BARCELONA, Spain - What a race! What a season! Bonhomme comes through under pressure in front of 800,000 people to win his first championship. It's a fantastic tribute to the Brit's "never-say-die" spirit after two years of getting 2nd. And a triumph made all the more special by his clutch victory in the final race of the year here in Barcelona. It was a truly epic battle and a sterling effort from Arch, who kept the pressure on Bonhomme until the final minute of the final race. The wily Austrian almost pulled it off -- and he had everyone's heart beating a little bit faster with that spine-tingling challenge. Also, Australia's Matt Hall takes 3rd, an incredible achievement for a rookie despite a rather disappointing 9th today. It was also a great day for Nigel Lamb, deservedly getting on the podium for the first time. And another rookie that everyone will be writing about next year, Matthias Dolderer of Germany, got his first career podium -- 3rd place here. Japan's Yoshi Muroya, yet another rookie, had a career-best 6th place. Perhaps the most incredible statistic of this most incredible season is the fact that eight (8!) different pilots got on the podium this year. That has never happened before. It shows how competitive this championship was. See you next year! by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM20:02
Here's a story about Bonhomme learned to love 2nd place in Budapest -- a result that lifted him in front of Arch: www.redbullairrace.com
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM18:30
He won Windsor in round 3, finally, to get those "2nd place again" questioners off his back for a while. But then he got 2nd place again in Budapest in round 4. So 3 second place finishes in four races. But because Arch fell to 4th in Budapest, 2nd place was suddenly a good enough result to lift Bonhomme into the lead. So Bonhomme suddenly learned to love second place after all.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM18:28
Earlier in the season, after Bonhomme had finished 2nd to Arch in Abu Dhabi and second to Ivanoff in San Diego, he sounded slightly annoyed: "I'm not a second place kind guy," Bonhomme said.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM18:24
You could see the weight just melting off Bonhomme's shoulders as he savoured the moment of this championship while the British national anthem played. No more of those annoying "Mr. Number 2" questions from pesky journalists. No more Mr. Number 2 doubts. He's Number 1 now.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM18:23
Arch says: "The further away from the race, I'm feeling good. The season is over. Sure I wanted to stay on the podium. I'm happy about my runs and the performance of the team and the plane."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:38
Bonhomme says: "I'm very happy. It's been a lot of hard work but we got there in the end. Of course it's been a huge amount of pressure but I'm not about to admit to that during the week. It's just a question of how you deal with it at the right time. I wasn't expecting to be 7th in the Top 12, so I thought I'd better get my skates on and that worked."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:37
Bonhomme clinches Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Barcelona
BARCELONA, Spain – Britain’s Paul Bonhomme won the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship on Sunday with a sensational victory in the final race of the season in Barcelona in front of a crowd of 800,000 spectators, holding off a strong challenge from defending champion Hannes Arch of Austria.
Bonhomme finished with 67 championship points with Arch second on 60. Australian rookie Matt Hall took 3rd place overall in the championship.
Britain’s Nigel Lamb got the first podium of the season with second place in Barcelona and German rookie Matthias Dolderer got third place, his first podium.
“Fantastic, thank you Barcelona,” Bonhomme said after shouting for joy when he heard the news on his radio.
