NEW YORK – Following the Red Bull Air Race investigation into Australian pilot Matt Hall’s aviation mishap in Windsor last week, the Race Committee have imposed sanctions resulting in Hall not being permitted to compete in New York.
As part of the standard aviation operating procedures, the Red Bull Air Race’s Technical Director, the Race Director and the Sporting Medical Director were required to investigate the June 5 incident in which Hall’s race plane splashed off the surface of the Detroit River. This incident followed a sequence of earlier events which were also taken into consideration including a wing stall in Perth and disqualification in Rio for dangerous flying.
Hall was not hurt in the incident in Windsor; however, his MXS-R race plane sustained minor damage to an aileron and landing gear wheel cover, when its wing and landing gear skimmed off the surface of the Detroit River during a Qualifying session run. Hall was disqualified from the Qualifying session.
Following the investigation, a recommendation was made to the Race Committee including sanctions as well as a formal proposal to ensure Hall’s safe return to the Championship.
The Race Committee has approved the recommendations including sanctions preventing him from competing in Championship round in New York. Hall will, however, be permitted to participate in a step down training program in New York as part of the process to return him to full competition status.
The former Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilot, who was the most successful rookie in Red Bull Air Race history last year with third place overall, did not take part in the June 6 race in Windsor. Hall, 38, is currently in fifth place in the world championship with 22 points from four races.
While disappointed to not be racing in New York, Hall has accepted the decision of the race committee and is now focused on returning to the eight event championship.
“I am pretty disappointed to not be racing in New York but it is something I have to accept,” Hall said. “The race committee have a process to follow and they were very thorough in their dealings and deliberations with me. While I have the utmost confidence in my abilities as a race pilot and am determined to bounce back better than ever, missing this race will give me an opportunity to analyse my flying style and performances before I race again.”
The Australian said he was looking forward to getting "back on the horse" in New York with the step down training program in New York.
“This certainly has been a challenging fortnight for myself, my family and my team but it is good to be able to get in the race track and back on the horse, so to speak, and I will use my training time wisely to ensure I am ready to go again once I get the green light,” Hall said. “My team, family and friends have all been great, as have my major sponsors Massel and Eventscorp Western Australia and their support has been greatly appreciated. “I am a positive person and I am sure one day we will be able to look back on this time as a productive step along the pathway to sustained success.”
Hall will return to Australia next week and take a short break before focusing on the European leg of the Championships that begin with the German leg on August 7/8.
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