Red Bull Air Race to skip London in 2009
The Red Bull Air Race will not be swooping into east London this year.
Organisers have passed over the UK in its list of destinations for its 2009 season, ending two years of events in the capital.
The acrobatic antics of daredevil pilots wowed crowds of up to 50,000 at last year’s event. But the
magnificent men in their flying machines will head to Canada and Spain instead this year, while the programme will be reduced from eight to six races.
Red Bull Air Race spokeswoman Sarah Thomas said: “It’s a real shame because we had a great time in
London.
“It’s a difficult decision as London is one of our most successful races, in terms of interest and feedback. But we get so much interest from cities around the world in hosting races, and with some cities we’ve got longer contracts than others.
“We want to be able to move the races to countries where they haven’t been before.
“We all know that the economic environment isn’t that great. Our aim is an eight-race season but this year we’ll be doing six races. We’ll hopefully be looking at eight races again next year.�
The race has buzzed above the Thames for two years, following a two-year spell at Longleat. Texan Kirby Chambliss was victorious in 2008, defeating Frenchman Nicolas Ivanoff in a rainy final while spectators watched from stands around The O2 arena and West Silvertown.
This year’s season will lift off in Abu Dhabi on April 17, before winging its way through San Diego, Windsor in Canada, Budapest, Porto and Barcelona. It is Spain’s first Red Bull Air Race in four years.
London will instead be hosting the final leg of Red Bull’s X Fighters event in August. But organisers have not confirmed a venue for the international freestyle motocross event as yet.
Red Bull UK spokeswoman Nina Caplin did not rule out the possibility of the air race returning to the UK in future years.
She said: “You can never say never. We’d love to bring it back to the UK. To have the race in the centre of London was always our dream, and it’s gone down brilliantly each time we’ve done it.�
Older/Newer
« West Ham 0 Manchester United 1 | Barclays reveals profit but bonuses cut »
Call me a spoil sport but I am glad its gone. All the practice runs, and the real thing, are a nightmare if you live in the area, especially if like me you work from home.
It is a great shame that the race will not be happening this year. It has been the most exciting event I have ever witnessed. It does not compare to FormulaI - and I have been to the Nuermberg Ring in Germany. This was fantastic and created a sense of participation from beginning to end.
Well, call me a realist, but isn't it normal business practice to stick with your cash cows and not gamble too much, or divert too much capital away from your strongest lines in search of untried markets... Its a very strange business indeed that names London as "... one of our most successful races, in terms of interest and feedback... " and yet abandons it as a location in favour of "... countries where they haven’t been before..." to the detriment of Red Bull I think... Red Bull's Loss...!
The red bull air race was great in london!!
As for the noise Matthew do you not live in london!! and the race was on sundays!! the practice runs were for maybe 2 hours at lunch time. There is more to life than working and the red bull air race showed this by stopped london for one afternoon.
What about the worlds biggest sports day we have soon?
Bring it back!!!
I took my son to the London race in 2008 and it was one of the most exciting events I have ever experienced, a fantastic display that was my son's focus for months afterwards. He did a school project on the race and tournament, rules, pilots etc. and it was the most worthwhile day out we've ever spent. I was looking forward to taking him again this year, and very sad it's not going to happen.
I loved watching the race & the rehersals which took place for an hour and a half for 2 days before the main event. I live near there too Matthew and it is less noisier and attrusive then those bars and pubs that fill up every night at Canary Wharf and the surrounding areas.
I to took my two nephews to watch the 2008 red bull race - great we all loved it!! I do not understand the logic of taking it away from London - huge crowds. Even Red Bull say it was a success. Bring it back soon!
I have not been able to see it live only on TV!
However, 'loyalty' is the best foundation for success and stability in business and friendships. So I think Red Bull Air Racing
may well have shot themselves in the foot for future events. No city is going to mess about disrupting it normal routine at a financial loss only for short term events..surely? ie road and river traffic diversion,especially restricting visiting tourists willing to spend!? , parking, organization, paperwork and planning.
Hurray - may it stay away for ever - or go to a different part of London if they MUST come back! I live opposite the Dome and have all the metal rubbish barges moved to a mooring outside my house for over a week before and during the race period. These crash against each other all through the night, producing a very loud, low-frequency noise that makes the entire house shake and causes all the windows and kitchen cupboard contents to rattle. I don't mind the noise of the actual race itself - it's short-lived and I can go out during the day, but I do resent being deprived of an entire week's sleep and relaxation because of the incidental arrangements the race necessitates.