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Just got back from the Red Bull air race at monument valley in Arizona. It was my first visit to an air race and to be perfectly frank I found it to be nothing short of spectacular.

The venue was quite perfect (and so was the weather)... I would not be surprised if this air race series eventually gets as big as other forms of motor racing such as F1 in the future. The crowd was hugely enthusiastic and became increasingly motivated towards the end of the race.

Couple of questions for any of you guys in the know -

How do they move so much equipment around the world (aircraft included), do they crate everything to each venue ? The portable control tower is a decent amount of airfreight on its own. They also had their Swiss registered BK 105 and a Bell 206.

Can this be a profitable excercise considering the fact that most venues are free of charge ?

Just curious really as it most impressive

I am very impressed at the level of investment in the race series, for example, Redbull built a new Runway for the Navajo indians just so they could use it for the race at Monument Valley! Amazingly generous if you ask me.

It's called marketing.....

They put a bit of money into an event in the hope that people will buy more of their (in my opinion) nasty drink.

They always find a way to charge the Brits for these things. £50 + non refundable in any circumstances booking fee (would not be fair, apparently) to watch it from the stands on Sunday in London. Think it's £40 just to stand on the river bankI guess the previous strip which has a cliff at the end of it, one that goes up into the air, not down into the ground, wasn't up to scratch. One way runway with no nice go around possibility if you are landing.

Superb location but in the middle of nowhere. Would definitely have to fly in, even then it's in the middle of nowhere, not even VFR flight following around those parts, and only electronic navigation is via GPS.

On the TV last year (forget which race) in the background there was an Airbus Guppy (or whatever it's called) which they put everything in without dismantling

I doubt very much that Red Bull could charge people for standing by the Thames watching the race. O.K so they may have a grandstand with vip stuff where you will pay to watch, however I reckon it is still a huge loss maker as the cost of setup and transportation must be staggering.

Does anyone know where abouts down the Thames this Red Bull air race is being held? Must confess to be being slightly suprised that it got the go-ahead! Must be pretty near to the river mouth surely? Where are the aircraft taking off from when they compete?

Cheers,

VFE.

'Wheres it happening?'
 

Its on the Thames to the east of the Dome. An ideal place 'cos theres nowhere to watch without paying unless some Ppruner has an over looking flat. Queue BIG party.

I would venture the AC would depart from City airport

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m..._Event_Map.jpg

Got the cost for standing on the riverbank wrong. £20 on Saturday, £30 on Sunday (+ booking fee). They say you will not be able to see it from anywhere else, but they would of course. No idea whether that is true.

Just hope they make purchasing tickets easier than they are doing for Interlaken!!!

Again, I am amazed this got the go ahead from GLC and the CAA! Don't even want to ponder the prosepcts of something going wrong.............

VFE.