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.

Towards Budapest

A quick update from TC Rob here in Japan, as we move in to the last 30 days prior to the next Red Bull Air Race in Budapest and the first there for Team Muroya 31.

Race 31 is repaired and in the shipping container on its way to Budapest. The wing damage was confirmed to be not serious but it was better to err on the side of safety and not race. While we had the chance with the plane at the Zivko Edge factory, we did some further changes that should help the overall performance of the aircraft.

The air tickets to Budapest are booked and Yoshi is raring to go! See you all in Hungary where, the talk has it, Peter is test flying a new Hungarian built race plane.... Will we see it in the races??? Time will tell....

Red Bull Air Race Windsor 4

Very disappointed team at the moment due to a technical problem with the aircraft that precludes us continuing racing at Windsor. The plane is now disassembled ready to move to the repair facility. We will work on the plane and be ready for Budapest.

Good luck to the other teams!

Windsor Race Report 2

First training day was not to be. We set off to the airport with anticipation but by the time the first 5 planes had flown the rain was coming down and those were to be the only flights of the day. Yoshi and I decided to head back but Yoshi was hungry and a bit cold so we stopped at a Chinese restaurant near the airport for some hot noodles. After this afternoon snack the weather had become a bit better so we asked for a test flight to make sure the plane was running as we expected and to keep Yoshi's G tolerance up. We quickly went back to the TRW and Yoshi went for a quick flight. The engine data from the flight is downloaded and analysed and is looking good. Tomorrow should be fine!

Photo shows a wet TRW pit area as it was around 14:00 today.