IT'S the most eagerly awaited event in the UK flying calendar - the Red Bull World Air Race Series comes to the capital city, London, to race against the spectaculoar backdrop of the City's Docklands.
The race itself will be over the River Thames, between The O2 - the former Millennium Dome - on the south side of the river, and Peruvian Wharf on the north bank.

Spectator areas are on both banks of the river, with specially erected grandstand seating and cheaper standing zones. Full facilities will be available, including refreshments and access for the disabled in one zone. Note that you cannot switch between different zones - you have to stay in whichever zone you buy a ticket for, so make sure your friends get the same.

So who's going to win?
The season so far has seen several different winners so it's not easy to call. The new for 2007 format of a 'knockout' system has produced some surprises but the pilots are getting used to it by now.
Britain's best hope is Paul Bonhomme, flying one of the all-conquering Edge 540s, but he'll be facing stiff competition from, well, just about everyone.

The Americans, Mike Mangold and Kirby Chambliss, are back on top form, but this could be Austrian Peter Besenyei's year. One of the founders of the Air Race Series, Peter is ultra-sharp this season and appears to thrive on the knockout formula.

We'll have to see whether the new aircraft from Extra, MX2 and Slick are ready in time for the London race. Let's hope so - they'll add an extra unknown dynamic into the mix. Let's hope too that former World Aerobatic Champion, Sergei Rakmanin, possibly the world's best aerobatic pilot, comes to terms with the very different challenge of air racing.

 
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TICKETS
To buy, call the Red Bull Air Race London Box Office 0871 230 1085

RACE WEEKEND TIMETABLE

The 02/South Side
GETTING THERE
There is no car parking available on the south side of the river so all spectators must arrive via public transport or on foot. The closest tube station is North Greenwich on the Jubilee Line, or take a river taxi (Thames Clippers, www.thamesclippers.com). If you choose the Thames Clipper service you will have a 5-10 minutes walk to the event's main entrance through The O2.


TICKET TYPES
Grandstand Seat Saturday £40, Sunday £50
On the South side of the river in Greenwich each grandstand seat offers a spectacular view for the day and you can select your seat.

Standing, Zone 1 Saturday £20, Sunday £30
On the Thames Path directly in front of The O2, this zone offers you views of the planes swooping in to attack the start gate. Zone 1 tickets do not allow access into Standing Zones 2 or 3.

Standing, Zone 2 Saturday £20, Sunday £30
On the Thames Path in front of the grandstands adjacent to The O2, this zone offers a view of the entire course. There will be a big screen in this zone as well. Zone 2 tickets do not allow access into Standing Zones 1 or 3. The disabled viewing area is within Zone 2.

Standing, Zone 3 Saturday £20, Sunday £30
On the Thames Path in front of the David Beckham Academy, this zone offers a view of the entire course and especially the track's most complex manoeuvre. There will also be a big screen in this zone. Zone 3 tickets do not allow access into Standing Zones 1 or 2.

There are dedicated food and drink outlets and toilets in each zone.

Peruvian Wharf/North Side
GETTING THERE
By train: The nearest Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station is West Silvertown.
By car: If you wish to drive, there are a limited number of parking spaces at ExCel London (£10 per vehicle), allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
You can then follow the signed walking route from ExCeL to Peruvian Wharf or take the DLR. Both routes will take 15-20 minutes.

TICKET TYPES
Grandstand Seat Saturday £40, Sunday £50
A grandstand seat on the north side of the river offers a view of the course against the backdrop of The O2. The seat is for the whole day and you choose where you want to sit.

Standing Saturday £20, Sunday £30
On the north side of the river, the standing area offers a view of the course against the backdrop of The O2.