By Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee

Despite the deaths of 11 people, federal investigations and lawsuits seeking millions of dollars, organizers of the Reno air races are moving ahead with plans to hold the event again in September.

Emails announcing ticket sales for the 49th annual National Championship Air Races went out Tuesday, touting a “fun-filled racing experience.”

The announcement also promised a “world class memorial and tribute” for the 10 spectators who were killed, the 74 who were injured and the pilot who died when his World War II-era fighter plane slammed into two rows of box seats last year and left a hole 3 feet deep.

But, there is no guarantee that the races will go on as scheduled. Federal approval is still pending and legal challenges contend that strict new safety rules are needed before the races can be held.

“What I know at this point is that if they don’t make any modifications, they’re reckless,” said Anthony Buzbee, a Houston attorney who has filed a $25 million lawsuit on behalf of the family of Craig Salerno, a Texas man killed in last year’s accident.

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