NEWS

25.09.2008 THE NEXT GENERATION

Qualification Camp gets underway to find future Red Bull Air Race pilots

Six of the top pilots from around the world are being put through their paces this week as they try to qualify for a chance to compete in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. The Red Bull Air Race Qualification Camp is currently underway in Casarrubios, Spain where pilots from France, Canada, Finland, Australia, Germany and Japan, have the opportunity to prove their ability to cope with the high demands of being a Red Bull Air Race pilot.

To compete in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, pilots must first satisfy the basic requirements which include high achievements in international flying competitions such as the aerobatic European Championships, the aerobatic World Championships and aerobatic World Grand Prix competitions. They must also be actively performing low-level aerobatics in air shows. Based upon their experience, achievements and application form, prospective pilots are then invited to take part in the Qualification Camp. An intensive week which includes training, briefings, flying the track, coaching, interviews and advice from current Red Bull Air Race pilots will culminate in a decision as to whether any of them have earned the ‘Super Licence’, which is basically a ‘licence to fly’ in a Red Bull Air Race. This, however, is no guarantee that they will participate in next year’s World Championship – the 2009 pilot line-up will be announced at a later date.

This week the six pilots at the Qualification Camp will be trying to prove to the judges that they not only have “the right stuff” in the air – the skill and speed to handle the low level aerial track and negotiate the Air Gates – but that they can also deal with the demands of being a full time Red Bull Air Race pilot, competing in the global championship.

The pilots already have a deep knowledge of the race with many expressing admiration for Hungary’s Peter Besenyei, the ‘godfather’ of the Red Bull Air Race. But as would-be rookies themselves most say they are quietly fans of Austria’s Hannes Arch, who in only his second season has shot up through the ranks to the top of the standings.

“Being selected to participate in the camp is already an achievement,” said Francois Le Vot, a French former fighter pilot with experience in the Mirage 2000 and Alpha jet. “The training will show me if I’m able to fly on a low level race track in real conditions, if I’m able to take the physical strain and these new sensations of speed and ground proximity.”

Le Vot said he once considered moving into commercial aviation after his military career until he discovered a new calling - the Red Bull Air Race. “It’s the greatest opportunity to discover new things, from a new way of flying to learning new things around the entire world.”

Pete McLeod of Canada went for his first flight with his father at the age of six weeks and had his pilot’s license at age 16 - even before he had a driver’s license. The professional aerobatics pilot said he felt he was born for the Red Bull Air Race.

“The first time I saw a video of the race I knew that without a doubt the Red Bull Air Race was something I wanted to compete in,” McLeod said of his first glimpse of the race. “While I enjoy flying freestyle aerobatics displays, the air shows lack the competitive aspect. The Red Bull Air Race has that spirit. I want to measure myself against the top pilots in the world.”

Sami Kontio of Finland said it was only natural that his country’s passion for motorsports is spilling over into the Red Bull Air Race. It is only a question of time before the country that produced Formula One champions Kimi Raikkonen and Mika Hakkinen will have a Red Bull Air Race World Champion as well.
“The famous Finnish competitiveness is known in motor sports all over the world,” said Kontio. “We have so many world champions in Formula One, road racing, rally and Formula One boats that now is the time to get a Finn into the Red Bull Air Race – it’s the only flying motorsport in the world.”
Kontio showed that competitive spirit after seeing a film clip of a race. He immediately contacted Red Bull Air Race and told them he wanted to be part of it. The rest is history – or could be if he wins a spot in the field next year. “This is the future of motorsports,” he said.

Matt Hall of Australia is hoping that his 23 years of flying experience – everything from hang gliders to jet fighters – will give him an edge in the Qualification Camp despite the jet lag and long journey from Down Under.
“I think it’s every pilots dream to fly low and fast, around and between objects,” he said. “When I first saw the race I thought it was just fantastic. When it came to Perth in 2006 I decided to just ‘go for it’. And here I am.”
Hall is a fighter pilot and top gun instructor. He said even though the Red Bull Air Race goes to Australia each year, it would be good to bring Australia to every race. Hall said he has a unique advantage: “I’d bring another continent and ‘the Australian culture’ to the championship,” he said.

Matthias Dolderer of Germany has been closely following the Red Bull Air Race since 2002 and is hoping to step into the shoes of Germany’s Red Bull Air Race pioneer Klaus Schrodt, who retired after the 2007 season. “I truly believe this is the future of motorsports,” he said. “I’ve been preparing to become a race pilot for a long time and I feel the time is ripe.”
Dolderer said the combination of skilful and precision flying under race conditions in an international environment against a field of top pilots from around the world is what captivates him. “I’d be proud to fill the gap left in Germany when Klaus Schrodt retired and would try to bring a fresh and dynamic spirit to the race.”

Yoshihide Muroya of Japan is hoping to represent more than just his country – he would like to awaken interest in the race across Asia. Muroya has been following the Red Bull Air Race since 2004 and has been intrigued from the first moment he saw it. Muroya has 10 years of aerobatic experience. He said he was looking forward to the chance to train the low-level precision flying at the Qualification Camp.
“For aerobatic pilots the Red Bull Air Race is the ultimate in flying,” he said. “I’m looking forward to learning the whole system of the race, getting used to flying at low altitude between the Air Gates and to develop confidence in the race track.”
When asked what he could bring to the race that no one else could, Muroya quickly replied: “Asian pilot participation would make it a truly international championship.”