World Championship Results:
1st Paul Bonhomme
2nd Hannes Arch
3rd Matt Hall
Red Bull Air Race Barcelona
1st Paul Bonhomme
2nd Nigel Lamb
3rd Matthias Dolderer
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:33
Even though Chambliss looked so disconsolate, he made a big jump up the standings from 6th place to 4th with his 5th place finish today, passing Mangold and Ivanoff. Chambliss ends up with 34 points, two behind Hall.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:29
Dolderer says: "It's a dream to be on the podium in my first season. I could have won the race if I didn't get the penalty. I'm super happy. I'll chase Paul and Hannes next year. They're going to have to watch out for me."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:27
So Bonhomme wins the title with 67 points, Arch is second with 60 and Matt Hall hangs on for 3rd place with 36 points despite his season-worst 9th place today.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:26
"Superb flying from Dolderer," says Jones. "he had just one weakness. It was his exit from the Quadro. If had got that sorted, he could have won this. Great flying by Dolderer."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:23
It was an indeed a great scene at the Airport just now. Bonhomme and Arch haven't traded smiles in ages. But they just did there. They had a good laugh. they made each other better all year. What a great, great battle, right down the very end.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:22
And Bonhomme comes over and shakes Arch's hand. "What a nice shot," says Nick Fellows. "It's been an epic battle all season."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:21
Arch says: "To be honst, I was really happy with my performance. I was second in the chajpionship. there's nothing to be disappointed about. It was a real good fight all year. I gave Paul a good fight all year. He didn't get anything for free. I was always setting fast times and pushing him. we'll see what happens next year."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:21
Arch says: "I tried the best. I hit a pyulon. I know that I was fast. That's what I tried. I was giving everything. It's a race. You can't win if you sit on the brakes. I did everything and hit the pylon. That was it. I'm happy for Paul. He deserves the championship."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:20
Nigel Lamb says: "It's my second happy end at the end of the season. It's time I got it together during the season. I'm glad it all came together for the whole team. We've done some stuff to the engine which helped in this last race. It's head work, it's 80 pct my problem. I'm very happy to end the season like that, it gives me some energy for over the winter for next season."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:19
It was the second straight year a European pilot on the championship. Arch of Austrian won in 2008. Before that, the race was ruled by the Americans. Mangold in 05 and 07 with Chambliss on top in 06.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:18
Crowd of 800,000 here today!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:17
"I'm very very happy," says Bonhomme. "There's been a bit of prssure this week. It's nice to get the win here."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:17
Bonhomme gives his technician a big hug right after landing.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:16
Bonhomme asks Race Director Jim DiMatteo for permission to fly through the track one more time and gets it. A Red Bull Air Race victory lap
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:08
Bonhomme is British (most of the time) but he lets out a very un-British-like shout for joy when he hears he's won the championship.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:08
"Fantastic! thank you Barcelona!" says Bonhomme.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:07
17:07 Paul Bonhomme is the 2009 World Champion!
Bonhomme wins. It's official!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:07
Arch stops the clock in 1:27.04 -- 4th place
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:06
Arch is 4.92 behind at the third interval.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:06
The pressure got to Arch! He was going all out and hit the quadro.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:05
It looks like Bonhomme has also won the race, his 3rd victory of the season!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:05
Arch hits a pylon in the quadro.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:05
But Bonhomme doesnt know it yet. He's in a holding pattern now and has to wait til all 4 have flown. "Brilliant flying by Paul Bonhomme," says Fellows. "We thought he was starting to buckle under the pressure, but he didn't."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:03
"The crowd are on their feet. Bonhomme has just won the world championship" says Fellows.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:02
Bonhomme is the world champion
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:02
Bonhomme's time is 1:22.87
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:02
Bonhomme's 3rd interval is 0.93 ahead
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:02
Bonhomme's second interval is 0.54 ahead
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:01
Bonhomme's first interval is 23.63, 0.33 ahead.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:01
Here he goes, good start
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:01
Hold on...
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:01
Bonhomme needs to beat just Dolderer, a 1:24.32, and he's the champ.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:01
Whoa! Is this getting tense here. The crowd is going berserk. Lamb will get on the podium here! Nice one Nigel. Only Bonhomme and Arch left. Lamb can't finish worse than 3rd. Now it's Bonhomme's turn. He doesn't know what their times were.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM17:00
Dolderer finishes in 1:24.32, 0.48 behind Lamb.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:59
He's 0.69 behind at the third interval.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:58
Dolderer is 0.75 behind at the midway point.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:58
That is good news for Bonhomme.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:58
A penalty. Incorrect knife flying.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:58
Here comes Dolderer
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:57
That's a good time for Lamb. But Bonhomme was 0.99 ahead of that in his Super 8 run. That's irrelevant now. Bonhomme will have to do that again.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:57
