The Red Bull Air Race makes a much anticipated touch down in Monument Valley, Utah on the 11 and 12 May, for the third race of the season and the first U.S stop of the year. The dramatic scenery of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park will provide a breathtaking backdrop for the race which involves the world’s best pilots navigating an aerial course at low altitude, flying at speeds of up to 400 kph and battling forces that can reach 10G.
Racing for the first time over land, instead of sea, the pilots will have to cope with different flying conditions than usual. The air in Monument Valley is less dense due to high altitude and high temperatures which has an impact on the performance of the aircraft. High density altitude, as this is called, causes less lift production on the wing than at lower altitudes. This means the planes have to fly faster in order to achieve the same lift. It will present an extra challenge for the pilots who so far in the series have been used to flying at sea level.
After a nail-biting final in Rio de Janeiro which saw Britain’s Paul Bonhomme beat Spaniard Alejandro Maclean in the final, Bonhomme is currently leading the World Series with 10 points, followed closely by Mangold and then Hungary’s Peter Besenyei. One million spectators turned out to watch the race in Rio, which took place in Botafogo Bay, making it the biggest sport event in Brazilian history.
Dr. Joe Shirley Jr., President of the Navajo Nation, is thrilled to be hosting the Red Bull Air Race in Monument Valley. “We are pleased to welcome our guests and eager to see the world’s most talented pilots compete in the dynamic new discipline of air racing. It will be spectacular against the backdrop of Monument Valley’s towering sandstone spires and brilliant blue skies”, he said.
On another hand, the Red Bull Air Race GmbH regrets to announce that the race in Barcelona, scheduled for 23rd June has been cancelled, due to technical and security conditions. Last year's race in Barcelona attracted over one million spectators, making it one of the best stops of the series.
