Alexander MacLean’s aircraft passes in front of the Budapest Parliament, during the Budapest stop of the 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series.
The Red Bull Air Race World Series thrusts into high gear in 2007, with U.S. stops in Monument Valley, Utah, and San Diego. Raising the stakes to a jarring new level, the Red Bull Air Race will showcase three new elite pilots and an improved racing format that will guarantee thrills to top last year’s international success.
Launched in 2005, the Red Bull Air Race World Series is unlike any other form of air racing and is the pinnacle of high-speed precision flying. It’s not just a test of speed, but also a challenge of skill. Pilots are using the world’s lightest, most agile and responsive planes: the Edge, Extra and MX2.
Stamina and skill determine who will be the next Red Bull Air Race World Series champion. Pilots navigate a challenging aerial race track of spectacular, specially-designed pylons known as “air gates.” Racers maneuver and execute tight turns at 250 mph, withstanding forces of 10 Gs to claim victory with the fastest finishing time.
For the first time, the Red Bull Air Race World Series’ pilots will be competing in a bracketed format, culminating with a “knockout final.” The head-to-head competition heightens the excitement as the best race pilots in the world compete against each other, with the fastest time advancing to the next round.
Paul Bonhomme’s aircraft stands out against the San Francisco backdrop, during that stop of the 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series.
The colorful and iconic scenery of sandstone buttes and isolated red mesas of Monument Valley will host one of the first Air Races entirely over land on May 12. Part of the expansive Navajo Nation Reservation, the historic Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park straddles the northeast border of Arizona and southeast border of Utah. The striking landscape has been captured in numerous photographs, television programs and Western movies and will provide a stunning backdrop for the third stop of the Red Bull Air Race World Series.
Nicknamed “America’s Finest City” and home to numerous military facilities, including Navy ports and Marine bases, San Diego is the perfect place for the second U.S. stop in the World Series on September 22. In a special exhibit during the opening ceremonies, planes will take off from the USS Midway, the longest serving aircraft carrier in the history of the U.S. Navy.
Red Bull kicks up the excitement even more this year by extending the series to 12 international races. In addition to the new stops in Monument Valley and San Diego, other international cities include Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona, Istanbul, Interlaken, Budapest, Porto and Perth. The first race on the calendar is slated for April 6 in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Previous Red Bull Air Race World Series American Champions Mike Mangold (2005) and Kirby Chambliss (2006) will be looking to defend their titles by fending off ambitious and talented opponents including upcoming rookies Hannes Arch (Austria), Glen Dell (South Africa) and Sergei Rakhmanin (Russia).
As reigning champion, Chambliss must remain at the top of his game throughout the series. A native of Texas, he’s earned a reputation as a fearless and aggressive pilot, winning him five U.S. aerobatic championship titles and virtually every license that aviation has to offer.
To relive the excitement of each race, the complete series will be broadcast on Fox Sports Network beginning in August.
For more information, visit [http://www.redbullairrace.com].
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