Over 600,000 people packed Berlin's historic Tempelhof Airport, Saturday 27 May, to watch American Kirby Chambliss win the third leg of the Red Bull Air Race World Series with a total time of 02:53.70. This was the second win for Chambliss who won the season's first race in Abu Dhabi.  New Air Race records were also set with Chambliss reaching a top speed of 513 kph (319 mph) and Hungarian pilot Besenyei achieving a record 13.8G in his new Edge 540 plane. Berlin pilot Klaus Schrodt came fourth place with great support from the local crowd.

Prior to the race, thousands of Berliners swarmed onto the paddock to meet the Red Bull Air Racers in person and get a close-up look at their aircraft. Such was the popularity of the pilots, that organisers were forced to close the area earlier than planned due to overcrowding. With over half a million spectators, the turnout for the race was more than twice the number anticipated.

The Red Bull Air Race is a competition about skill as well as speed. Eleven of the world's best pilots race individually against clock through a slalom course in the air and any mistakes incur penalty points which are added to their times. It's a tough race and only the top pilots in the world have the experience and training to cope with the physical demands such as the high G-force and tremendous speeds.

It's currently a close race between Chambliss and Besenyei who won the last competition in Barcelona.  Chambliss is now leading the World Series followed by Besenyei and then Mike Mangold from the USA, with only one point standing between each of them.

Chambliss was delighted with his win, saying, "I sorted out the problems I had in Barcelona. I'm very happy but it was a really close race!"

Berlin was a new addition to the Air Race calendar and also the first time it has taken place at an international airport. The next race takes place in St Petersburg on 17 June.

FMI: www.redbullairrace.com