Matt Hall flies into the track and despite a super-fast start in the green, he's struggled his way through Gates 4 and 5 and picked up two lots of +2 second penalties for incorrect level flying.
His first run is the fastest with 53.383 including a +2 second penalty. If Hall can make it cleanly through the track he could be looking at a podium place this weekend, if Arch's times are anything to go by
Abu Dhabi victor Paul Bonhomme is in the track and it's red, red, red on the split times. He's not impervious to Gate 4 as he picks up a penalty. He's neck and neck with Lamb in the timings...
The wind is low at just 5kts at the moment so it's just a case of getting set up for that tricky pass through Gates 3 and 4... Lamb says he thinks it's a 53s track but Mangold has suggested it could be as fast as 50s.
Bonhomme's learning fast and his second run is clean and fast - he clocks in 51.609 and is on Arch's heels but needs to be careful, a scratched third Run due to exceeding the start speed limit is something he'll need to keep in check when it comes to Qualifying and the head-to-heads tomorrow. Bonhomme currently in second.
Gates three and four are really interesting, if you leave the chicane badly then it really affects the way you fly into Gate four, not Gate three. You have to think two steps ahead.
The vertical turning manoeuvre is also tricky. It’s the most difficult place to choose the correct line.
There’s a lot of variation in the track, and it can be interpreted differently. It doesn’t mater how difficult or easy the track is, there are always many ways to fly and find the optimum line
by Red Bull Air Racevia twitter5/16/2015 6:27:53 AM
News in regarding the Challenger Cup Qualifying:
Weather and insufficient visibility forced the race committee to postpone the racing of today and to cancel the qualifying session of the Challenger Class. Tomorrow’s Challenger Cup starting order will be based on the actual World Ranking of the Challenger Class.
1st training done and a bit to work on after a few penalties. Speed is good, just need to tighten things up #airrace#Chiba#TeamMHR
by Matt Hall Racingvia twitter5/16/2015 6:31:14 AM
I was not super happy because I flew quite risky in terms of possible penalties. Looking at Paul Bonhomme, who flew much safer, yet only something like a couple of tenths slower than me, I think that's more the strategy I have to come to -- to fly it more safe without risking penalties.
I’m really happy with the new raceplane. It feels really nice. The handling is lighter than expected. The track feels long and extended, but I didn’t have a problem, now time to get ready for Qualifying.
Green light for Goulian... good work from the American who has changed his plane and setup this year. It seems to be paying off... but an over-G at Gate 10!
Good speed at lots of power as he heads into the tricky Gates 3 and 4 and he's cleanly through... his split times are off the pace off Chambliss. He passes through with a time clocked in and takes first place from Chambliss!
Czech pilot Martin Sonka up next, in his Edge 540 V3. And Gate 3 is causing him issues again as an incorrect level flying. Good speed as he goes through though... he's careful not to exceed Gs. He's getting ready to reposition for his second run. Without that penalty he's well on pace...
Focus is a priority for Sonka... he's sprinting through the course but needs a much faster finish. He's sitting in second place behind Goulian and the team seem happy. He's learning in every run out there but there's no doubt it's going to be a tight race out there today...
It's so happening! We are ON here in Chiba and the fans have gone crazy for the baseball caps! #allthegear #airrace twitter.com/redbullshop/st…by Red Bull Air Race via twitter 5/16/2015 6:27:53 AM
