RACING
Team Zia enters New Mexico into the world of jet racing
The new team will debut at the 2026 Roswell Air Races with the goal to promote aviation and aerospace careers for young New Mexicans
It was a gleaming red and nicknamed "Lucky" and sat idle on the tarmac at Double Eagle II Airport.
For now, anyway.
The jet — and its crew, Team Zia — will soon spearhead New Mexico's first entry into the adrenaline-fueled world of professional jet racing.
Its inaugural competition? The from Sept. 16-20.
“It’s the fastest motorsport in the world,” said Scott Weaver, the president of Team Zia Jet Air Races. “We do six laps around an 11‑mile course at the fastest speeds we can, at the lowest altitudes we can, so it’s really exciting.”
But for Team Zia, the event is more than just about the roar of the engines and the blur of 500-mph laps.
Formed from an idea between Weaver, a third-generation pilot and a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, and Carol Sugars, a retired UPS Boeing 767 captain, Team Zia wants to inspire the next generation of New Mexican aviators. The goal is to connect young people to opportunities in the aerospace, engineering and flight industries.
“Oh, absolutely (this will help draw young people’s attention),” said Maria Vianco, the operator of Flight Fix Maintenance, a mobile aircraft maintenance provider in Albuquerque, who assists Team Zia. “I mean, it's cool. It's loud. It's fast. It gets all the adrenaline going.”
Especially if it can help grow the number — and the type — of people who might be interested in aviation. Whether that’s piloting or in an operations role.
“(If) some girl comes up and talks to me, then great, fantastic,” Vianco said. “It's about being a little bit more visible, and jet racing is absolutely going to help with that.”
And the more the better.
At Roswell. Hopefully beyond.
“It just means so much to me to come back and really put a pin in the flag and say, ‘Hey, New Mexico, let's get behind us and cheer us on,’” Weaver said. “... I like just to go down there and represent. I don't have any aspirations of winning the event my first year because it's just learning.”
It may even provide a little inspiration, too.