Red Bull Air Race - Abu Dhabi 2016
Returning for the ninth year as the season opening round in 2016, Abu Dhabi takes its Red Bull Air Race hosting to new heights. The competition this year is the hottest in history with a fresh crop of new talent and seasoned racers hungry for the win! Qualifying on Friday 11 and Race Day Saturday 12 March! Be with us for the season start!
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He's now got one chance and he'll have to be careful and considered... we might see a more reserved performance from the Czech pilot -
Sonka kicks hard through the Start Gate and he's got a first green split, but he's losing time as he flies through Gate 3, 4, 5, 6... he pushes hard for the Finish Gate and picks up +2s along the way at Gate 12
Sonka 1:01.503 -
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Dolderer, Goulian and Muroya in the top 3, Arch, Hall, Kopfstein and Podlunsek still to fly
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I'm really happy... we went out and executed just like we wanted to... We're just doing one flight at a time and one race at a time.
- Mike Goulian -
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It's back! Are you geared up for the @Redbullairrace ? - bit.ly/1Ki6NZT 💪🏻 ✈️ http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdRNjNsWIAAldDw.jpg
by Red Bull Shop via twitter retweeted by Redbullairrace 3/11/2016 1:02:29 PM -
Hannes Arch up next. He took fastest in the last flying session in Free Practice 1, and as a regular on the Abu Dhabi podium he's one of the biggest threats for the race win this weekend.
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Arch pushes hard through the first vertical turn and he's just 0.25s off Dolderer's pace. Arch pushing hard and it's clean and penalty free... a good solid performance on his first run with 59.764 and that gives him a good foundation to go more aggressive in Run 2.
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He needs to scrub off 1.5s to take Dolderer's first place
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Arch through the Start Gate cleanly and he's clearly flying more on the edge with a more aggressive but clean performance. He seems to be running a little off the pace still and despite his confidence in the track, he's told to knock it off with an over-G. Clear frustration from Arch as he returns to the airport but he's got a time and he's looking competitive.
Arch 59.764 -
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FP3 fastest pilot Matt Hall into the track...
He's pushing hard and fast in the first split with a 0.120s advantage, but the times are back into the red as he holds back and eases off, losing 0.462s as he approaches the Finish Gate.
That's solid and consistent, a cool Hall delivering in Run 1 with 58.730 -
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And he's 0.350S faster than Dolderer in the first split!
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The splits remain green and Hall is showcasing his superior skill and talent out in the racetrack
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He's scrubbing off even more time and the Australian is dominating in the racetrack with 0.189s advantage on Dolderer with 58.079
Hall will be happy and cautiously optimistic with that result and it's the perfect preparation for Race Day for the team. -
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Kopfstein up next and will be looking to retain his midfield position after Free Practice 3 and his 7th place.
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2 more pilots to go before another late night tomorrow. Go Aussie.
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Kopfstein looking calm and the newcomer puts in a clean and smooth performance – he seems to be learning quickly and for a first time in Masters Qualifying Kopfstein puts in 1:01.972
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Kopfstein only 0.7s off the fastest pace in the first split... no penalties on the board and the Czech pilot is looking as though he could move up the timesheets...
NO! A call to knock it off from the race tower and Kopfstein will have to be satisfied with that Run 1 time. It's an encouraging start to the 2016 season and we're sure there's more to come.
Kopfstein 1:01.972 -
Thank you RR, for all your work today. We'll see you tomorrow. G'night
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Nerves seem to be getting the better of Podlunsek as he picks up a handful of penalties in the track, including a pylon hit.
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Podlunsek gets a call from the race tower to knock it off as he wanders over the safety line. It's a DQ for this run and the Slovenian pilot needs to hold it together in his first Qualifying session in the Master Class.
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14 pilots, thanks for your spectaculars! See you tomorrow! -
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Just a short wait as the Air Gators do their thing and get the pylon up and ready
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We need to just keep a level head... We're being pretty consistent at Gate 3 all week but the wind did get up as we flew out there... once I had a good run in the bag I went back to our original line and got a faster time.
- Matt Hall -
Thanks everyone, really enjoyed the live show. Impressed by Matt Hall's flying, looking forward to the race!
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KoPi dobrý první let, bez chyb. Rychlejší časy se dostaví.
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Podlunsek back in for Run 2... he's GOT to keep a level head
