RedBull AirRace Detroit Qualifying info

13:55  Due to high winds in Detroit, the first Qualifying session set for 2 p.m. has been cancelled.

13:45 American Kirby Chambliss and Hannes Arch of Austria are not about to let Bonhomme walk away with the 8 points from Detroit without a fight. Hungary’s Peter Besenyei also did very well in training on Friday, taking fifth. He’s one of the best pilots in the world and thrives on difficult courses even though his plane has not been as strong this season. Odds are good that those five will be battling it out for spots on the podium.

13:30 Temperatures are a pleasant 79 degrees Fahrenheit in Detroit under partly cloudy skies after heavy rain and thunderstorms on Friday night. But the winds are again strong, coming from the west at up to 25 mph. Championship leader Paul Bonhomme, with 18 points from the first two races, dominated training on Friday after his American rival Mike Mangold topped the time sheets in the first training on Thursday. It’s shaping up to be another classic battle between the rivals who finished one-two last season.

13:15 Qualifying begins in 45 minutes and it’s another windy Midwest day in Detroit, American’s motor city. Britain’s Steve Jones was penalized for “touching a pylon” in Friday’s training session when he got blown slightly off course by 25-knot winds. But you could hardly call it “touching a pylon” because Jones flew straight into the pylon, bursting it to bits in one of the most spectacular hits ever seen. He was not hurt and there was no damage to his plane. Jones said he’s ready for a good run today and is confident of getting in the Super Eights.

13:00 Welcome to the Qualifying for the third Red Bull Air Race of the 2008 World Series season – this time the 12 pilots and their magnificent machines will be racing for championship points in Detroit. The race held just a few meters above the Detroit River will also cross the international border to Canada – the pilots will spend about 13 seconds of the 75-odd second run in Canadian “air space”. It’s the first time a race has been held in two countries at the same time. But fortunately there are no passport or customs controls on the U.S.-Canadian border.

Source: RedBull airraces