27 July 2007
American pilot Mike Mangold (Team Cobra/Edge 540) topped Friday’s training session for the London Red Bull Air Race on Monday with a time of 1:27.56, ahead of local favourite Paul Bonhomme (Team Matador/Edge 540) and fellow American Kirby Chambliss.
The elements were again not perfect, with a 21 kt wind causing problems for the competitors.
“It’s very windy and that’s making a very interesting track at the moment,” said Bonhomme. “It’s really good. There’s lots of sideways flying.”
There’s some suggestion that the weather could help the British pilots. Added Bonhomme: “We’re used to the weather here. Everybody’s been taking the mickey out of us because we’ve been walking around in T-shirts pretending it’s summer.”
Despite the windy and sometimes wet conditions, Bonhomme is predicting “lovely” weather on the day of the race.
Twelve pilots are expected to take part in the race which starts on Sunday morning; qualifying is tomorrow afternoon.
The event will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Sunday, starting at 2.50.