Lamb's wants to get on the podium. His time is 1:23.84.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:56
Lamb's midway time is 41.20
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:56
Remember -- Bonhomme just needs to beat one of these guys and he's the champ!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:55
The order is Lamb, Dolderer, Bonhomme and Arch.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:54
16:53 Final 4 starts
"1 minute to Nigel Lamb"
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:54
These interviews with the two main actors in this great drama are so telling. You don't even need to hear what they're saying because the looks on their faces tell it all. Bonhomme had an ashen look on his face earlier while Arch was all smiles. Now it's the other way around with Bonhomme looking hugely relieved with that superb Super 8 run and Arch looking very tense.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:53
For those who need a translation of Arch's Austrian-accented English, this is what Arch meant when he said "Now I'm in the Final 4 and that's important. Thank you." is this: "My god, was that close. Please stay away from me young lady because I'm concentrating my arse off here and you're just getting in my way with your friggin microphone. Thank you."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:51
Arch says: "Now I'm in the Final 4 and that's important. Thank you."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:49
For those who don't speak British English, what Bonhomme really meant when he said "It's quite a fun afternoon" is this: "Holy cow, I can't believe this. What the hell is going on here. First he's faster, then I'm faster, then he gets a penalty and is about to get knocked out, but then he speeds up and just beats Kirby and that means it's all still wide open."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 2:48:22 PM16:48
Bonhomme looks like a happy camper now: "It's quite a fun afternoon," he says while wiping the sweat off his face. "We shall see."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:47
Chambliss looks unahppy and says: "I was just kind of going for it. That 2 second penalty I had to do it otherwise I would have hit the gate. We'll live to fight another day. I always push. next season I'll push harder. We want to take the championship next year."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:46
But if Arch wins and Bonhomme finishes 4th, Arch wins the championship.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:43
If Arch had finished behind Chambliss, the championship would have been decided. But now we've got the final showdown we were all hoping for. It's Bonhomme vs. Arch in the final. Lamb and Dolderer will also be there. Bonhomme just needs 3rd place to clinch the championship.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:43
Even though he got an incorrect knife edge penalty at the quadro, Arch has a blazing run and slips into the Final 4 with a time of 1:24.30 -- just 0.32 ahead of Chambliss for that 4th and final ticket to the finals.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:42
"By the skin of his teeth, Hannes Arch goes into the final round," says Fellows
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:41
16:40 End of Super 8
Arch's time is 1:24.30 -- 4th place.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:40
Arch cuts the gap to 1.29 by the third interval.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:40
ARch is 1.92 behind at the midway poitn.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:40
Arch gets an incorrect knife!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:39
Arch gets a judging gate 3
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:39
Here comes Arch.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:39
So that means Dolderer is in the Final 4. Lamb and Bonhomme also qualified. Now it's up to Arch. Will he get that last spot? Or will it go to Chambliss, who is now sitting in 4th?
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:37
Ivanoff's time is 1:25.43 -- 2.58 seconds
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:37
Oh no! penalty for Ivanoff. Incorrect knife!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:37
Judging gate 3.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:36
So Bonhomme and Lamb are definitely in the final
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:35
Whoa! Was that exciting. What a brilliant run under enormous pressure for Bonhomme. His fastest run of the day...at the right time.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:35
"That's an upper cut and a really big smash to the face of Hannes Arch," says Master of Ceremonies Joe McGrath.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:34
"He's raising his game at the right time and Bonhomme is through," says Fellows.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:34
Bonhomme's time is 1:22.85, 0.71 ahead of Lamb. He's in the final 4.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:34
Bonhomme is having a good run and 0.02 ahead at the third interval.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:33
Bonhomme is 0.04 ahead of Lamb at the midway point.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:33
Bonhomme at interval 1 is 0.05 behind Lamb
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:33
It's now or never for Bonhomme. His championship hopes are on the line right here, right now.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:32
Three pilots left: Bonhomme, Ivanoff and Arch.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:32
That means Lamb is in the Final 4!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:31
Dolderer crosses the line in : 1:24.26, 0.70 behind Lamb. The German really made up for that 2-second penalty. Powerful engine.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:31
Dolderer gets hit with an incorrect knife on gate 3.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:30
Here comes Dolderer, the German rookie. Pressure's on here.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:29
"Nigel's getting better and better, getting more confident," says Jones. "It's finally all coming together for him."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:29
Lamb is handling the pressure and his time of 1:23.56 puts the Brit into the lead.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:28
Lamb is 2.36 ahead of Chambliss at the midway point. "So far, so good for Lamb," said TV commentator Nick Fellows.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:28
Lamb is so eager for a strong finish to a disappointing season. He's been close to the podium but never quite made it. Will he do it today?
