Historic first for Lake Balaton: Red Bull Air Race takes off on 13-14 July

Historic first for Lake Balaton: Red Bull Air Race takes off on 13-14 July posted: 08/07/2019

The largest lake in Central Europe will host big aerial action when the Red Bull Air Race takes off for the first time at Lake Balaton, Hungary on 13-14 July 2019. As the third race of the season kicks off, 14 of the planet's best Air Racing pilots will dazzle holiday-makers in the resort town of Zam rdi on their quest to earn points for the World Championship. A double-header race for the feeder Challenger Class will add to the excitement of the 13th edition of the Red Bull Air Race in Hungary.

The Red Bull Air Race first flew in Hungary in its inaugural 2003 season, and the country is known as the cradle of the sport. Butnever before have the raceplanes navigated a track over Lake Balaton, which is renowned for its inviting beaches and surrounding vineyards.

On the heels of one of Europe's largest open-air music festivals, aviation fans will converge on Zam rdi to witness the World Championship's last stop on the continent before the race teams head to the season finale in Japan.

Master Class Qualifying at Lake Balaton will take off on Saturday, 13 July, where the pilots will battle for pole position and the top three finishers will earn World Championship points.

Favourites at Lake Balaton include Yoshihide Yoshi Muroya (JPN), the 2017 World Champion who is undefeated this season, as well as Martin onka (CZE), the defending titleholder who holds second overall. In third place on the leaderboard, Matt Hall (AUS) is on a mission, having been runner-up three times without ever clinching the championship.

Young guns Mika Brageot (FRA) and Ben Murphy (GBR) are poised to shake up the standings. And, German fans will be eager to learn if 2016 World Champion Matthias Dolderer will fly after sitting out the previous race in Russia with damage to his raceplane after a pylon hit.

Also on Saturday, the Challenger Class will take off for the first of two races at Lake Balaton, with the second on Sunday. The second competition category of the Red Bull Air Race includes 12 pilots this season, each participating in three races. Those racing at Lake Balaton include M lanie Astles (FRA), Dario Costa (ITA), Daniel Ryfa (SWE), Baptiste Vignes (FRA), Patrick Davidson (RSA), Patrick Strasser (AUT), reigning Challenger Cup Champion Luke Czepiela (POL), and, making his Red Bull Air Race debut, Vito Wypr chtiger, the first Swiss pilot to compete in the sport.

Be there for the first Red Bull Air Race at Lake Balaton, Hungary on 13-14 July. For ticket information, behind-the-scenes stories and all the latest, visit: www.redbullairrace.com.

RED BULL AIR RACE 2019 CALENDAR

8-9 February: Abu Dhabi, UAE

15-16 June: Kazan, Russia

13-14 July: Lake Balaton, Hungary

7-8 September: Chiba, Japan

ABOUT RED BULL AIR RACE

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship is an aerial motorsport series that demands a combination of speed, precision and skill. Using the fastest, most agile, high performance raceplanes, pilots compete in iconic locations over water and land. The high speed, low altitude and extreme manoeuvrability required make it accessible only to the worlds most exceptional pilots.

Flying just metres from the ground, 14 Master Class pilots race against the clock whilst reaching speeds of up to 370 km/h, requiring a combination of precision and skill unmatched in the world of aviation. Pilots must be in peak physical condition as they endure forces up to 12G while navigating the technical racetracks made up of air-filled pylons.

The Air Race was developed in 2003 and is accredited by the F d ration A ronautique Internationale (FAI), with more than 90 races completed across five continents. As the most advanced aerial challenge in existence, competing in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship is the highest accolade for elite pilots. The Challenger Cup feeder series was introduced in 2014.

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