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Air Race F1 Launches Inaugural International Air Race in Lleida, Catalunya Spain
Air Race F1 launches inaugural international air race in Lleida CatalunyaLondon and Spain-based international air race organizers Air Race F1 has announced the launch of a new series of international Formula 1 Class air racing competitions. The first event will take place at Lleida-Alguaire Airport, near Barcelona in Spain, on June 1 when it will showcase the skills of the world’s premier Formula 1 air racing pilots and their high-performance planes. This inaugural race will be the platform to launch a full annual world series of Air Race F1 events in 2015.
Air Race F1 is the only international pylon air race series where eight airplanes compete directly against each other at speeds of more than 250 mph on an end to end circuit of just two kilometres with the first aircraft across the finishing line winning. The organizers are highly regarded, industry-leading experts who work hard to ensure the race is both safe and successful for all involved. For this event the national F1 air racing associations of the USA, the UK and France have confirmed the provision of experienced pilots – men and women, old and young – who come from many different countries and who all have a level of skill and experience that ensures a safe event.
Red Bull Air Race World Championship Tickets On Sale
Global Series To Bring High-Flying Action to Dallas/Fort Worth and Las Vegas
Tickets for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship season are now on sale, as the world’s fastest motorsport series returns to the skies at exciting new locations around the world after a three-year break. The 2014 schedule includes two U.S. based races, in Dallas/Fort Worth at Texas Motor Speedway on September 6-7 and in Las Vegas at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 11-12. A wide range of tickets – everything from general admission to Race Club hospitality areas with fine catering and the best views – are available with pricing starting at $39 for a weekend of high adrenaline racing.
The Red Bull Air Race World Championship features the world’s best race pilots in a pure motorsport competition that combines speed, precision and skill. Using the fastest, most agile and lightweight racing planes, pilots navigate a low-level aerial track made up of air-filled pylons 80 feet high at speeds of up to 230 mph. The competition is expected to be even more intense in 2014 as all 12 pilots will be using a standardized engine and propeller, intensifying the focus on pilot skill and precision flying through the high-g turns in the challenging race courses.
Tickets are now available through redbullairrace.com, ticketmaster.com, lvms.com, texasmotorspeedway.com and in person at both the Las Vegas Motor Speedway box office (800/644-4444) and Texas Motor Speedway box office (817/215-8500). Each ticket for the Finals on Sunday will also grant the ticket bearer access to Qualifying and the Challenger Cup on Saturday. Available ticket options include:
General Admission Weekend Packages - $39
Sunday ticket also grants Saturday access
Includes: open seating location (no assigned seats). Neon Garage and Hangar Walk (hangar area access at set times) can be purchased for an additional $25 (adult) and $19 (junior) at the venue on the day of the event.
Reserved Terrace Weekend Packages with VIP access - $59
Sunday ticket also grants Saturday access
Includes: front stretch terrace seats with excellent sightlines of the entire Speedway; wide, flip-down seats with cup holders and a private concourse with restrooms, concessions and elevator access; Neon Garage and Hangar Walk for both days.
Race Club Weekend Packages - $350
Sunday ticket also grants Saturday access
Includes: premium seats in the main grandstand; VIP Clubhouse Room access with food and beverage (Saturday and Sunday); Neon Garage & Hangar Walk for two days; an assortment of food and snacks served on Sunday (beer and wine will be included, in addition to soda and water); one VIP parking pass for every two tickets purchased; theater-style flip-down seats with cup holders; official event program; and special Red Bull Air Race pilot appearances.
Two-time world champion (2009 and 2010) Paul Bonhomme of Britain will lead a field of 12 hard-charging challengers from nine other countries in his quest for an unprecedented third straight title in the high-speed, low-altitude sport. The complete field also includes two Americans: Kirby Chambliss, who won the world title in 2004 and 2006, and Michael Goulian. The rest of the pilots include: 2008 champion Hannes Arch (AUT), Nigel Lamb (GBR), Matt Hall (AUS), Peter Besenyei (HUN), Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA), Matthias Dolderer (GER), Yoshi Muroya (JPN), Pete McLeod (CAN) and Martin Sonka (CZE).