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:27
Besenyei's time is 1:26.16, 1.54 behind and good enough for only 3rd place. That penalty really hurts! The wind caused him problems in the quadro.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:25
Oh no, penalty for Besenyei
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:24
His time is 1:24.62, 0.20 ahead of Muroya. Wow
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:22
Chambliss has almost negated that 2 second penalty by the third intervl
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:22
Chambliss gets high with a 2-second penalty for flying through one gate too high.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:21
Muroya crosses the line in 1:24.82, faster than his earlier runs. He's having a great day.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:18
The fastest 4 in the Super 8s advance to the Final 4.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:18
16:17 Muroya opens the Super 8
Muroya opens the Super 8s.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:17
Neither Bonhomme or Arch wanted to say much in the interview for the TV monitors just before flying off.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:17
Arch said: "That was nice and clean."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:16
Bonhomme says: "I hope so," when asked if he could find some more speed on the track. "But I don't know I'll found out in a minute. A steady run but the win did get up at the start so we'll see."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:1
Goulian says: "I was just pulling a little harder than I should have been. I was feeling a little 'gray' in the quadro and had to back off and hit the quadro. I think I have an airplane that is right up there. I just have to learn how to fly it. I know I can be one of the fastest pilots out here."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:13
Speaking of "firsts", it was the first time this year that Hall did not make it into the Super 8s. It could be a very, very costly "first" for the Aussie because he is only 5 points ahead of Ivanoff in the battle for third place and 6 points ahead of Chambliss. Hall finishes the season with 36 points.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:12
"Great news for Yoshi, overdue for Yoshi to get into the next round," Jones says. Indeed, it's Muroya's first Super 8 appearance.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:10
Ivanoff, Arch, Chambliss, Dolderer, Lamb, Besneyei, Bonhomme and Muroya. advance to the Super 8.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:09
16:08 End of Top 12
Wow, what a round. Bonhomme slips into the Super 8s with a 7th place. Arch gets 2nd behind Ivanoff. "The pressure is on Bonhomme," said TV commentator Steve Jones.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:08
He's 0.66 behind at the third split and crosses the finish line in 1:22.29 -- 2nd place.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:07
Arch is 0.29 behind at the first split after coming very close to a pylon in the quadro. He's 0.54 behind at the midway point.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:06
Here comes Arch!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:05
"That also pushes Bonhomme down to 6th position," says Nick Fellows. "Let's hope he's saving his best for later."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:05
That's bad news for Hall. He's now back in 8th place with Arch up next.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:05
Ivanoff is clocked in 1:21.97 -- moves 1.16 ahead of Chambliss.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:04
"Great flying by Ivanoff," says Steve Jones. "He just loves these turning tracks."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:04
Ivanoff is 1:12 ahead at the first split and 1.57 ahead at the midway point
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:03
Hall's slip means Muroya qualifies for the Super 8s. Hall will be chewing his finger nails to see if the two pilots left, Ivanoff and Hall, fly faster than he did.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:03
Matt Hall has a shaky first lap, is 0.32 behind at the midway point. He's 2.11 back at the third interval. His time is: 1:25.53 -- 7th place. Oh no!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:01
Something went terribly wrong in the third interval for Bonhomme. His time there was 1.6o slower than Chambliss. His time is only good enough for 5th place. The plot thickens.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM16:00
Bonhomme falls 1.31 behind in the third interval and stops the clock in 1:24.46 -- 1.33 behind Chambliss.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:58
Bonhomme is 0.16 ahead of Chambliss at the first interval, 0.29 ahead at the midway point.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:58
Here comes Paul Bonhomme. The championship leader. Pressure is on.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:57
"Beautiful flying," says Steve Jones. But Dolderer lost time in the third interval and finishes in 1:23.36 -- 0.23 behind Chambliss. He qualifies for the Super 8. But what happened on lap 2?
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:56
Dolderer is 0.44 ahead at the first interval and 0.59 ahead at the midway point.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:55
Matthias Dolderer is the third rookie up today after McLeod and Muroya. He wants a podium today.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:54
Lamb stops the clock in 1:24.03 -- 0.90 behind Chambliss. Good enough for second. That should be good enough for a spot in the Super Eights. "That's great, thank you very much," says a very happy Lamb.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:54
Nigel Lamb is 0.28 ahead of Chambliss at the midway point. He's flying well.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:53
"The winds are picking up," notes Nick Fellows. "That's going to make the quadro even more difficult." It's now up to 24 km/h.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:51
The Air Gators are back out there fixing the Quadro again. They're getting so fast. Their record for a pylon repair job is 1:14, set in San Diego. They're eager to break that and get below 1 minute one day. They got a 1:17 in Barcelona the other day. Here's a story on the Air Gators: www.redbullairrace.com
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:50
You can see the pain on his face after he crosses the line and hears his time: 1:28.89 -- 5th place.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:48
It's the Porto Goulian, not the Budapest Goulian today. He just hit a pylon in the Quadro. Quin desastre.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:47
Goulian won in Budapest but fell to 9th in Porto. Will the real Michael Goulian please stand up?
