Red Bull Air Race World Series

[coaster_dude2002]

I flipped passed this the other week on TV and was instantly addicted to it.

The speed, and skill needed for the race is ridiculous. It consists of 12 pilots flying racing planes through a 1.5km course with a series of “Air Gates”. The pilots must fly through or around the gates and achieve the fastest time. The races are fast paced and action packed. Their website contains a lot of information on the competition.

 

Reb Bull Air Race

 

Here is a clip from the 2006 season.

 

Has anyone gone to one of the races, or watched them on TV?

 

2008 Race locations:

Abu Dhabi, UAE – April 10 & 11

San Diego, USA – May 3 & 4

Detroit, USA – May 31 & June 1

Stockholm, SWE – July 5 & 6

Rotterdam, NED – July 19 & 20

London, GBR – August 2 & 3

Budapest, HUN – August 19 & 20

Porto, POR – September 6 & 7

Tbc, ESP – September 27 & 28

Perth, AUS - November 1 & 2

 

Tickets go on sale April 1st if anyone is interested in attending a race.

[Yankee cannonball]

Holy crap! Those G's make you look at you're 5 year old cousins RCT3 track and say "that could work".

[sfotkid]

This really isn't new stuff. People have been pylon racing since the 1920's with the old Gee Bee's and stuff. After WW2 people modified old fighter planes to do this stuff. Only now since Red Bull is sponsering is it getting popular. Man, those Extra 3000's can pull 7-8 G's, Tough pilots.

[haiderodes]

I really enjoy watching these races on tv. Its always scary when they "nick" the side of the pylons.

[chmilo24]

I've been to the San Diego and San Fran races, it is awesome. When you go to one you are never bored because its not like they a halftime or anything. If you have the chance to go, then go. It is spectacular.

[Fallen Heretic]

Ive been watching the Red Bull for a couple of years now. Its cool to see air racing rising in popularity. It really is edge of the seat stuff at times when one of the pilots gets it a little bit wrong. Last year one of the brits almost smashed into a small cliff-face when he glanced down at his controls for a second. I swear my heart almost stopped.

[hansrubens]

In Holland it's been broadcasted for 3 seasons.

 

I always like to watch those races.

[dandaman]

The only place I can think of having it in Detroit (or over, as it were) is on the River, and that straddles a border obviously. Seems like a big no-no for customs.

[Vekoma Fan Boy]

I really enjoy watching these races on tv. Its always scary when they "nick" the side of the pylons.

 

Yeah, but the thing is, they are just an air filled plastic material, (kinda like a moon bounce) so if you 'nick' one of them, it doesn't do anything. In fact, there is a clip in the video where a plane completely slices the top of one off.

[iZak]

I went to the race in San Diego last year, and I'm going again this year. This has to be one of the best sports ever. Well, besides F1...

[coaster_dude2002]

I just finished watching the London race from 2007 and was shocked to see how close the course was to the city. I didn't think they would have them flying that close to the millennium dome and the office towers.

 

The only place I can think of having it in Detroit (or over, as it were) is on the River, and that straddles a border obviously. Seems like a big no-no for customs.

 

They would only have to get clearance for the 12 pilots so it wouldn't be too hard.

[Théo the little french]

OMG! This is the first time I see something like that! That's totaly crazy!! I'd like so much to see a demo in France (I shouldn't dream). It must be so great to watch!