Air Race pilots must be ‘savvy’ to tackle weekend weather

The weekend's weather will certainly be a factor for the Red Bull Air Race pilots in Abu Dhabi - with significant winds forecast.

ABU DHABI // Pilots competing in this weekend’s Red Bull Air Race will be playing close attention to potentially windy conditions that could alter the way they tackle the 6km course.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the UK’s Nigel Lamb, the reigning Red Bull world champion, said the unique feature of having a racing track with “three dimensions” makes wind an element that pilots must take into account as they try achieve top speeds.

“Any wind and any other meteorological condition can make a track a different challenge,” he said. “It changes the geometry of the track.

“You have to be very savvy, you need to always pay attention to where the wind is from, it can be a land breeze, it can be sea breeze, it’s a different track all the time.”

“He who doesn’t pay attention to the wind will suffer.”

Pilots and organisers have opted to forgo the use of “g race suits” that assist the pilots in their ability to physically handle the high g-forces that come with flying through the course — with the team agreeing that the amount of g force the pilots are expected to endure will not merit their use.

Canadian pilot Pete McLeod said with Abu Dhabi’s heat, exclusion of the suits will be welcomed.

Without the suits, Enirch Wolf, general manager Red Bull Air Race, said he expects pilots will still be able to tackle the course with the same degree of aggressiveness.

McLeod, who clocked the fastest time in Abu Dhabi last year, described the track as a “a fast track” and a “high g track”, further expecting faster times this year round.

Faisal Al Sheikh, director of the events bureau at the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority said: “Whether it be land, sea or air, we in Abu Dhabi have a strong affiliation with motorsports and the Red Bull Air Race allows us to again show our ability to stage major events that thrill visitors and residents alike.”

“It’s a beautiful race, beautiful backdrop, and the pilots are ready to go,” added Jim DiMatteo, the event’s director.