First-ever red bull air race in Russia’s history to be held in Kazan

Russia will host its first race in the history of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship on 22-23 July 2017 when the series arrives in Kazan. The host agreement was signed today, March 2, at the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan. Present at the ceremony was President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. Immediately after the  agreement signing event, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov, and General Manager of the Red Bull Air Race, Erich Wolf, took questions from journalists.

The Red Bull Air Race is a series of international competitions featuring eight pilots in each leg. It has the status of a world championship accredited by the World Air Sports Federation (FAI).

Using the fastest, most agile, lightweight racing planes, pilots hit speeds of 370 kmh while enduring forces of up to 10G as they navigate a low-level slalom track marked by 25-meter-high, air-filled pylons. The objective is to navigate an aerial racetrack featuring air-filled pylons in the fastest possible time, incurring as few penalties as possible. Pilots can win World Championship points at each race and the pilot with the most points after the last race of the season becomes the Red Bull Air Race World Champion.

Right after the ceremony, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov, and General Manager of the Red Bull Air Race, Erich Wolf, answered journalists’ questions about the upcoming sporting event.

“Our visit to Kazan was very productive. We’ve signed a host agreement with the Directorate for Sports and Social Projects. We are very flattered that the Tatarstan President supports our project. The Red Bull Air Race has been held for 10 years now but it will be the first race that will be hosted in Russia. The pilots are looking forward to it because each of them wants to become the first-ever winner of the Kazan leg,” said Erich Wolf.

“We choose host cities based on two criteria: firstly, it’s a beautiful scenery and Kazan is a very beautiful city. Secondly, it is important that host cities have experience of hosting mega events with high spectator turnout, and Kazan has rich experience in this regard and we are glad that we have such a partner. We have contracts with the world’s leading broadcasting companies, and Kazan will once again become popular in the sports world thanks to a sporting event of a completely different nature. Taking into account negotiations that were conducted with various government bodies of Russia, I can assure you that the upcoming event will not only be entertaining but also absolutely safe,” he said. 

The aerial racetrack of the Kazan championship will be located above the water area of the Kazanka River along the Kremlyovskaya Embankment. The runway strip will be situated at the Kazan Ring Motor-racing Track (it can be transformed a little bit but this very location was selected so that spectators could come here and meet with pilots). We’ve reached an agreement that in mid-March a huge team of technical specialists who are responsible for the Red Bull Air Race will come to Kazan and we will scrutinise all aspects concerning the preparation process. We are very pleased that most likely the race will be hosted in Kazan during the next three years,” the Minister said. He promised that the hosts will use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the participants and spectators.

The eight-race calendar takes off on 10-11 February, 2017 with the celebration of a double anniversary: UAE will mark the 75th Red Bull Air Race of the World Championship and the 10th consecutive season opener in Abu Dhabi.

Official website of Red Bull Air Race: www.redbullairrace.com.