Real ‘Top Gun’ pilots, breathtaking countryside and pumping adrenaline… it could only be the Red Bull Air Race World Series! Back by popular demand, this long awaited event makes its return to one of Britain’s finest stately home, Longleat on 2nd September.
Over 100,000 spectators are expected to witness fast, cutting-edge machines, exhilarating action and visually spectacular racing, as 11 pilots including Britain’s Steve Jones and Paul Bonhomme rip into the countryside!
Visiting nine countries worldwide between March and November, The Red Bull Air Race sees 11 of the world’s most skilled race pilots compete in their aircrafts through a slalom course of 20m tall inflated gates, whilst executing difficult turning manoeuvres.
Flying at speeds that can reach over 250mph just metres off the ground and withstanding G-forces up to ten times their body weight, the pilots truly are ‘the best of the best’. Due to its potentially dangerous nature, only the most experienced and talented pilots, with superior powers of mental focus, are invited to compete in the Red Bull Air Race World Series.
Up against the clock with the focus on speed and precision, the pilot with the quickest time and least penalties takes the most points - at the end of the series, the highest scoring pilot is crowned Red Bull Air Race World Champion.
This brand new airsport genre was created in 2003, by World Champion - Peter Besenyei, together with Red Bull. Besenyei felt that existing competition was limited by the subjective nature of the judging process and was also “looking for a way to make air racing even more interesting for spectators.”
STATS SO FAR:
World Series 2006 Overall Standing
1 Kirby Chambliss USA 22 points2 Peter Besenyei HUN 193 Mike Mangold USA 174 Paul Bonhomme GBR 64 Klaus Schrodt GER 64 Nicolas Ivanoff FRA 67 Alejandro Maclean ESP 37 Michael Goulian* USA 39 Nigel Lamb GBR 210 Steve Jones GBR 010 Frank Versteegh NED 0
RACE CALENDAR 2006:
Abu Dhabi, UAE 18th MarchBarcelona, Spain 6th MayBerlin, Germany 27th MaySt Petersburg, Russia 17th June (cancelled)Istanbul, Turkey 29th JulyBudapest, Hungary 20th AugustLongleat, UK 2nd SeptemberSan Francisco, USA 7th OctoberPerth, Australia 19th November