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:46
"Number 99 Goulian, cleared for the track, Smoke On!" says Race Director Jimmy DiMatteo.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:46
But the Hungarian loses steam in lap 2 and finishes in 1:24.14, 1.01 behind. It will be tough to advance with a time like that.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:45
And Besenyei is in the "green" too at the first interval. He's 0.26 ahead of Chambliss at the halfway point.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:44
Chambliss stops the clock in 1:23.13 -- 1.95 ahead of Muroya. Superb Kirby. Nice run.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:43
Chambliss is on a tear. He's 0.21 ahead of Muroya at the end of the first lap. "Great lines for Kirby in the quadro," says Nick Fellows.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:42
Maclean finishes in 1:26.83, good enough for 2nd place. That 2-second penalty will loom large. He got booked for an "incorrect knife" on Gate 2. He just rolled a bit too much into the Quadro.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:41
Quin desastre. But Maclean is fighting back, he's just 1.69 seconds behind
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:40
Oh no! Maclean gets a 2-second penalty right off the bat. That will hurt his chances of getting to the Super 8.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:39
Spain's Alejandro Maclean comes into the track and the crowd is going crazy.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:39
While waiting for those Air Gators to do their thing, the Barcelona crowd just got treated to two of the best pylon hits in along time. Both Muroya and Michael Goulian destroyed 2 pylons in quick succession in the Quadro in training the other day.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:37
It's a real shame for McLeod too because his time without the 6-second penalty is a very competitive 1:26.33 -- 1.25 behind Muroya. So Muroya will get at least one point...maybe more.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:34
Bummer indeed Erik, he's been immaculate these past few days
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 PM15:34
Oh no! First pylon hit of the week for McLeod. That's the wrong time for a mistake. six seconds in penalties! Bummer.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:33
I spoke too soon.
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 PM15:33
Pete McLeod's technician Ted Reynolds just back at the hangar, he's pleased the day isn't over just yet and says Pete might have a chance if he keeps flying clean... he'll be watching the screens closely as Pete enters the track.
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 PM15:32
The man from Japan is right on the edge of getting a penalty but manages to avoid getting docked. His time is 1:25.08. It's a pretty good time.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:32
15:32 Muroya kicks of Top 12
Here comes Muroya to kick of the Top 12
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:32
Just 7 minutes until the Top 12 starts. Bonhomme leads with 55 points and Arch has 52 points. If they end up tied on points, Bonhomme would win the championship because he has more higher results this year. So far, Bonhomme has 2 firsts and 3 seconds. Arch has 1 first, 2 seconds, 1 third and 1 fourth. So for Arch to win the championship, he will have to have more points than Bonhomme. So if Arch wins and Bonhomme takes 3rd, Bonhomme is the champion. If Arch wins and Bonhomme takes 4th, Arch is the champion.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:25
@MattHallRacing well you learn something new every day! Makes sense and gives a new meaning to Ice Man I suppose...
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/PM15:05
So maybe growing up flying float planes across rugged northern Canada is ideal preparation for the Red Bull Air Race afterall. McLeod did very well in Windsor too, which also had a tricky Quadro on a very windy Detroit River. He suffered on the "drag strip" tracks over narrow European rivers in Budapest and Porto -- where there was no Quadro. But he's taking full advantage of his chances here. He's got just 1 championship point this year and is at the bottom of the standings, behind Muroya and Dell on 3 each. McLeod could get 1 point for 11th, 2 for 10th or 3 for 9th...or are we getting ahead of ourselves here?
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM15:02
We don't want to get too geeky on you here but out of curiosity we took a quick look at McLeod's Quadro time -- that four gate monster with a 270-degree turn in between that separates the men from the boys here in Barcelona. He completely aced it, a 6.68-second quadro on the first lap. That's up there at the Arch/Bonhomme level. That was over a full second faster than the other four in the Wild Card. That's some pretty good flying. If he only had a faster plane....
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:56
Team Muroya preparing to fly in the Top 12, G-suit just gone in the fridge! That's a new technique, surely? Team Coordinator Rob Fry pleased with the result but it's now vital that Yoshi gets back in the zone for his next flight.
