Getting down to Race Day! The Team headed to the airport in an Audi A8 provided by Audi, one of the Red Bull Air Race sponsors for 2014!
Late Thursday night we found we would have the opportunity to fly a second training session before the qualifying race. The qualifying race was exciting, first to be racing again and midway into the competition the wind changed 180 degrees causing a few pylon hits. A pylon hit is a thrill for the crowd and the television crew, but results in a “Did Not Finish” for the pilot. In qualifying, the pilots are given two runs. Kirby clipped a pylon in the first run and strategically ran the second run somewhat conservatively. All twelve pilots were within seconds of separation, it’s going to be close tomorrow!
After the competition the media and some of the guests came to pit lane to meet the pilots, it truly is a global event! Kirby met friends from China, Greece, Italy Germany, Austria and Kuwait, just to name a few! It was a super day, but a long one. It will be time shortly to start another day in the UAE, so stay tuned for Race Day!
I am also sorry to say that the US will not be able to watch the live webcast, as we reported earlier. Please tune into Fox Sports 1 on Monday night at 9:30pm ET for the full coverage of the Red Bull Air Race, Abu Dhabi 2014!
Kirby is practicing in his make shift race course of Red Bull cans! Go Kirby!
