The Red Bull Air Race World Championship returns after a three-year hiatus, with round one action at the Abu Dhabi Corniche from Friday, 28 – Saturday, 1 March.
Ahead of the much anticipated return of the championship, considered as the fastest motorsport series in the world, the Master Class Pilots touched down at the race airport in Mina Zayed aboard their race planes from a training base in Ras Al Khaimah.
Addressing a news conference that was held at a purpose-built airport to launch the event, Red Bull Air Race GmbH CEO, Erich Wolf, said the selection of Abu Dhabi as the inaugural stop for the race’s return underlines the UAE capital’s position as one of the world’s premier sports locations and reflects the success of previous races that have been held here.
“We’re very happy to be here again in Abu Dhabi to inaugurate the new season,” said Wolf.
“There’s no better place than Abu Dhabi as we’ve already had six fantastic races here. The city has been a great host for the Red Bull Air Race. We can’t think of a better way to start the new season.
“You have spectators on three sides of the race track and they will be about 150m from the aircraft. Being so close means you actually feel the aircraft.”
On safety issues, Wolf said: “There has been a lot said on this. We have re-organised everything with regards to safety and we now are in a much better position.”
While revealing that there is no prize money involved in the championship, Wolf said: “They [pilots] are flying for honour.”
Defending champion Paul Bonhomme, who was also present, intervened to add: “It is a discussion we have had over many years and for me it wouldn’t matter if you promised me all the money in the world. I would still want to win and I’m very passionate about winning.”
Speaking on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, Faisal Al Sheikh, Director, Events Bureau, said: “This race is a welcome addition to Abu Dhabi’s ever-growing events calendar which now spans the cultural, sporting, heritage, arts and entertainment scenes.
"It brings heightened impetus to a very active first quarter for the emirate and gives us a remarkable opportunity to show-case the beauty and accessibility of our magnificent Corniche.
“This is an event not just for the motorsports or aviation enthusiast – but one that can be enjoyed by all the family in an unbeatable setting. Once again TCA Abu Dhabi has partnered with a world-class organiser to deliver events of highest calibre” added Al Sheikh.
“I am very excited to be here again in Abu Dhabi to compete in this thrilling race,” added Bonhomme, who claimed victory twice here in 2008 and 2010.
“Entering this championship, I do not consider myself as the reigning champion, but rather as a pilot who has to prove himself again.”
Veteran pilot Peter Besenyei, who has also secured two wins in Abu Dhabi, said: “This is the ninth time that I have visited Abu Dhabi; twice as a tourist, and seven times as a Red Bull Air Race pilot.”
Abu Dhabi has hosted the season-opener six times in a row between 2005 and 2010.
The 2014 season will see the introduction of the Challenger Cup, where eight rookie pilots will compete for a chance to step up to the Masters Class.
The championship features 12 of the world’s best race pilots in a competition that combines speed, precision and skill. Pilots navigate a low-level aerial track made up of air-filled pylons 25 metres high, five metres higher than in previous years, at speed of up to 370 kmph.
