23 International media delegation start arriving today to the UAE capital for a 4 day-visit, during which they will witness closely the preparations of the Red Bull Air Race World series launching round, taking place on Friday 17th of March 2006. All of the 11 pilots already landed in Abu Dhabi yesterday (Monday) with full hands on the technical set-up of their airplanes, teams briefing and trainings.
On the other hand, the national media – press, radio and TV stations – are meeting the Air race competitors during tomorrow’s press gathering at Mina Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi Corniche at 12:30pm. Reporters and journalists will join the Paddock Walk, where 11 airplanes of different types, colors and specifications, will be lined-up, waiting to soar down Abu Dhabi Corniche on Friday.
For the second year running, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nhayan and with the support of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Abu Dhabi’s famous ‘Corniche’ will be transformed into a unique race track complete with it’s own seven hangars runway to accommodate all the planes. Last year 200,000 people turned up to witness the action, a record number of spectators in the history of events there. Due to increasing popularity, this year’s crowd is expected to be even bigger.
The 2006 Air Race World Series takes off on 17th March under the Middle Eastern skies, in the spectacular setting of Abu Dhabi. Eleven world class pilots will be battling it out to decide who is the fastest and most skillful of them all. The Series consists of nine races that will take place between March and November around the world in countries including; Spain, England, USA, Australia, Germany and Turkey.
The Air Race is a new aviation competition that requires pilots to execute complex precision-perfect manoeuvres through an obstacle course in the sky in the fastest possible time. It’s an extremely tough race that exerts the highest possible demands on flying skills and human endurance. Pilots fly close to the ground on an extremely tight course and are constantly subjected to acceleration forces which can reach up to 10G. There is no margin for error. Only the best of the best can take part and these guys are at the top of their game.
American Mike Mangold was crowned the 2005 Air Race World Series Champion flying through the championship with a near perfect performance, winning a total of five out of the seven races. This year he faces some serious competition from his fellow pilots like Hungarian Peter Besenyei, American Kirby Chambliss or German Klaus Schrodt, who are all determined to steal the trophy from under his wing. They have a tough challenge ahead and Abu Dhabi is just the beginning. In the end it will be precision and skill that determines the next Air Race world champion.
Safety First
If you combine the finest aerobatic pilots on earth, a ticking stopwatch, speeds reaching 400kph and one of the most daring slalom races ever designed, the Red Bull Air Race would appear to be one of the world’s most dangerous sports. But despite the inherent dangers that pervade the Air Races, uncompromising safety measures are put in place. In fact, not a single accident has occurred since the sport’s inception.
When the World Series of Air Racing kicks off in Abu Dhabi on March 17th under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Tourism, the race will be over the water’s surface with thousands of spectators on hand to witness the event.
And for every World Series race on each continent, a comprehensive safety and emergency system has been implemented.
In Abu Dhabi, a boat with doctor and lifesaving equipment will be at the ready if an accident occurs. This will be in addition to three divers and a minimum of eight lifeguards that are supported by a local emergency crew. On land, the ambulance team combines a highly trained staff of 15 people who are on-call with two state-of-the art ambulances, one of which remains on 24-hour stand-by. To support the ambulance crew, the camera helicopter can be immediately deployed for transportation in the event of a serious accident.
At least 18 firemen, two fire trucks and a special fireboat are also present for the Abu Dhabi round, during the set up and race itself. Finally, approximately 15 policemen and a security force numbering around 50 provide the extra layer of support to ensure smooth flow of the Race.
Still, if any serious accident occurs, rescue workers intervene in a matter of seconds with a highly coordinated safety and crisis plan. Every rescue worker knows their role and when and where it has to be executed. The emergency plan is so thorough that helpers know the facilities at all surrounding hospitals.
As for the obstacle course itself, the Air Gates (race pylons) are examples of exceptional design ingenuity and development. Created by Bellutti Protection Systems, the pylons can withstand 54kmh winds due to a cone-shaped design – five meters wide at the base, 75cm at their tip.
Standing 19m high, each inflatable Air Gate is made of a lightweight, easily torn spinnaker material that rips apart the moment it’s touched by an aircraft wing or propeller. It then simply collapses. Even spinnaker shreds caught on a plane’s wings are further destroyed into harmless bits, by razor sharp blades specially mounted beneath the plane’s wing.
In addition, designer Martin Jehart and his team are doing further tests to strengthen the pylons against stronger winds and thus allow for new and riskier types of obstacles to be added to the Air Race. Still, nothing will be compromised to achieve this.
However, despite the comprehensive plan that is set in place, the most important safety measurement for these races are the pilots themselves. Although they bring professionalism, experience and a recognition that success comes from calculated risk-taking and intelligent play, they are still required to undergo a rigorous selection criteria to enter the race. These are the most elite aerobatic pilots in the world, but at the Red Bull Air Race World Series, safety is the responsibility of everyone.
