'Godfather' Besenyei embraces new technical direction

Red Bull Air Race
News
'Godfather' Besenyei embraces new technical direction

'Godfather' Besenyei embraces new technical direction

Getty Images for Red Bull Air Race

by Kirsten Corrigan on Jul 8, 2010

TÖKOL, Hungary – There has been a noticeable spring in Peter Besenyei’s step since his team unveiled the long-awaited Corvus Racer in Canada at the start of June. Historically not one for dramatic modifications but rather a firm believer in pilot skill as the key to success in the Red Bull Air Race, the Hungarian pilot has also enlisted the help of a new tech to get his campaign back on track in 2010.

“It’s a long way to come but of course we are happy to introduce the new aeroplane into the Red Bull Air Race,” said Besenyei, who was instrumental in the development of the Hungarian-designed and built machine, which took two years to complete. “It’s the only plane from Europe, which makes us proud. Obviously we need a couple of races to set up the plane and to make some small modifications, changes and improvements. It’s the same with the engine but I think the plane is nice and has great potential. We’re looking forward to the future and hopefully will have it fully ready by the Budapest race.”

New plane, new tech and finally results

The new race plane is in the capable hands of US tech Jim ‘Jimbo’ Reed, whose straight-talking approach is adding an entirely new dimension to the team’s set-up. Originally recruited in 2009 to assist Team Bonhomme, carbon-fibre expert Reed was quickly identified by Besenyei as a future asset. With the right credentials to work on the range of US-built machines that the Hungarian pilot flies – he has famously owned one of every type of race plane – Jimbo was a natural replacement for Besenyei’s former tech Tibor Nagy at the start of 2010.

“My technician Jimbo is the magic guy and he can do everything,” laughed Besenyei, after a particularly labour-intensive engine swap in Canada where the engine from his MXS-R was rehoused in the Corvus. The scene in the hangar was reminiscent of a medical TV drama with both planes side-by-side and their engines, wires and hoses uncovered as if an important organ transplant were taking place.

“The developments are ongoing,” added Besenyei after the New York round in June, where the wide-bodied race plane returned to the skies for its second race. “We’ve got new paint, modified wings and another 100 little steps to go further as the break in the race schedule gives us time to breathe. It’s perfect for us to make the plane more competitive.”

With the challenge of making the prototype race plane competitive in time for the German round at the Lausitz EuroSpeedway on 7-8 August, Jimbo is enthused about the new role and has already established himself as a key component in the high profile team. The team’s 8th place result in New York is believed to be the start of a new chapter in their quest to get back some of the success that has eluded them in the past few seasons. Despite often flying clean lines and without penalties, Besenyei has failed to make real headway in the championship as other teams ramp up their technical activities around him. It’s believed that his new-found faith in an improved machine and forward-thinking tech could be just the ticket to the podium.