The virtual Red Bull Air Race season is now fully underway with armchair pilots from around the globe stepping into the shoes of the likes of double world champion Paul Bonhomme and the rest of the air racing elite.
The very first virtual ace and winner of the Abu Dhabi round of the 2011 online championship is frtefly who wins Red Bull Air Race binoculars to help view plenty of aerial action up close and personal. Well done!
Random prizes were also awarded to TopProp in 3rd place (belt), Lady X in 13th place (keyring) and Marcin Haisz in 30th place (handytag).
April’s competition features the exciting track in Budapest, which required pilots to fly under the historic Chain Bridge and traditionally took place on the August national holiday each year. Make sure you buckle up before the end of the month for your chance to win another great prize and to be named the winner of the second stop in the 2011 virtual championship.
Season opener full of action
The inaugural season opener was played on the Abu Dhabi simulated track, imitating the first stop of the championship since 2005. The track location, nestled in the famous Corniche in the UAE cultural hotspot, marked a tough start to the season for real-life pilots due to the high temperatures – luckily not a problem with the virtual game.
In 2010, American pilot Michael Goulian suffered a gut-wrenching setback after his fuel overheated in the sweltering 105°F heat and he was unable to start his Edge 540 from the grid heading into the Final 4. “When these engines are hot they just don’t want to go. Pretty soon you just have to say ‘that’s it’ and walk away,” shrugged Goulian after the disappointment.
There was little for defending champion Bonhomme to be disappointed about with a blistering start to the season and a top spot on the podium. Fellow British pilot Nigel Lamb was second while Hungarian Peter Besenyei flew to third place.
Teams update
Back in the real world the teams are continuing to work on their race skills, flying aerobatics and keeping g-force fit during the break from the championship. In addition to staying race-ready, the fifteen teams like to keep busy with as many flying projects as they can conjure up. Here are a few snippets from the team hangars to keep eager fans in the loop…
Reigning back-to-back world champion Bonhomme is keeping busy with fellow Red Bull Air Race veteran Steve Jones flying together as The Matadors at airshows across the UK and Europe.
Across the Atlantic, Kirby Chambliss continues to blaze a trail from his Flying Crown ranch in Arizona where he keeps a selection ‘toys’ that allow him to spend most of his time in the air. Chambliss is just back from the annual Sun ‘n Fun event in Florida, where he displayed in front of the crowds and signed plenty of autographs for fans.
2008 world champion Hannes Arch has also been busy, participating in a string of new aerial initiatives and events around the world. In February Arch was in the UAE to unveil his Rhythm & Air concept at the Al Ain show. Bringing together dancers, live music and an exhilarating aerobatic routine, the new concept in freestyle display flying was an immediate hit. Back in Europe the thrill-seeking Arch also organised a charity go-kart snow race in the Tyrol, Austria. The RACE-4-KIDS event takes place twice a year and the proceeds go towards helping children in Austria and Germany.
If you want to see Arch in action, head to the Airpower 2011 airshow on 1-2 July in Zeltweg, Austria. Alongside displays from the Red Bull Air Race pilot will be a whole host of military and civilian teams filling the skies with their jaw-dropping routines and gravity-defying tricks. Among the highlights will be the pristine Lockeed P-38 Lightning and mighty Corsair from the Salzburg-based Hangar 8 collection.
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