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Hannes Arch - RedBull Air Race

From Obertauern to Abu Dhabi - Arch to Soar Over New York in 2010

Hannes Arch completed his Austrian training camp in Obertauern near Salzburg on Monday with a spectacular demo flight and a team presentation before heading off to Abu Dhabi (UAE), where the opening race of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship will take place on 26/27 March 2010. This season's race schedule is set to feature an additional highlight as the best pilots in the world battle it out for world championship points over the skies of New York (USA) on 19/20 June.

OBERTAUERN (AUT). "Our aim is the world championship title," underlined Austria's fastest pilot at the Edelweiss Hotel in Obertauern, where Arch also used the opportunity to present his race plane for the eight stops of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2010. "We have a completely new plane this year. As well as shedding 30 kg compared with last year's machine, we have also been working very hard on the motor and the aerodynamics," explained the man from Styria in southern Austria, adding: "We are pretty sure that we are going to be quick and definitely able to mix it with the fastest teams."

The 42-year-old spent the past weekend at the Lürzer Ferien Hotels in the picturesque Alpine village of Obertauern, where he has used the mountain air at 1,750 metres above sea level to finalise his preparations ahead of the season opener in the United Arab Emirates. "Here I have perfect conditions to recharge my batteries and prepare myself for Abu Dhabi," commented Arch. "Now it is time to leave the powder snow here in Austria behind and head off into the boiling conditions in Abu Dhabi." The current Red Bull Air Race vice-world champion also performed a breathtaking demonstration flight at the Edelweissalm - including passing two genuine race air gates - and certainly left a lasting impression on the tourists visiting the winter sports paradise!

"For me, racing in Abu Dhabi is like racing at home. Of course people are expecting another top result after my win there in 2009, but the starting field is much closer than in the past - all of the pilots have worked hard on themselves and moved on to the next level," comments Arch, aware of the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

In 2010, the race series will once again visit Perth (AUS) and Rio de Janeiro (BRA). The highlight of the season is sure to be the race in New York on 19/20 June 2010. Arch can only agree: "It's going to be a fantastic race at a really special location."

After winning the title in 2008, Hannes Arch finished second to Paul Bonhomme (GBR) last year in the overall standings of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2009.

Race Calendar: Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2010:
26/27 March 2010 Abu Dhabi (UAE)
17/18 April 2010 Perth (AUS),
08/09 May 2010 Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
05/06 June 2010 Windsor (CAN)
19/20 June 2010 New York (USA)
07/08 August 2010 Lausitz (GER)
19/20 August 2010 Budapest (HUN)
04/05 September 2010 Lisbon (POR)

Joerg Mitter for Red Bull Photofiles
www.hannesarch.com