BUT BRITAIN’S PAUL BONHOMME STILL LEADING THE CHAMPIONSHIP
35,000 spectators lined the shores of the River Thames in London to watch American Mike Mangold (USA/Team Cobra) soar to victory in the sixth leg of the Red Bull Air Race World Series in London, winning the race with a time of 1:25.82 minutes.
Mangold beat Britain’s Paul Bonhomme (Team Matador) by just over one second and completed a superb run at speeds of up to 400 km/h (250 mph) and forces of up to 10G, racing through the air gates in the low level course stretched out along the River Thames in front of The O2 arena. This is Mangold’s second victory of the season after his win in Istanbul. Mangold also achieved the fastest lap of the day in his semi final race against Besenyei with a time of 1:24.79 minutes.
Following the race the ever gracious Mangold tipped his hat to his rivals:“The other 11 pilots are some of the most professional aviators out there. It’s a real honour to fly with these guys.”
Bonhomme is still leading the championship with 31 points followed by Mangold with 30 points.
The pilots benefited from improved weather conditions on Sunday after days of high wind and turbulence. Calmer skies allowed for higher speed and faster times. The event final was sold out with thousands turning up to watch the action.
In the consolation race for third place, Hungarian Peter Besenyei (Team Red Bull) beat Alejandro Maclean (ESP/MRT).
Among the crowds enjoying the racing action today were singer Matt Willis, England rugby player Lewis Moody, actor Ralph Little, Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher from McFly and comedian Vic Reeves with his wife Nancy Sorrell.
The competition in London, the sixth leg of the 10-race Red Bull Air Race World Series, was the third stop to be held in Europe. Previous races were held in Abu Dhabi, Rio de Janeiro, Monument Valley (U.S.A), Istanbul and Interlaken, Switzerland. The next stop is Budapest, Hungary, on 19 and 20 August. Last year more than six million spectators watched all the action at eight races across the world.
