Gear -- 6 days ago
Words: Violet
The most contemporary of all our aviation moments so far, the Red Bull Air Race World Championship has made its way from a bit of fun to something that people in the industry take very seriously, so much so that it is now an official World Championship and is international regarded as one of the most thrilling and fastest motorsport on the planet.
The Red Bull Air Race World Championship is all about superb speed and expert skill meaning that only 12 world class pilots compete in the Master Class category competing in eight races across the world. Acquiring points across all eight races, the pilots have to navigate an aerial racetrack featuring air-filled pylons in the fastest time possible.
2014 sees some key changes in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. This year all 12 pilots racing with a standardized propulsion package – a high-performance, race tuned standardized engine and standardized propellers. 2014 also sees the introduction of the Challenger Cup offering another competition for more talented pilots to compete in.
The Master Class pilots include two Brits – Paul Bonhomme and Nigel Lamb – as well as other competitors from Europe, Canada, USA and Japan. Paul Bonhamme raced to victory in the season opener in Abu Dhabi last month winning the first race.
Breitling is the official timekeeper and global partner of the competition meaning they will be timekeeping for all eight events. Selected for the esteemed reputation of their precision aviation watches, the timekeeping is such a crucial and important job as it can all come down to 1/100th of a second between the competitors. They have to get it right.
“Time will be measured in the thousands of a second,” said Sergio Pla, Head of Aviation at Red Bull Air Race. “We also have a photo-finish system, which has a resolution of 1/10,000th of a second. That system will be used if two pilots have the exact same time at the 1/1,000th of a second.”
Breitling return as the Red Bull Air Race official timekeepers for the forthcoming season. The next race starts tomorrow in Rovinj then moves onto Putrayaya, Gdynia and then Ascot. To get tickets click here.
30 Greatest Moments In Aviation – in association with Breitling, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the timeless Chronomat., For more information visit breitling.com or follow them on Twitter
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
