Red Bull Air Race heading to Detroit, San Diego
By AOPA ePublishing staff
If you’ve been wanting to see the Red Bull Air Race World Series, you have two U.S. locations to choose from in May and June.
Look for a dozen of the world’s best aerobatic pilots to tumble over the bay in San Diego on May 3 and 4 and along the Detroit River in Detroit on May 31 and June 1. Last year San Diego drew more than 50,000 spectators, not nearly as many as foreign races, but enough to help Red Bull build its reputation.
The series officially got under way on April 10 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the traditional location for the season opener. British aerobatic ace Paul Bonhomme won the race in his Edge 540.
Ten cities in nine countries make up the 2008 schedule, with Sweden playing host for the first time. The finale is in Perth, Australia, in November.
During the race pilots hit speeds of 250 mph and endure up to 10 Gs as they negotiate a series of inflatable pylons. Sometimes they even fly under bridges in a timed aerobatic ballet.
Each race will be broadcast by the Fox Sports Network on Sunday evenings.
April 15, 2008
