26 June 2008
Which is faster: a Spitfire or the MX2 aircraft – the type that was designed specifically for the Red Bull Air Race series?
The answer, of course, is obvious. One is 1930s technology, the other is a child of the 21st century. One is designed for fighting, the other for racing. One weighs 5,09lb, the other a mere 1,290lb. So the fastest is – the Spitfire.
In a rather embarrassing result for the Red Bull team, a publicity stunt around the Schneider Trophy course off the Isle of Wight proved that the Spitfire (which was piloted by Red Bull series leader Paul Bonhomme) was faster than the MX2 racer (piloted by Nigel Lamb). At least, it’s faster in a straight line – Red Bull is emphasising that the MX2 is much more manoeuvrable than the Spitfire. In fact, so manoeuvrable that it flew <i>through</i> the Needles rather than over them!
The stunt was to publicise the London Red Bull race, which takes place on 2 and 3 August.
