Combative Arch Looks to Continue Winning Form in Rio

Hannes Arch is looking to once again underline his top form and increase the pressure on reigning World Champion and overall points leader Paul Bonhomme (GBR) at the third stop of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2010 in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) on 8/9 May. A classy win in the second race of the season in Perth just a few weeks ago catapulted the Austrian into third place in the overall standings and banished once and for all the painful memories of his disqualification at the opening event of the season in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Now the runner-up in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2009 wants to continue his winning form and take over the lead in this year’s World Championship.

“If I stay calm and focus on flying then I should be up there with the fastest pilots in Rio too,” explains a confident Arch. “Our plane is very fast – I don’t think there is a better one in the World Championship. But it isn’t just about the plane. At this level even the smallest mistake can have catastrophic consequences.” Arch current lies third in the overall standings, four points behind second-placed Nigel Lamb (GBR) and eight points behind leader Paul Bonhomme. However, two of this season’s best pilots are also hot on the heels of the Austrian: Matt Hall (AUS) and Pete McLeod (CAN) are level on points with Arch in fourth and fifth place respectively and will be looking to break into the top three in Rio.

The pulsating metropolis Rio de Janeiro is one of the pilots’ favourite race locations. In 2007 over a million people flocked to the city’s beaches to follow the action, and this year another bumper crowd is expected. However, racing conditions in Rio certainly won’t be easy, with a strong sea breeze meaning pilots will be forced to take a difference race line in the afternoon to get through the tricky course quickly and safely.

Rio de Janeiro also has a special place in Hannes Arch’s heart. It was there that the Austrian took fourth place in 2007, the best result of his rookie year. “My first season wasn’t always that easy and it was definitely a steep learning curve, but the result in Rio was for me the proof that I could compete with the best pilots in the world. That gave me the confidence to really go for it in my second season in 2008 and win the World Championship.”

Qualifying for the race takes place on Saturday, 8 May 2010 at 1200 hours local time. The race itself is scheduled to begin at on Sunday, 9 May at 1115 hours local time.

Mario Schoby / Chili Sports Communication / +43 664 638 59 97