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 PM14:55
The organisers of this race deserve some credit for that brilliant rookie showing today too. They've really given the newcomers a lot of training and a lot of support. Former Red Bull Air Race pilots Steve Jones and Klaus Schrodt also spent a lot of time tutoring them. It's really paid off here. Four rookies in the top 12. Unreal.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:50
Four rookies in the final 12. That's impressive. It's never happened before. Who would have thought that a year ago when these four guys joined the world championship? Hall gets the headlines but Dolderer, Muroya and McLeod have done some pretty good work this year -- first cutting the gap to the veterans in the time sheets and now knocking them out of the race in the Wild Card.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:49
Australia's Matt Hall will be smiling at that result -- and he'll be sure to thank his two fellow rookies Muroya and McLeod for knocking Mangold, the 2005 and 2007 champion, out in the Wild Card. Hall is clinging to 3rd place in the overall championship, with 33 points to Mangold's 31. Mangold's out of it now. Ivanoff is in 5th with 28 points. In theory Ivanoff and Chambliss could still catch Hall. But Mangold's getting knocked out is definitely good news for the Aussie.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:47
So it's Muroya and McLeod advancing to the Top 12. Nice one. The race is over for Rakhmanin, Mangold and Dell.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:45
14:44 End of Wild Card
McLeod is in the Top 12!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:44
Mangold's time is 1:28.47 -- 4th place
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:43
Mangold is 3.91 behind at the midway point
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:43
Muroya, in first place, now got his ticket to the Top 12. It's either McLeod or Mangold now getting that second and final ticket.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:43
Mangold gets a 2-second penalty!
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:43
McLeod aces that quadro and has yet another penalty-free round for a time of 1:26.91, good enough for second place. It's going to be close! What's Mangold going to do here now?
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:41
We've had our eye on McLeod all week. He's got a heavy plane and under-powered engine. But he does well on challenging tracks like this with that big mean quadro. He grew up flying float planes in the rugged north of Canada. He likes this track and only wishes there were more wind to cause the others more problems.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:40
Russia's Sergey Rakhmanin also wants a ticket to the main show. His time is 1:28.35, 5.14 behind Muroya. Doesn't look good. Pete McLeod and Mike Mangold still to come. They both flew well in Qualifying on Saturday.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:38
More than 500,000 spectators here and more still coming in, the Red Bull Air Race Tower just tells us.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:36
Japan's rookie Yoshi Muroya wants to get to the Top 12 and is on a tear. No pylon hits today, no penalties. Muroya stops the clock in 1:23.21 -- 6.50 ahead of Dell. Doesn't look good for Glen. Three pilots still to come.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:35
Dell has a clean run and stops the clock in 1:29.71.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:32
The h-u-g-e crowd here in Barcelona is loving this.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:31
Dell had 3 championship points this year and would love to add to that total today in his final race.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:30
Mangold's now on the grid. He's got a slow plane but as two-times world champ he shouldn't make any mistakes. Two clean runs yesterday should give an indication of what's to come, but now all eyes on the video screen as Dell enters the track.
