World Championship Air Race

[Adam]

Recently a website was launched for the World Championship Air Race, the successor to the Red Bull Air Race which was the subject of quite a bit of speculation a month or two back.
https://www.wcairrace.com/

The website gives some interesting details, namely:

• The first season will run from December 2020 until Q3 2021. That timeframe implies that a significent number of equatorial/southern hemisphere races are planned.

• Races are promised in ten countries spanning four continents. RBAR frequented North America, Europe and Asia, but it also held races in Australia and South America on occasion, so it's likely one of those is on the cards.

• The website says 36 pilots will take part. Even assuming all 14 Masterclass and 12 Challenger Class pilots participate (which is unlikely), that's still a big intake of new pilots. So far we know Dario Costa is involved, and Kirby Chambliss and Ben Murphy have indicated interest.

It's fantastic to see the sport returning so quickly, with big ambitions in its first year! Hopefully it's not long until we find out some of the destinations and competitors!

[Adam]

A big website update recently, with lots more information:

• The first series is now expected to start in Q4 2021

• All 14 race teams from the 2019 RBAR Masterclass have registered their interest, as well as new teams formed of Challenger Class pilots.

• Lots of familiar names are involved in the organisation of this event: Cruickshank, Bonhomme, DiMatteo, Jones, Lamb, Reed & more.

• The top tier of competition, AeroGP1, will feature 12 pilots in a familiar RBAR-style format.

• The second tier, AeroGT, will be a feeder competition for new pilots. They will compete in three teams in a Le Mans relay-style format.

• The third tier will feature VTOL personalised transportation, such as jet packs.

• Raceplanes in the AeroGP1 and AeroGT tiers will be the same as used in the RBAR, but will use sustainable biofuels by 2022. The series aims to be carbon neutral by the 5th season and will progress to using all-electric aircraft in the long term.

• The FAI have granted an exclusive license to WCAR to promote track air racing for the next 15 years.

They've clearly got all the know-how and are aiming to be in it for the long term, looking forward to seeing this take off!

[Adam]

Last week, WCAR announced they have entered a 15-year parnership with the FAI to provide safety oversight and governmence (presumably this will also allow WCAR to become an official World Championship). They will be the sole recognised airgate-based manned air racing series during that time.

In other news, at the end of last year, WCAR won investment from a capital investment firm which announced in their press release some of the anticipated destinations for the new series: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Australia, India, China, South Africa, United Kingdom and France. China and Saudi Arabia are no surprise as they were both on RBAR's radar, and RBAR had an unfinished contract in Cannes which perhaps WCAR have taken over. India, Egypt and South Africa are interesting ones! A return to the UK and Australia will be fantastic and I look forward to finding out what the venues are. Surprising to see the USA is not on the list, though.

The first series is now expected to begin in Q1 2022!