Extremely motivated after the three-year break, the pilots have been training feverishly with their crews to get their agile and lightweight racing pilots in peak condition ahead of the eagerly awaited Red Bull Air Race World Championship season-opener in Abu Dhabi on February 28/March 1. The racing then moves on to Putrajaya, Malaysia on May 16/17, Gdynia, Poland on July 26/27, Ascot, United Kingdom on August 16/17, Dallas/Fort Worth September 6/7, Las Vegas on October 11/12 and China on November 1/2. More information is available at www.redbullairrace.com.
Red Bull Air Race World Championship Returns in 2014
Global Series Returns with Seven Races, Including Two U.S. Stops in Dallas/Fort Worth and Las Vegas
American Red Bull Air Race pilot Kirby Chambliss “breaks in” Las Vegas Motor Speedway with inaugural flight. (Garth Milan, Red Bull Content Pool )The Red Bull Air Race World Championship will be back in the skies beginning in February 2014 with a seven-race World Championship staged in six countries on three continents. Of the seven races, two will take place in the U.S. - Dallas/Fort Worth at Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 6-7 and Las Vegas at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 11-12. Fans will be able to watch the entire seven-race 2014 Red Bull Air Race World Championship on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2, and can sign up to be reminded when tickets become available at
Winners Announced for the 16th Annual EAA AirVenture Cup
Race 91, Bruce Hammer, taking off in his Glasair I TD from Mount Vernon Airport on the morning of July 28. Mr. Hammer won 1st Place in the Formula FX Blue division. (Photo courtesy of Geoff Sobering).The winners have been announced for the 16th Annual EAA AirVenture Cup cross-country air race.
The race started at 9:30 a.m. July 28 departing from Mount Vernon, Ill. with two turn points before ending in Waupaca, Wis. for a total mileage of 460 nm. The fastest aircraft of the day was a Turbine Legend, flown by Marty Abbott who came in at a time of 1:17:55 and an average speed of 354.30 mph.
A total of 48 aircraft raced in the event, which included experimental and certified aircraft categories. Two of the aircraft, both Glasair I TDs, where flown by Steve and Bruce Hammer, who have been competing against each other in the race since 1998. Bruce beat his bother this year by just under six minutes.
Golden Age Race Winner with a Fine Irish Name
By Alan Smith
Benny Howard’s Mister Mulligan, 1935 winner of both Bendix amd Thompson trophies. (San Diego Air and Space Museum)As air racing’s Golden Age of the 1930s went on, the design of new racers continued to lead advancement in both military and civil aviation. In 1935, Benny Howard’s high wing monoplane Mister Mulligan was a classic example of this. With Gordon Israel as co-pilot, Howard won the cross country Bendix from the West coast to Cleveland and then with Harold Neumann as pilot, Mulligan went on to win the Thompson Trophy. The Bendix trophy was won partly because Howard and Israel used on-board oxygen for the first time and stayed above the weather. The oxygen system was another racing innovation passed on to other designers in the military and civil aviation world.
1935 was really Benny Howard’s year of triumph. Not only did Mulligan win both the Bendix and the Thompson, but Neumann also won the Greve Trophy in Howard’s little Mike racer.
The Pylon Place - May 2012
State of the Races
By Marilyn Dash
Waiting for September (Mike Arnold)On April 10, the NTSB presented their preliminary recommendations during a well-attended Press Conference at the Reno Tahoe Airport. Unable to attend in person, I was able to view the on-line version. I will say, the first time I really believed we were racing in September was after I heard the words of NTSB Chairperson, Deborah Hersman, state, “We are not here to put a stop to air racing, we are here to make it safer.” With those words, I saw a bright light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.
During the conference, several recommendations were addressed. I will review several here and give my comments.