Wild Card and Top 12

Yoshi made a creditable time in the wildcard and although 2 of the wild carders were DSQed we felt we deserved our place in the 12s. The next flight was a different story though as we had difficulty with our engine start which might have upset the rythm for the flight. Anyway, a pylon hit and a level flight penalty finished us for the Budapest races. The time through the track was encouraging though. We look forward to the next races in Porto!

Qualifying

We did well in the track today but almost everyone else did better!
It will be an interesting wild card race tomorrow for sure. Hopefully we can make use of the second chance the wildcard brings.

Budapest Training 3 and 4

Training 3 and 4 and compensation training today was a mixed bag for the team.

Times through the track were not too bad however some small errors resulting in penalties in each of the runs are holding back our race time and qualification start rankings. However we were not the only ones with no less than 4 disqualifications for various rule infractions and 2 did not starts due to equipment problems.

Tomorrow will be a better day!

Picture by Taro Imahara: Yoshi waits his turn to fly.

Live timing on internet

You can follow the timing action live here:

http://www.redbullairrace.com/infosystem

Tokol sushi

Last night Team Muroya had a special treat when Hannes invited us over to his hanger for sushi. On the TRW there is no alcohol so Red Bull was substituted for the traditional sake or cold Asahi Superdry beer!

Photo shows Pete, Hannes and Yoshi discussing the days practice session over sushi and Red Bull in Hannes' hanger.

Budapest 6

Practice flight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K43Npm98Bn8

Budapest 5

17:00
First day of training on the course in Budapest went well considering it was the first time under a real bridge for Yoshi! Race 31 is performing well and we look forward to improving our times bit by bit over the next 3 days.

Well done Team Maclean and Team Sergei now having their aircraft back flying after some long hours work changing equipment. In the case of Sergei they had to change the whole engine and they are in the air testing the plane as I write.

Hoping to post a video of our 2nd practice run later this evening.

Budapest 4

Today was "under bridge" training day and calibration flights. The calibration flights involve flying each aircraft over head the airfield to test and calibrate the on board cameras and flight data telemetry downlinks. The rookie pilots also conducted training flights involving flying under a rope suspended between two race pylons at the same height as the bottom of the Chain bridge to the river below. Veteran retired RBAR pilot Klaus Schrot coached the pilots on under bridge flying. The pylons were on Tokol airport and will later be used (without the rope!) for media promotion flights in the RB Extra300L.

After the flights were completed, Yoshi and Rob headed for the Compound area where we, together with most of the new people, were given a tour of all the operations areas controlling the races on the race track. Of course the race tower is the most conspicuous of the structures that make up the compound however there are a lot more things going on in the surrounding temporary buildings erected there for the event.

Some photos attached.

Budapest 3

Race day -5
Yesterday evening we were able to do a test and training flight. The engine is running well and seems to have more power in line with our expectations. This morning Yoshi and Rob checked out the race course area on the Danube River. We walked over the famous Chain Bridge which is now the "traditional start/finish" for the Budapest leg of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. Late afternoon training saw Team Sergei suffer an over speed of the engine/propeller and it looks like they are in for some late nights to rectify the problem. Same applies for Team Maclean. Their hanger door remained closed all day today while some serious work is taking place on their engine to enable it to pass scrutineering after modification work during the break between races. For race 31 we had another training flight and Yoshi is happy with the plane and got some secret practice inflying under the bridge!

Budapest 2

Race day -6.
For our fans in Japan, Fuji TV will be on site in Budapest to record the entire event as part of their 3 part 3 hour TV programming featuring Yoshi and the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2009. We will be looking forward to seeing the Red Bull Air Race Fuji TV programs in Japan!

Fuji TV is well known for its coverage in Japan of Formula 1 motor racing and other major sporting events.

In Budapest

All three team members arrived in Budapest yesterday (12th August)
Yoshi arrived from Japan, Takashi from Los Angeles and Robert from Auckland all via Frankfurt.
Today assembly of the plane is progressing smoothly. All the european teams have had their aircraft assembled, flying and under modification since around 21st July. Teams Bonnhome, Ivanoff and Lamb had their planes shipped directly to the UK and are due to fly in to Tokol airport, the race runway, today via a promotion photoshoot in France.

Team Dolder arrived early from Germany and have their engine covered with a white cloth hiding what is rumoured to be a new engine (with a Californian aroma) installed no doubt with all the latest go fast goodies (light weight pistons, cylinders, tapered inlet tubes, lightweight exhaust etc)installed as they play equipment catch up with the experienced teams. Closed hanger doors shield their plane from curious eyes.... Enthusiastic German fans will be arriving in droves by chartered 737 to cheer Mattias on in Budapest.

Photos show Race 31 wing repair waiting for a coat of paint and partly assembled plane front into the hanger to keep our engine work out of easy view.