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 PM14:30
14:30 Start of Wild Card
Just a minute away from the Wild Card. Glen Dell up first. Let's hope this isn't his last run through the track. The fastest 2 from this group of 5 advance to the main race.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:30
Hey KarrangaUK, funny you should ask that. We did a story on that just the other day.Bonhomme weighs 92 kg and is about 10kg more than Arch, who is 82. Bonhomme is 6 cm taller at 186 cm vs 180. Here's the story: www.redbullairrace.com
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:29
This is it - the first few planes are on the grid! Dell and Muroya are off, Rakhmanin is starting up... McLeod is just leaving the hangar and his proud dad is capturing the moment on camera. They are both pilots and it's great McLeod senior is here for his son's final race
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 PM14:23
There's also quite clearly a rivalry going on among the rookies. Matthias Dolderer's strong improvement in the second of the season probably has something to do with Matt Hall's improbable success early on. Yoshi Muroya has hit more pylons than just about everyone this year and that probably has something to do with Hall and Dolderer both being in front of him in the championship standings.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:10
As far as other rivalries go, there seems to be a bit of a friendly rivalry among the Americans. But Mangold and Chambliss are nevertheless pretty close and wouldn't hesistate to lend each other a smoke pump or monkey wrench if needed. There used to be a friendly rivalry between Bonhomme and his compatriot Steve Jones. Bonhomme won most of their duels but Jones won a few and made sure everyone knew that Bonhomme was behind him.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:08
But then Bonhomme won two of the next three races, with a victory in Windsor and Porto with a second place in Budapest in between. He took the lead away from Arch in Budapest and extended it to 4 points in Porto. Arch has gone all out to catch him, putting in a new engine. It's a great, great rivalry and it's going right down to the wire.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 PM14:04
Arch backers saw that as sour grapes. Arch had by far the fastest plane early on this year. He won all 13 points in Abu Dhabi and then the Qualifying point in San Diego for a 23 out of an available 26 points.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:59
Things grew more tense shortly after that in the second 2009 race in San Diego after Arch had a bird strike in the final that damaged his plane. He managed to stay on course and finished 3rd. But Bonhomme openly questioned the wisdom of continuing through the track without know the extent of the damage to his plane. Here's a story on that: www.redbullairrace.com
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:57
The Bonhomme/Arch rivalry grew more intense at the start of this season. In the past, the teams' technicians would all help each other assembly their planes in one giant hangar at the race location. It was a great big fraternity among the technicians. Arch changed that set up and arranged for his technician to assemble his plane on his own in a quiet location. Arch said he wanted his man to be able to work in peace. It seemed to be a pretty good idea -- it certainly got others worried about what secrets Arch might be putting into his plane. Bonhomme and many others grew suspicious. They asked: What is he hiding? Here's a story on the issue at the time: www.redbullMatt Mairrace.com
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor edited by MattHallRacing at 10/4/2009 AM13:54
The tension grew late last year when Arch won the world championship and Bonhomme won the final race of the 2008 season in Perth -- his 4th win compared to 2 for Arch. They ribbed each other at the final press conference after the race in Perth. When asked who was the best pilot last year? Bonhomme said he had proven he was with the 4 wins. Arch said that was consistency was the key and Bonhomme's answer showed “he still doesn’t get it.”
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:52
The conventional wisdom used to be that it would take many years for a rookie to challenge the top pilots – it was widely assumed that a newcomer like Arch would need many years of experience and many thousands of hours flying to win the race. But Arch turned that thinking upside down. He did not have a flying background but rather in adventure sports such as mountain climbing, hang gliding and B.A.S.E. jumping. Arch also made some comments that rubbed the flying fraternity the wrong way, saying for example that the experience flying commercial jets “and drinking coffee” at 30,000 feet is of little use in the Red Bull Air Race. He had a point. But it still caused tension.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:50
Away from the race track, the atmosphere in the hangars began to change in 2008, turning colder as pilots who once would proudly show off to each their time-saving modifications to each other began hiding them. They would still wander in and out of each other’s hangars as in the past. But they weren’t quite as chummy with each other as they had been. They were all stunned and taken aback by Arch’s improbable success.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:47
But that all seemed to change last year. Bonhomme was the dominant force at the start of the 2008 season. Arch began the year hoping to get on the podium once. But he did much better than that and made it on the podium in 7 of 8 races. He took the lead away from Bonhomme late in the season. And the rivalry took off from there.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:45
Bonhomme and Arch appeared to get along famously in Arch’s rookie season in 2007, when Bonhomme was having his breakout year and Arch was eager to learn everything and anything he could. They even shared their birthday celebraties together in San Diego. There was more of a pilot fraternity kind of mentality on the tarmac in those days and the pilots, as pilots tend to do, would openly share their information with each other. Arch, who struggled as a rookie, took full advantage of that Glasnost.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:44
The rivalry between Paul Bonhomme and Hannes Arch has dominated the headlines this year. But why, you might be wondering, do these two pilots have such an apparent disdain for each other? Ostensibly there are many similarities: they’re both pilots, both have the same birthday (Sept. 22), and they both have the same goal – to win the championship. In the next few posts we’ll explore the history of their great rivalry.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:43
Watching the Spanair Airbus A320 flying about 50 metres above the Air Gates was an impressive sight for the big crowd. We got a chance to take a look at one Air Gate from the inside yesterday, the start/finish pylon just about 100 metres in front of the media centre. It was a wierd seeing the pylon from the inside. Here's the story: www.redbullairrace.com
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:41
Keeping the adrenalin at the right level is key. It's all about the stress/performance curve and these guys know they need to be hyped... but not too much. Bonhomme said he was a bit too relaxed in the track so no doubt he'll want to step it up today. He's got a while to get in the zone but it's Mangold, Dell, Muroya, Rakhmanin and McLeod who are off first in an hour.
