The announcement that a race will be held in Stockholm for the first time was made by Red Bull boss Bernd Loidl in the dramatic surrounds of Hangar-7 at Salzburg Airport in Austria.

Bids from around the world were considered before the final calendar was decided. For the first time, Detroit will appear as the second city in America to host a round of the 2008 World Series. Spain will also stage a race and the city will be confirmed soon. In addition Rotterdam is back on the calendar after a successful Red Bull Air Race in the Dutch city in 2005.

Ten cities in all will make up the 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Series calendar with the traditional season opener in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 April.

The remaining cities, who all hosted a round in 2007, are San Diego, London, Budapest, Porto and Perth.

"This is an exciting time for the Red Bull Air Race World Series," said Loidl. "With an adapted race format, a selection of spectacular and diverse host cities and the world's best pilots ready to battle it out, I'm looking forward to an incredible 2008 season."

Each race will comprise two days of competition: Qualifying and Race Day. A new race format will see all twelve pilots compete on Race Day for the first time.

South African Glen Dell will make his debut in the Red Bull Air Race World Series in 2008, with Dutchman Frank Versteegh and German Klaus Schrodt retiring from the sport.

This means that twelve of the world's top pilots will contest the 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Series flying through the challenging, twisting race tracks just metres above the ground with points awarded for the fastest times and least number of penalties.

The overall winner will be crowned Red Bull Air Race World Champion after the season finale in Perth, Australia in November.

In 2007, there were four million spectators at the ten races held worldwide and over 400 million on television. In the Red Bull Air Race, the world's best pilots reach speeds of 400 km/h, enduring forces of up to 10 Gs as they navigate a low-level aerial race track made up of air-filled pylons.

W: www.redbullairrace.com