AIR RACE 1 LAUNCHES INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL AIR RACE IN LLEIDA, CATALUNYA SPAIN

Press Releases

February 19, 2013

Air Race 1 has today announced that Lleida, near Barcelona in Spain, will host the first international Formula 1 Class air racing series on the
1st June.
The Air Race 1 will be held at the Lleida-Alguaire Airport and will showcase the skills of the world’s premier Formula 1 air racing pilots and their high – performance race planes. This first 2014 event is the showcase for the launch of a full annual world series of Air Race 1 events in 2015.

Air Race 1 is the only international pylon air race series where all aircraft compete against each other at the same time. Reaching speeds of over 400kph (over 250mph), racing just 10 metres above the ground, Air Race 1 is faster than any other international motorsport series. The national F1 air racing associations of the USA, the UK and France have confirmed the provision of pilots for the Spain event and a full line-up of competitor names and nationalities will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Formula 1 class of air racing has been established for almost 70 years and, like other motorsport classes, the planes are specifically engineered to strict parameters. Formula 1 planes are the only airplane class purpose-built specifically for air racing. Pilots and mechanics teams build and modify the planes themselves within the criteria of the rules which dictate a minimum wing area of 66 square feet, an empty weight of 500 pounds and a 100horsepower engine.
The forthcoming Lleida Air Race 1 event will consist of eight teams racing together over 10 five-kilometre laps with at least three races each day. More information about the air race schedule and the full list of Air Show entertainment to take place alongside the air race will be announced soon.
Jeff Zaltman, CEO of Air Race 1, commented:“ We are thrilled to announce the launch of this Formula 1 air race and the future Air Race 1 World Series. This is a big step for the sport of air racing and we are proud to be taking it with the beautiful tourist city of Lleida. We are particularly delighted by our strong partnership with the new international Lleida-Alguaire Airport, the Formula 1 air racing associations and our local organizer, the Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell. This momentous event will enthuse and inspire many thousands of live spectators and television audiences!”
Ramon Farré Roure, the Lleida Delegate to the Government of Catalunya, said: “Lleida is a growing tourist destination perfectly situated to enjoy a wide range of winter and summer activities. Now we are pleased to add another exciting attraction to our country’s calendar. Our association with Air Race 1 will help raise the international profile of our city and highlight the travel services our n ew international airport has to offer. We look forward to developing this relationship with Air Race 1.”