The MCLS, in partnership with Visit Lake Norman, was awarded the event in March after submitting a formal application in February. The event represents the best in their class of model aviation with each team including a pilot and a pitman. The top three teams from the trials will represent the United States in the World Championships in Primorsko, Bulgaria, in September 2012.

The racers will be vying to make the national team as they fly model airplanes on 60 foot long steel wires at speeds up to 200 mph. One lap is completed in less than two seconds. There is limited fuel tank size so there a number of pit stops. This cycle continues for 70 laps, lasting approximately three minutes.