The Red Bull Air Race

As you may know, I love planes. And I also love motor racing. So what could be better than an aeroplane race?

Not much, in my book!

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship is a series of races the take place at venues around the world. The concept is pretty simple. Flying against the clock, the pilots navigate a slalom course between giant inflatable cones called Air Gates, making a pre-defined series of turns and rolls along the way.

At each race, a number of knockout rounds take place against the clock, with the race winner being the fastest of the Final Four. The pilot that accumulates the most points over the season is declared the World Champion.

I’d been wanting to see a Red Bull Air Race for years. Ever since I first saw one on TV, in fact. And I finally got the chance when the series visited Detroit in 2010.

It was amazing to watch these incredibly-skilled pilots throwing their aircraft all over the sky above the Detroit River. I kept thinking, There’s no way they’re going to make it, as they converged on an Air Gate, upside-down, travelling at a ridiculous speed. But they always did, of course.

Even as a spectator, the whole event was absolutely breathtaking. I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like for the pilots!

The bottom line is, if you love airplanes like me, and you get a chance, don’t pass up an opportunity to attend a Red Bull Air Race. I guarantee you’ll be blown away!

This post was inspired by the themes Converge from Ben (of The Daily Post) and Above from Ailsa (of Where’s My Backpack?).

While you’re imagining barrelling through the sky at the controls of a Red Bull Air Race plane, why not sign up and follow my continuing Journeys here at Jaspa’s Journal (on WordPress or Bloglovin’), or through my website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr?

And if that’s not enough for you, there are now three Jaspa’s Journey novels to enjoy as ebooks! Perfect for Kids 8 – 80!