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Red Bull Air Race 2010 World Championship in Abu Dhabi

Fans await the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship in excitement. Once again, champions Paul Bonhomme and Hannes Arch will battle it out in the picturesque blue skies of Abu Dhabi.

The 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship opens in Abu Dhabi on 26/27 March, returning to the United Arab Emirates capital for the sixth time.

The world’s top 15 pilots will start a six-month long battle for championship points in the first of eight races on a total of five continents. It is expected that the fiery duel between defending champion Paul Bonhomme of Britain and Austria’s Hannes Arch, the 2008 champion, will bring a lot of excitement to the competition.

Hannes Arch, who won the 2009 race in Abu Dhabi but finished second overall to Paul Bonhomme, has worked hard on improving his aircraft during the off-season and will be looking to get back in front of his British rival.

“Abu Dhabi is one of the most challenging races on the calendar because you don’t know what the other guys have been doing over the winter,” said Hannes Arch. “Your team doesn’t have a race rhythm yet and no one’s quite sure how strong their planes are relative to the others. I’m looking forward to the race. I’m the hunter now rather than being hunted.”

Abu Dhabi is one of the most challenging tracks because the warm temperatures and famous winds can change direction abruptly during the course of the day.

“We’re delighted to be back in Abu Dhabi to kick off the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship,” said Bernd Loidl, CEO of Red Bull Air Race. “We’re looking forward to another exciting race.”

Spectators will also have the opportunity to meet the pilots and see their planes up close and personal during the Public Pit Lane Walk on Qualifying Day.

“We hope fans will take advantage of the chance to meet the pilots and see their incredible planes up close,” Loidl said.

Qualifying takes place on 26 March followed by Race Day on Saturday 27 March.

In 2009, more than 3.5 million spectators followed the action at 6 races and it was watched by 270 million people on television networks around the world.  Only the best is to be expected for the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

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