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 AM13:29
So back at the airport we're in the final stages of preparation before the planes are pushed out to the gridstand ahead of the Wild Card round. Some of the pilots are resting in the hangar, others are walking through a mock track made up of cans of Red Bull on the hangar floor. Whatever works. They'll all be trying to get themselves in the optimum frame of mind.
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 AM13:24
There were lots of other interesting developments in Qualifying yesterday. Nicolas Ivanoff of France seemed to thrive on the challenging, turn-filled track and got 2nd while Matt Hall of Australia stayed on course to defend his 3rd place overall in the Championship with 3rd place. Further down, Canada's Pete McLeod also was "punching above his weight" while local hero Alejandro Maclean of Spain also showed promise for getting a good result today. Here's the full story: www.redbullairrace.com
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:17
Red Bull Air Race GmbH CEO Bernd Loidl said: “In a short space of time, Glen has made himself extremely popular with everyone involved in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship and he will be greatly missed."
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:10
Glen Dell said: "I was really fortunate to have been given a leave of absence for two years from South African Airways, which provided me with an incredible opportunity to compete in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. Although I will certainly miss being part of the sport, I am looking forward to returning home to South Africa.”
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:06
Some sad news today from the Red Bull Air Race Runway. South Africa's Glen Dell announces his retirement after two seasons: South African pilot, Glen Dell has announced that he will retire from the Red Bull Air Race World Championship at the end of the 2009 season. After two seasons in the sport, Dell has decided to return to his job as a pilot with South African Airways.www.redbullairrace.com
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:04
So Arch put in a clutch performance and got the 1 point for qualifying fastest. That narrowed Bonhomme's lead to 3 points. That means if Arch wins today's race, Bonhomme must finish 2nd or 3rd to win the championship. If Arch wins and Bonhomme finishes 4th or lower, Arch will win the championship.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM13:02
Edgar Davids came to the airport yesterday and was blown away with the whole thing. He said he felt inspired to finish his pilot training so you never know...
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 AM13:01
The Austrian managed to get his act together and have a good run in Q2. And that's exactly what he did. Arch hit a proverbial "home run" with the fastest time of the day to win Qualifying with an outstanding performance under enormous pressure. Bonhomme, meanwhile, had a solid Q1 run -- second behind only Nicolas Ivanoff. But then, after watching Arch blow everyone off the track with his incredible Q2 run, Bonhomme appeared to get distracted -- and hit a pylon himself. That left him back in 4th position -- behind Arch, Matt Hall and Ivanoff. Ouch! How quickly everything changed.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM12:59
In case anyone missed the action here yesterday, it was another thrilling duel between championship leader Paul Bonhomme and defending champion Hannes Arch. Bonhomme had a 4-point lead coming into the season finale and fate seemed to be finally going his way on Saturday. Arch was having a nightmare weekend with all sorts of complicated engine issues and then, appearing distracted by all that, hit a pylon in Qualifying 1. He was back in 13th place and in danger of failing to qualify for the main race today unless.....
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM12:57
Bon dia from Barcelona. It's another dazzling day here in Spain. It's 23 degrees and a bit warmer than at this time yesterday. Blue skies and only a very gentle breeze from the west today. The beaches are filling up with what will probably the biggest crowd we've seen all year. The pre-race show starts in about 5 minutes and the Wild Card about 90 minutes later at 2:30 p.m.
by Erik Kay - Live Ticker Editor at 10/4/2009 AM12:54
Bonhomme's team coordinator Nigel Warren says Paul has been studying the track and training videos thoroughly all week. Paul is playing it cool however, he's had his fingers burned too many times with 'almosts' but this time his chances are good. He needs a third place finish to beat Hannes if the Austrian wins here in Barcelona but I'm not saying a word...
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 AM12:23
Morning from the Red Bull Air Race Airport in Barcelona where the atmosphere is electric! Defending world champion Hannes Arch has his hangar facing that of Britain's Paul Bonhomme - they both say the psychological battle for first isn't getting to them. We'll see about that later - both had pylon hits yesterday and Bonhomme finished unexpectedly outside the top 3 so there are no guarantees in this game
by CorriganKirsten at 10/4/2009 AM12:17
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