The opening round of the 2006 Red Bull World Air Race Series was won by American Kirby Chambliss last month, in the United Arab Emirates. Second was last season’s champion Mike Mangold (USA) followed by Peter Besenyei (Hungary).

The race was held over the harbour of Abu Dhabi. Ten of the world’s top aerobatic pilots took part, racing through a course of air ‘gates’ while performing aerobatic manoeuvres.

Mangold, a former US Air Force Top Gun pilot, had been hot favourite to win, but suffered a 10-second penalty in the second round after hitting the last gate. The top British pilots were Paul Bonhomme, (7th), and Steve Jones (8th).

This year’s series is expected to be closer than ever, with several pilots having new, more competitive aircraft. Spaniard Alejandro Maclean (4th) has bought an American Edge 540, similar to that used by Chambliss and Mangold, and Corsican Nicolas Ivanoff (5th) has the new lightweight and modified Extra 300SP.

W: www.redbullairrace.com

PHOTOS Nicolas Dumont/www.redbull-photofiles.com

Red Bull Calendar:
Barcelona: 6 May
Berlin: 27 May
Istanbul: 29 July
Budapest: 20 August
UK (Location tba): 2 Sept
USA (location tba): 7 Oct
Perth, Australia: 19 Nov