August 19-20, 2007
Budapest will be the setting for the seventh leg of the Red Bull Air Race World Series on 19 and 20 August, returning to the Hungarian capital for the fourth time. The world’s best pilots will navigate a hair-raising slalom course just meters above the River Danube, racing at speeds reaching nearly 250 miles per hour (400 km/h), coping with forces of up to 10G, and flying underneath the city’s famous Chain Bridge.
Last year, over one million spectators crowded the banks of the Danube during the holiday weekend to watch the race. The Chain Bridge will again mark the start and finish of the track, and
the action will take place right in front of the Parliament building, with thirteen pilots competing in a series of knockout rounds.
At the last race in London, American
Mike Mangold scored his second win of the season, but it’s
Peter Besenyei, a hero in his native Hungary, who’ll be the hot favorite with local crowds in Budapest. Besenyei is currently third place in the World Series standings with 24 points, behind Mangold with 30 points and Britain’s
Paul Bonhomme with 31 points.
After Budapest, the Air Race heads to Porto, Portugal on the 31 August and 1 September, followed by two more competitions in the USA and Australia. Last year, a total of some six million spectators turned out for the eight races held worldwide.
What is a Red Bull Air Race
A 2004 Newstream article on
Everything Science gives us the following overview of the Red Bull Air Race:
The Red Bull Air Race was created and developed by the Hungarian World Aerobatics Champion Peter Besenyei. Actually, air racing has its roots in the USA. Air races have been held there since 1909. However, the usual type of air race in the USA is about one thing and one thing only: speed. The pilots fly a certain distance and then turn around. Generally the pilot with the fastest plane is the winner. To Peter Besenyei it was obvious: air racing needed an aerobatic, artistic element. So he invented the obstacles through which the pilots have to fly. And he decided that certain aerobatics figures had to be displayed between the obstacles. The result: in the Red Bull Air Race the winner is the fastest pilot who is also the best at aerobatics and has the strongest nerves.
Where and when in Budapest
Spectators can position themselves on either side of the Danube, across the Parliament building, between the Chain Bridge (Lanchid) and Margaret Bridge (Margit hid), where the racecourse is set up. These areas are open to the public on both August 19 and 20. There is no entry fee. Portable restrooms, food vendors, and first aid teams will be available to serve the comfort and security of the spectators.
Sunday, August 19 – Qualification day
16:00-19:00 Red Bull Air Race – qualifying rounds
19:30-23:00 Hubert Von Goisern and Besh o droM live concert on Batthyany Square
Monday, August 20 – Race day
10:00–12:15 Water Parade on the Danube
12:15 Red Bull Air Race – Opening
12:30–14:00 Hungarian and International Flight Programs
14:00–17:00 Red Bull Air Race – the race itself
17:00–17:30 Announcement of results, and Award Ceremony
21:00–21:30 Fireworks
Source and
Air Race Audio Player:
Red Bull Air Race Home
Links
Kecskemet 2007 Airshow Photo Gallery
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Image source:
gpticketshop.com
