Nigel Lamb believes that new regulations and standardisation of engines and propellers mean pilot skills will come into play in the 2014 Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
Lamb, 58, from Oxfordshire in the UK, is one of 12 Masters pilots who will be seen in action over the Abu Dhabi Corniche on Friday and Saturday.
Speaking to Sport360° ahead of the return of the World Series following a three-year hiatus, Lamb said: “It’s fantastic that the race is back. Like everybody else, I’m looking forward to the racing.
“It took longer than I had imagined for the series to return, but now it is here I’m really pleased.” Born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, Lamb, who has been a display pilot for over 30 years, has welcomed the new safety regulations and the decision to fit the race planes with one-make engines and propellers.
“This [standard engines and propellers] will certainly level the playing field and I believe it will now all boil down to pilot skills,” Lamb said, adding that he flies a MSX and hopes to be competitive in the championship.
Lamb also welcomed the new safety regulations, saying: “It’s fantastic that these new regulations have been introduced, including the decision on standard engines and propellers.
“In any motor sport it does not make sense if you cannot monitor the power units. Look at Formula One, they have standard power plants. This contest is about a combination between man and machine trying to compete through some very close racing.
“So now with standard engines and weight regulations, it is going to be about skills. This [contest] is going to be really good for the spectators, too.” Lamb, who finished third overall in the last championship held in 2010 with three second place spots from six races, says he spent the last three years travelling extensively putting on display shows.
He was also involved in a two-year project for his sponsors, Breitling, which, among others, involved working with a jet team from France. While noting that he has gradually improved upon his racing skills over the years, Lamb says he would naturally be happy to finish on the podium but it would be difficult to say anything at this stage because the competition was bound to be of high quality.
On what advice he has for the rookie pilots who will be seen in action in the Challenger Cup, Lamb added: “You have to be very consistent and smooth, they must concentrate on that. “Also, it is very important that you are comfortable on the track; you must feel comfortable for otherwise you cannot have a smooth race.”
Lamb touches down in Abu Dhabi on Thursday and will get straight into competition mode on Friday.
