Red Bull Air Race Demo in Dammam brings Air Racing to Saudi Arabia for the first time
Spectators in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province are getting a long-awaited first taste of the Red Bull Air Race this weekend, with a special demo of the high-speed, low-altitude aerial sport as part of the opening weekend of Sharqiah Season. Over 20,000 spectators are expected as the demos continue at Dammam’s Al-Plaza Beach through Saturday, providing an exciting preview of what’s to come when Saudi Arabia hosts the season finale of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship this November.
Dammam, Saudi Arabia – Organized in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority the Red Bull Air Race Demo in Dammam on 21-23 March introduces all the key features of the three-dimensional motorsport. Two pilots from the sport’s feeder series, the Challenger Cup, soar through the Air Gates of a custom racetrack in Edge 540 raceplanes, with commentators calling out the action for spectators.
“We are quite impressed with the location, and working with the local organizers and officials has been very easy,” said Red Bull Air Race Head Judge and Challenger Class Race Director Sergio Pla after the first demos thrilled crowds on Thursday and Friday.“The track has been tailor made for this setting, and we can show a little bit of everything we do in an actual race: We have Vertical Turning Manoeuvres, we have our chicane, and the pilots have to find the fastest line. So it’s great, and we’re looking forward to finishing this weekend with a really nice taste of this motorsport for the Saudi people.”
The Red Bull Air Race has been taking off around the globe since 2003, and since 2005 has been the official World Championship accredited by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Pilots fly against the clock in single-seat raceplanes, reaching speeds of 370 km/h and up to 12G as they navigate racetracks of 25-metre-high, air-filled pylons that burst if grazed by a wing. The 2019 calendar has eight stops, and none is more highly anticipated than the season finale in Saudi Arabia – where the excitement of the sport’s debut will be doubled as the World Champion is crowned. “We are looking at a very, very competitive season, so I’m sure the World Championship will be decided in that last race,” Pla shares.
Baptiste Vignes of France is one of the two pilots flying demos in Dammam this weekend. “It’s a huge opportunity to be one of the first pilots to show Saudi Arabia that we are able to provide a safe and professional race operation,” says the Frenchman, who in addition to earning four Challenger Class podiums so far is also a World, European and National Aerobatic Champion. “I think these demos give spectators a very good idea of the sport. The track is right in front of them, and they can see everything – including if we make a mistake that loses the heat!”
Daniel Ryfa, the other pilot flying in the demos, is just as keen. “The track is very speedy, and as a race pilot, you always want to go for it. So for me, definitely, each ‘demo’ is a race,” states the Swede, who is one of the most successful Challenger Class pilots, with 18 podiums including seven wins. “I’m super-happy to be here, and the people watching seem quite excited – it’s a big new thing.”
Another member of the Challenger Class, Patrick Strasser, is piloting high-G flights to give media representatives a feel for the cockpit experience. Also a skilled aerobatics instructor and air-ambulance pilot at home in Austria, he comments, “I’m very honored to be participating here. The spectators can see how the sport works, how the pilots are reacting and what they can do with the planes – and they will probably see some penalties like pylon hits, so it’s very spectacular.”
Be among the first to see Red Bull Air Race pilots in action in Saudi Arabia as the demos continue at Al-Plaza Beach on Dammam’s northern waterfront through Saturday, 23 March 2019.
