Thompson Trophy

The race was 10 miles (16 km) long with 50-foot-high (15 m) pylons marking the turns, and emphasized low altitude flying and maneuverability at high speeds.

As the race was flown around a closed course, crowds in the grandstands could easily see much of the spectacle.

Thompson Products (a predecessor to TRW) decided to sponsor a trophy to be awarded for the next ten years for unlimited class racing (though a stipulation was eventually added excluding women pilots).

The "R" class was for civilian competition; the "J" division was for military pilots and was administered by the United States Air Force.

Roscoe Turner, the last winner of the pre-war trophy, refused to relinquish it, but the original molds were located, and two additional casts were made, differing only in the legend engraved at the base and by placards identifying the division.