Event Schedule - Rio Grande Classic

Download RGC 2024 Schedule of Events PDF

Rio Grande Classic 2024 – May 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th

Dear Pilots:

Welcome to Rio Grande Classic 2024! On behalf of the entire RGC Committee and the Top Gun Board of Directors, we are looking forward to an amazing event!

Pilots will be competing for RGC Champion, SW Regional Champion, and NM State Champion.

A special thank you to all of our sponsors!

Premier Sponsors: Highland Balloon Repair and Bubba’s 33

Gold Sponsors: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Power Generation Services, LLC, Safe House Distilling Co., Chuck & Kathy’s Artisanal Confections, Treats & Specialties

Silver Sponsors: First Financial Credit Union, Speicher Automotive, Centric Title and Escrow, LLC, Brew Lab 101 Elks Lodge #2500 of Rio Rancho, Jump 4 Fun, 1^st Service Team

Bronze Sponsors: Siarza-Public Relations, Advertising & Digital Marketing, Ace of Paws-Veterinary, Lundgren Chiropractic Center, Davis Kelin Law Firm, LLC, Fine Law Firm, Caruso Law Offices, Southwest Cyberport

Official hashtag for social media: #RGC2024

“Baggies Out” will have media coverage during the event. They will be at targets, and interviewing pilots, crew, and sponsors.

Rio Grande Classic 2024 Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 11^th – 6 pm to 8:30 pm

Sponsorship Recognition Balloon Glow
- Corrales Soccer Fields -500 Jones Rd, Corrales, NM 87048
- Inviting the public to meet with pilots and sponsors.
- Fun for the family!

Tuesday, May 21^st -11 am to 11 pm

Top Gun/RGC Happy Hour @ our Premier Sponsor Bubba’s 33 -Food for All!
– 4861 Pan American Fwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
10% of proceeds to benefit Rio Grande Classic!

Friday, May 24th

Registration Party and Master Briefing: 4 pm to 7 pm at Brew Lab 101
3301 Southern Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Register and pick up your pilot bags.
Pilots and crew welcome!
Appetizers from Bubba’s 33 will be served. Start a tab for your crew at the bar.
Master Briefing will be at 6 PM – ALL PILOTS MUST ATTEND

Saturday, May 25^th, 2024 (sunrise 05:55)

Pilot Briefing
- Elk’s Lodge, 1530 Barbara Loop SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
- Doors open at 5:00 am
- Continental Breakfast & Coffee -all crew welcome!
- 5:25 am Pilot Briefing begins -Pilot plus Navigator/Crew Chief only in briefing room
Post Flight (BEFORE REFUELING) Drop off Baggies at 1550 Stephanie Rd. Se Ste. 106, Rio Rancho, NM 87124- Please drive through and around the building or park on the road.
Refuel at Pinnacle Propane – 8 am to Noon, 6400 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Tailgate and socialize at, 1^stService Team: 1550 Stephanie Rd. Se Ste. 106, Rio Rancho, NM 87124!
- Please park on the road or across the street & keep the place clean.
- Also, support our sponsors when you have the chance:
  - Bubba’s 33 – 4861 Pan American Fwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
  - Brew Lab 101 – 3301 Southern Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
  - Safe House Distilling Co. – 616 Gold Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Sunday, May 26^th, 2024 (sunrise 05:55)

Pilot Briefing
- Elk’s Lodge, 1530 Barbara Loop SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
- Doors open at 5:00 am
- Continental Breakfast & Coffee -all crew welcome!
- 5:25 am Pilot Briefing begins -Pilot plus Navigator/Crew Chief only in briefing room
Post Flight (BEFORE REFUELING) Drop off Baggies at 1550 Stephanie Rd. Se Ste. 106, Rio Rancho, NM 87124- Please drive through and around the building or park on the road.
Refuel at Pinnacle Propane – 8 am to Noon, 6400 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Tailgate and socialize at, 1^stService Team: 1550 Stephanie Rd. Se Ste. 106, Rio Rancho, NM 87124!
- Please park on the road or across the street & keep the place clean.
- Also, support our sponsors when you have the chance:
  - Bubba’s 33 – 4861 Pan American Fwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
  - Brew Lab 101 – 3301 Southern Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
  - Safe House Distilling Co. – 616 Gold Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Monday, May 27th – Memorial Day (sunrise 05:54)

Pilot Briefing
- Elk’s Lodge, 1530 Barbara Loop SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
- Doors open at 5:00 am
- Continental Breakfast & Coffee -all crew welcome!
- 5:25 am Pilot Briefing begins -Pilot plus Navigator/Crew Chief only in the briefing room
Post Flight (BEFORE REFUELING) Drop off Baggies at 1550 Stephanie Rd. Se Ste. 106, Rio Rancho, NM 87124- Please drive through and around the building or park on the road.
Refuel at Pinnacle Propane – 8 am to Noon 6400 Edith Blvd NE 87107
11:30 am – 1:30 pm Awards Ceremony at Elk’s Lodge
- (Note: Absolutely No Outside Beverages are allowed. Bar will be open inside.)

REFUELING: Pinnacle Propane | 6400 Edith Blvd NE | Albuquerque, NM 87107

There are THREE days of fueling. Please be patient with your fellow pilots and Pinnacle staff (they are coming in on their Memorial Day weekend for us).

Your Event Director for the 2024 Rio Grande Classic is Elisa Talbert

Elisa Talbert – RGC Event Director

We welcome Elisa Talbert as our 2024 Rio Grande Classic Event Director. Elisa has been involved in ballooning since 1999. She worked as the pilot coordinator for Balloon Fiesta 2012-2015 and was President of AAAA 2010-2012 & 2016-2018. Additionally, Elisa served on the Top Gun Board of Directors 2022-2023 and has been the Chairperson for the Rio Grande Classic many times. She was also the RGC Event Director in 2022. Elisa has participated as an observer for Pre-Worlds in Saga, Japan, as crew in the World Championship held in Brazil, and as crew at the World Air Games in Dubai.

Elisa received her pilot’s certificate in 2014 and began competing in 2015 at Top Gun events including NM State Championships and SW Regional Championships. She has also competed in US Nationals in Longview TX, US Women’s Nationals, Women’s Worlds in Lithuania. She was named the BFA’s highest ranked female pilot in 2016. In 2023 she placed 11th at US Nationals in Longview, TX and 7th at Women’s Nationals in Jackson, MI.

Elisa is looking forward to another opportunity to call tasks for this year’s RGC, NM State and SW Regional Championships.

Important Phone Numbers: