"The sixth stop of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship takes place next week and with the competition tightening at the top, this race promises to be one of the most exciting yet.An unpredictable and thrilling race in London at the beginning of this month saw hot favourite Paul Bonhomme stumble spectacularly at home and miss out on a podium position throwing the competition wide open again. The quest to be the fastest resulted in an unprecedented number of penalties and pylon hits on a course made treacherous by windy, rainy conditions. With Bonhomme’s lead at the top melting and American Kirby Chambliss and Austrian Hannes Arch hot on his heels, both just two points behind, it has proved that anything can happen and the stakes have been raised for Budapest.
Competing on home turf may have rattled the nerves of the British pilots, none of whom managed a top place in London but Peter Besenyei is hoping for success at home to improve on his 5th place position. Unfortunately the Hungarian hero did not do so well in the previous races in Budapest hitting a pylon last year which wrecked his chances of being on the podium. But having recently switched back to his Edge 540 and with a consistent performance all season, he remains confident, “Hopefully I’ll be lucky in Budapest this year,” said Besenyei. “I’m really looking forward to racing in front of a home crowd and it’s great to have their support.”
Last year half a million spectators descended on Budapest to watch the world’s best pilots race through the challenging track just metres above the water and as in previous years the race is free for spectators. Qualifying takes place on Tuesday 19th August and Race Day on Wednesday 20th August. As part of the national holiday celebrations, the race will be followed by a firework display in the evening."
Source: redbullairrace.com
18.08.2008