2 May 2007
As had been widely predicted in the aviation community, Red Bull today announced that it would be holding this year’s UK leg of its Air Race series above the Thames. The course will involve a course ‘framed by’ the Thames Barrier, the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf and the Greenwich Peninsula, dominated by London’s newest entertainment destination, the O2.
The dates are 28 and 29 July.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the operation is that in order to run the event, Red Bull is planning to clear a piece of waste ground, probably to the north-east of London City Airport, laying down a new runway and turning that into the airfield/pits area.
According to the press release “The event can only be viewed from the designated ticket areas… Prices start from £20 and tickets can be purchased at www.redbullairrace.com from 9am on 17th May 2007.”
Among those giving the event its backing was Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, who said “The Red Bull London Air Race is another exciting addition to the Capital’s events calendar and will have the wonderful backdrop of the River Thames and the London skyline.” The event is claiming itself to be ‘carbon neutral’.
This is the first time that such an event has taken place in central London, due to the difficulties of getting the required approvals “40 permissions” were mentioned at the press conference this morning. It’s also one of the first events which will ‘take place’ at the newly reopened O2 (which used to be called the Millennium Dome).
