Red Bull Air Race

Name: Fahad Sultan Alsuwaidi

Teacher: Dr. Hedley Butterfield

Course: LSS 3003 Sports, Leisure and Society
Section: CJD

Date: 10-Dec-14

Red Bull Air Race

This world event was developed by Red Bull in 2001. The point of this event is not only to show the pilot’s ability at his best speed but also the precision and skills. It has become known as the fastest exhilarating in the world. Also, a new kind of sport to be introduced to the world. The first official race for this event was in 2003 in Zeltweg, Austria. The second race was in the same year in Budapest, Hungary. Three years later the series expanded to become Red Bull Air Race World Series. Ten pilots seven races across UK, USA and Europe. Mike Mangold, US Air Force fighter pilot. He was crowned the champion in that season, and he won five of the seven races. The first accident was in 2010, Addison Kindlemann,Brazilian pilot, he crashed his plane during training into the Swan River in Perth, Australia. Addison Kindlemann was rescued within seconds, he had no serious injury. It was the first and the last crash in Red Bull Air Race history.

2011,2012 and 2013 Red Bull Air Race World Champion series cancelled, Red Bull took the decision to restructure a new safety measures. After three years, Red Bull Air Race returns better than ever. They made much differences, there are new technical and a lot of safety improvements. New material and height changes for the Air gates, and newly tightened rules. In this season, eight races staged in seven countries around the world.

Red Bull Air Race format in earlier seasons 2005 and 2006, was all about the time. The fastest pilot is the winner. Then it was modified for 2008 season.  Such as, flying sessions that include the training, qualifying round, Top12, Super 8 and the final 4. Training an Qualifying placed before the Race Day. Pilots must take at least two training sessions, Best time counts in the two mandatory qualifying sessions, the fastest pilot in Qualifying, is awarded one point for the World Champion. Top 12 take place on Race Day, the fastest six pilots from each heat, and the slowest two will compete for a place in Super 8, this will determine 9th to 12th place race positions. In Super 8, the fastest four pilots advance to the Final 4. Results in Super 8 will determine the 5th to 8th place race positions. Final 4 will determine the first four place race positions.

Starting Order in the flying session’s order is based on; The highest ranking of the previous race will start the order. New pilots or members will determine by draw to begin with, Until the fourth training session. Whoever the slowest pilot will starts first. Red Bull Air Race have its rules as well, such as the pilots are required to complete the specified 5-6 km track between the Air Gates. There is penalty seconds, which will be added to the pilot time, if he passes the Air Gate in incorrect way. Each gate has a specific way of crossing, there are three types of gates. Gates with double cone must be crossed in level flight, pilots must cross single cone gates in 90° angle, slalom flying technique through the chicane gates.Penalties of the rules are as follows.

Disqualification

-Uncontrolled flight or movements.

-flying close to the ground or into the clouds.

-crossing safety line or Air Gates below 15 meters.

Did Not Finish

-Exceeding 370 km/h when crossing the Start Gate.

-Plane weight different after the race, below 698 kilograms.

-Hitting an Air Gate for the 3rd time.

1 second penalty

-No smoke.

2 second penalty

-Hitting an Air gate for the first time.

-Hitting an Air gate for the second time.

-Incorrect angle crossing through the gates or incorrect flying level.

Red Bull Air Race has attracted a lot of people all over the world even here in UAE.  Abu Dhabi is always the first place to began with from 2006-2014. In 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series season. It was the fourth Red Bull Air Race season. The American Pilot, Kirby Chambliss, won the first Race in Abu Dhabi. It was 6km over the water in front of the Corniche Road. 

 Red Bull race planes designed to be very light like carbon fibre to ensure maximum speed, and to be as agile in the air as possible. Also, it has to be extremely strong so it can hold out up to ten times the force of gravity. Before 2014 teams we allowed to modify their planes, but now there are new rules. The engine and propellers must be standardised for all teams.

There are three types of the race planes.

 Zivko Edge 540 

Made in USA, the first built was in mid-1990s.

MXS-R

Which was also made in USA, that can handle max number of G-force.

Corvus Racer 540 

Designed by Andras voloscsuk in 2007, the newest and the fastest plane.

Safety

All race planes use 7-point seat belts system for quick release in case of emergency. All pilots wear special G-Race suits, visor helmets, flying gloves and parachutes. In racetracks over the pilot should wear a water survival vest, which can be activated to inflated in emergency. All planes are equipped with spare air and oxygen mask. Also, there is oxygen bottle the pilot can use it in the water crash. Speed boats with high trained rescue divers are every were and also a helicopter.

The racetrack of Red Bull Air Race specially designed for high speeds and low altitude over the water. Pilots often have to battle the nature, extreme heat, and winds shifting. Racetracks are measure approximately 5-6km, and they are marked with Air Gates. Air Gates were first developed in 2002, Air Gates are two cones used particular material filled with air. The length of each Air Gate is 25 meters high, and the space between the two gates is 10 to 15 meters depending on the gate.

Red Bull Air Race World Champion 2015 season will start in Abu Dhabi 13-14 February, it became a traditional opening season for Red Bull Air race, Then to Japan, Russia, Hungary. The second half of season will begins on 15-16 August in Ascot, UK. then to Austria, and at last US.