | G-BTBW | 40? | |
| 5 September 1999 | Leicester | | | Roger Hayes | Scottish Aviation Bulldog | G-BPCL | 121 | 141.6 |
| 3 September 2000 | Leicester | | | Milan Konstantinovic | Cessna 182R | G-MISH | 9 | |
| 9 September 2001 | Leicester | | | John Spooner | Cessna 182K | G-CBIL | | |
| 8 September 2002 | Leicester | | | Stephen Ollier | Scottish Aviation Bulldog | G-BCUS | 69 | |
| 6 September 2003 | Leicester | | | Geoffrey Boot | Beagle Pup 150 | G-TSKY | 2? | 131 |
| 12 September 2004 | Leicester | | | Phil Wadsworth | Grumman AG-5B Tiger | G-RICA | 49 | |
| 21 August 2005 | Shobdon | | | Roger Hayes | Beagle Pup 150 | G-TSKY | 2 | |
| 13 August 2006 | Shobdon | | | Nigel Reddish | Vans RV-7 | G-SEVN | 777 | |
| 1 July 2007 | Sywell | | | Neil Cooper | Beagle Pup 150 | G-IPUP | 12 | |
| 10 August 2008 | Sywell | | | Nigel Reddish | Vans RV-7 | G-SEVN | 777 | |
| 16 August 2009 | Sywell | | | Richard Marsden | Vans RV-6 | G-TNGO | 23 | 190 |
| 15 August 2010 | Sywell | | | Roderick Morton | Slingsby T.67 Firefly | G-KONG | 293 | |
| 14 August 2011 | Sywell | 120 | 13 | Malcolm Montgomerie | Cessna 152 | G-BJWH | 72 | 116 |
| 19 August 2012 | Shobdon | 97 | | Gordon Bellerby | Grumman AA-5B Tiger | G-BFXW | 82 | 124.5 |
| 18 August 2013 | Shobdon | 97 | 13 | Geoffrey Boot | SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 | G-NRRA | 31 | 204 |
| 17 August 2014 | Shobdon | 121 | 13 | Michael Wingenroth | Beagle Pup 150 | G-TSKY | 2 | 132.6 |
| 30 August 2015 | Shobdon | 121 | 16 | Dr Roger-James Scholes | Slingsby T.67 Firefly | G-CILK | 7 | |
| 3 September 2016 | Shobdon | 97 | 12 | Dominic Crossan | Vans RV-6 | G-OTRV | 47 | 177.73 |
| 13 August 2017 | Shobdon | 97 | 15 | Dominic Crossan | Vans RV-6 | G-OTRV | 47 | 175.71 |
| 2018 | No award | | | | | | | |
| 2019 | | | | David Moorman | | | | |
| 2020 | No contest | | | | | | | |
| 2021 | No contest | | | | | | | |
| 30 September 2022 | TBA | | | | | | |
| 21-22 September 2024 | Wellesbourne Airfield | | | | | | | |