Red Bull Air Race plane wins battle of wings vs wheels
F1 driver David Coulthard and British Superbike rider Jonathan Rea were beaten at Silverstone yesterday by Red Bull Air Race pilot Steve Jones. Pilot, driver and rider raced one full lap of Silverstone’s Grand Prix Circuit simultaneously in a battle of speed, mental agility and vehicle manouevrability. As the chequered flag fell, Jones was noticeably clear of his motoring competitors despite their experience on the circuit.
As he prepares to take to the skies for the UK Red Bull Air Race at Longleat on 2nd September, British pilot Jones challenged Red Bull’s motorsport heroes to a duel of epic proportions. Determined to prove that Air Racing is indeed the ‘Formula One of the skies’, Steve raced Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard and Red Bull Honda Superbike rider Jonathan Rea around the hallowed track at Silverstone in an attempt to prove that his plane is as quick and nimble as DC’s F1 car and Rea’s 1000cc bike.
Pilot Jones won the race with a time of 1.04 minutes, Coulthard was second with a time of 1.31 minutes and Red Bull Honda Superbike rider Jonathan Rea coming in third with a time of 1.57 minutes.
Pilot Steve Jones says: “I didn’t expect to win it and was worried initially about the tight corners, especially when pulling about 10 G’s around Stowe corner. It was amazing to see the bike and car down below on the track, and to hear the F1 car when it accelerated. Races like today are why I love being involved with the Red Bull Air Race World Series and I cant wait until the next unusual challenge.”
David Coulthard comments: “I wasn’t surprised with the result to be honest, given that we know planes can fly faster than cars. I was very interested to see how the bike handles the corners from such close range especially as at times we were only a couple of metres apart. I was also surprised at how well the plane handled some of the tight turns. It was a great challenge but no one likes coming in second place. I’d like to see a replay of the race to see just how tight to the corners Steve flew!”
Jonathan Rea adds: “That was great fun, if a little scarey at times. I was doing well keeping in front of David, but down the straight his superior acceleration pulled him past just before braking into the corner. I have to say I’m looking forward to racing just with bikes again and not having to overtake vehicles two metres in width. Good luck to Steve at Longleat, fingers crossed he can win on home turf.”
Steve Jones, fresh back from the Istanbul leg of the Red Bull Air Race series, is one of three British pilots competing in the series. Paul Bonhomme finished an impressive second in last weekend’s thrilling race in Istanbul. Nigel Lamb is the third British pilot, all competing in the Red Bull Air Race World Series which comes to Longleat, UK on 2nd September 2006.
For further information visit redbullairrace.com.
