The Red Bull Air Race World Championship (formerly known as the Red Bull Air Race), established in 2003 and created by Red Bull GmbH, was an international series of air races in which entrants compete to navigate a challenging obstacle course in the fastest time. Pilots flew individually against the clock and were required to complete tight turns through a slalom course consisting of inflatable pylons, known as "Air Gates". The races were held mainly over water near cities, but were also held at airfields or natural wonders (such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Monument Valley). Races were usually flown on weekends with the first day for qualification then knockout finals the day after. The events attracted large crowds and are broadcast, both live and in highlights, in many nations. At each venue, the top ten places earned World Championship points. The air racer with the most points at the end of the Championship became Red Bull Air Race World Champion.[1] After a three-year hiatus from 2011 for safety improvements and reorganisation, the Air Race resumed in 2014.[2]
The inaugural series comprising two races was won by the Hungarian pilot Péter Besenyei who went on to secure second place the following three series. The most successful pilot in the history of the championship is Briton Paul Bonhomme who won the title on three occasions, in 2009, 2010 and 2015.[3] British and American pilots are the most successful, with four titles for each nationality. The championship was cancelled after the 2019 event.
- ^ "Rules and Principles". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ^ Miller, Alyssa (December 2013). "Pilot Briefing: Red Bull Air Race returns". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. p. 36. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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