The Red Bull Air Race was conceived in 2001 in the Red Bull sports think-tank, which has been responsible for creating a wide range of innovative sports events across the world. The aim was to develop a brand new aviation race that ould challenge the ability of the world’s best pilots, creating a race in the sky that was not simply about speed, but also precision and skill. The answer was to build a specially designed obstacle course, which the pilots would navigate at high speeds. Development of the prototypes of what are now known as the “Air Gates” began in 2002 and renowned Hungarian pilot Péter Besenyei successfully completed the first test flight through them. After two years in planning and development, the first official Red Bull Air Race was ready to take off in Zeltweg, Austria in 2003. A second was staged the same year near Budapest in Hungary. The series was expanded in 2005 to become the Red Bull Air Race World Series.

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship features the world’s best race pilots in a pure motor-sport competition that combines speed, precision and skill. Using the fastest, most agile and lightweight racing planes, pilots navigate a low-level aerial track made up of air-filled pylons 25 meters high. There are several rules and safety changes compared to the last race three years ago, but one thing remains the same: The Red Bull Air Race is the most thrilling motor sports competition in the sky.