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Last Updated:
Apr 29th, 2008 - 11:46:18 |
Red Bull Air Race
Gives You Wings
Detroit, true to its Motor City moniker, is a town obsessed with speed and hungry for horsepower. The automotive capital of the world is home to signature events like the North American International Auto Show and the Woodward Dream Cruise, as well as high-profile races like the newly-revived Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and the American Power Boat Racing Association (APBA) Gold Cup race. Motown was also voted the number one sports city in America by Sporting News in 2007 because of its hard-working teams and the die-hard fans who support them, tirelessly rooting for the Red Wings, Pistons, Tigers and, yes, even the Lions. On May 31 and June 1, Detroit will host the Red Bull Air Race World Series — an event that fits perfectly with its love of high-performance machines and fierce competitiveness.
While Detroit’s rich automotive heritage is well-known worldwide, the city is also home to several significant milestones in aviation history. Charles Lindbergh, the first pilot to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, was a native Detroiter, and the Motor City was also the central location for the mass production of B-24 bombers during World War II. This, combined with Detroit’s prime location on an international waterway, make it an ideal choice for the Midwest debut of the Red Bull Air Race World Series.
Since 2005, the Air Race has treated spectators in cities worldwide to the thrill of its unique combination of daredevil stunt show and high-speed motor sport. Pilots will take off from Coleman A. Young International Airport and make their way to the Detroit River, where they will accelerate to breakneck speeds of over 250 miles per hour and withstand forces of up to 10 Gs while flying as low as just 10 feet above the water to pass through specially-designed, 65-foot-high, inflatable pylons known as Air Gates. With its demanding, obstacle course design, the Red Bull Air Race is a test of speed, skill and precision fit for only elite pilots. A total of 12 competitors from around the world qualified to compete in this year’s ten-stop tour, which kicked off on April 11 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and wraps up in Perth, Australia in November. Detroit is the third race in this year’s series, following San Diego — the only other American city on the circuit.
This year, off-season preparation for the Air Race World Series reached new heights, as competitors sought after anything that could give them an edge over their opponents in this innovative, burgeoning new sport. Defending champion Mike Mangold (USA) made some modifications to his plane, hoping it would aid his quest for back-to-back titles. “We had the fastest plane in 2007 and we’ve been working on the modifications,” Mangold said. “All our modifications adhere to strict rules, but no one can really tell if it will pay off.” Austrian pilot Hannes Arch made improving his physical fitness a priority during the off-season, training with his coach to shed over 15 kilos (30 pounds). “It’s really easy to explain,” said Arch. “Fifteen kilos less means there’s 150 kilos less pressure on my body during the high Gs.”
A unique quality of the Series is that race conditions vary based on the location, so no two cities feel quite the same. Some races are held in the heart of the city, some in the countryside or desert and others over bodies of water. The Detroit race, being held on the international waters of the Detroit River, marks the first time the event has taken place in two countries simultaneously. Areas for spectators on both the American and Canadian sides of the river, make this a truly international event. Like River Days, the Air Race is a great opportunity to enjoy the revitalized riverfront. | RDW
That's fly: redbullairrace.com
Red Bull Air Race • 5/31-6/1Detroit Riverfront
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