WINDSOR, Canada – For desk jockeys and armchair quarterbacks who think flying precision airplanes through an obstacle course at an altitude of just 20 metres is an easy thing to do, here’s the chance to see if you have the ‘right stuff’.
From the comforts of your computer, the Red Bull Air Race Game gives you an opportunity to fly (virtually) on the very same tracks past, present and future that the 15 world championship pilots race on.
After a few quick clicks of the mouse, you’ll have your own race plane and be ready to dive into all six race tracks from the 2009 season or any of the first four tracks of the 2010 season – including next month’s race in Windsor, Ontario or the May race in Rio de Janeiro.
The course over the Detroit River proved to be one of the most difficult in 2009 and will likely be one of the more challenging race tracks again in 2010 – in part because the skyscrapers on the Detroit side of the track that straddles the Canada-U.S. border partially block winds on certain segments.
With the keyboard as your controls, armchair pilots can perform a right turn with the “right arrow” key or a left turn with the “left arrow”. The “up” arrow will point the plane’s nose higher while the “down” arrow will do the opposite. For a knife edge right hit the “N” key or for a knife edge left the “B” key. The numbers 1 to 5 are your speed controls while you can look right with “F8” or look left with “F7” while flying at speeds of up to 370 kp/h and enduring forces of up to 12g.
There are even rumours out there that some of the Red Bull Air Race world championship pilots have even taken a look at the virtual tracks on the game as part of their overall preparations for the next race.
The Red Bull Air Race Game, which can be played online for free, is in any event the ultimate fix for Red Bull Air Race fans – for all those who can hardly wait until the next round to get their fill of high-speed, low-altitude precision flying in front of enormous crowds at some of the most breathtaking locations around the world.
Gameplay may require you to download the 3DVIA Player software free of charge.
