BARCELONA, 3 May 2006 — After the first and launching round has taken off under the skies of Abu Dhabi, the second leg of the 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series flies into Barcelona, Spain on Saturday. Eleven of the world’s best pilots will race through a unique obstacle course in the sky, at speeds reaching more than 400 kph, as they battle it out in a bid to be crowned world champion.
This is the first time an Air Race has set foot on Spanish soil and it’s the perfect place to host the competition. Bogatell beach, situated close to the Port Olympic Marina will be the venue of the event, with the action taking place over the sparkling Mediterranean. A specially created racetrack will be positioned on the sea yet still close enough to the waters edge to allow spectators unprecedented views from the shore.
Skill, stamina and precision are crucial in the Red Bull Air Race. Pilots fly close to the ground, at high speeds on an extremely tight course, while negotiating 19-m high obstacles known as ‘Air Gates.’ It’s a tough race that exerts the highest demands on flying ability and human endurance not least because both pilot and plane are constantly subjected to acceleration forces, which can reach up to 10G. Only the most skilled and experienced pilots in the world are eligible to take part. There is no room for error because any mistakes incur penalty points, which are then added to the pilot’s time. With eight races still left, they are each striving to gain vital ranking points for a chance to win the Series.
American Kirby Chambliss is currently leading, having won the first race of the season last month in Abu Dhabi. He is followed by fellow American Mike Mangold, the 2005 Red Bull Air Race World Series Champion, and Peter Besenyei from Hungary. There is likely to be some fierce competition in Barcelona from Spaniard Alejandro Maclean, who was third in both the first and second rounds in Abu Dhabi, achieving an overall 4th place position after gaining penalty points. Now that the race is taking place in his native country, with a local crowd cheering him on, he may have the home advantage. One thing is for certain; the competition is set to heat up under the Spanish skies.
Red Bull Air Race World Series 2006 Results - Race 1, Abu Dhabi, March 18: Kirby Chambliss USA 3:33,37; Mike Mangold USA 3:37,94; Peter Besenyei HUN 3:41,72; Alejandro Maclean ESP 3:42,25; Nicolas Ivanoff FRA 3:49,11; Michael Goulian USA 3:49:62; Paul Bonhomme GBR 3:49:85; Steve Jones GBR 3:51:74; Nigel Lamb GBR 3:56:42; Frank Versteegh NDL 4:15:61; Klaus Schrodt GER disqualified.
Race Calendar 2006 -- Abu Dhabi (UAE) March 18 (over),
Barcelona (Spain) May 6, Berlin (Germany) May 27, St. Petersburg (Russia) June 17, Istanbul (Turkey) July 29, Budapest (Hungary) Aug. 20, Longleat (UK) Sept. 2, San Francisco (USA) Oct. 7, Perth (Australia) Nov. 19.
