Red Bull Air Race World Series

The Grand Week of the Champagne at Reims, France was the first ever air racing event held in history. It was held in the year 1909. After that many air races were held such as Schneider Trophy seaplane race, Cleveland Air races, Reno Air races etc.

A long time since, the Red Bull Company created a series called Red Bull Air Race World Series in which pilots fly singly through a series of gates or pylons. It attracted many people especially in large cities where it was usually held. The Red Bull Series was introduced in Europe in 2003 with only half a dozen competitors, but it was remarkably successful. A three time world aerobatic champion Peter Besenyei suggested that airplane racing should be more of a three dimensional sport, and accordingly, the Red Bull races are a cross between high-G, low level, air show manoeuvres and conventional, closed-course pylon racing.

The Air Race in Europe was kicked off in 2003 with two events, one in Austria and the other in Hungary, Peter Besenyei's home country. In 2004 there were three races, two in Europe and the third one in U.S. The first of the three races was held in June at Kemble air day in Gloucestershire, U.K. The second in August at Budapest, Hungary. The final race of the season was held in conjunction with the world's premier racing venue, the 41st Annual National Air Races Championship in Reno, Nevada. The Red Bull Air Race World Series Championship was decided at the Reno event.

Eight pilots flew in each of the competitions and included some of the best aviators from the U.S. and Europe.

The planes with which the pilots create some of the amazing stunts are the world's most agile high-performance aerobatic mounts. The French CAP 232, German Extra 300, Sukhoi SU-26 to SU-31, Edge 540 is perhaps the most popular among them.