Opening ceremony at Red Bull Air Race airport in Sabadell

BARCELONA, Spain – The Spanish cities of Barcelona and Sabadell officially welcomed the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, its 15 pilots and CEO Bernd Loidl with a ceremony at the Red Bull Airport in Sabadell on Wednesday ahead of the final race of the 2009 season this weekend. Loidl – standing with championship leader Paul Bonhomme of Britain, defending champion Hannes Arch of Austria and the rest of the pilots – expressed his thanks to Josep Ayuso, Vice-Mayor of Sabadell City Council, and Lluis Gomez, representative of the Barcelona City Council, for hosting the 3-4 October grand finale of what has been the most exciting season in Red Bull Air Race World Championship history.

“It’s a very special opportunity to have the final race of the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Barcelona,” Loidl told the local dignitaries and media gathered at the airport. “Staging a race of this complexity and scale is based on a true partnership of all the authorities here and partners especially the City of Barcelona and City of Sabadell. Without their support it would not be possible. It forms the base for a strong future cooperation in the years to come.”

Hannes Arch is in the hunt

Bonhomme leads the championship with 55 points and will be trying to win his first title after coming a close second in both 2007 and 2008. Arch, who won last year’s championship in only his second season, is four points behind and will be looking to capitalise on any errors Bonhomme makes in front of what could be the largest crowd of the season. With 13 points up for grabs for the victory, Arch is still very much in the hunt in the race just off Barcelona’s beaches and a few metres above the surface of the Mediterranean Sea. Both Bonhomme and Arch got a close look at the World Championship trophy which was on display – specially designed by Herend Porcelain from Budapest.

“The weekend will be loaded with race action and a great entertainment programme throughout the entire day on Saturday and Sunday,” Loidl said. “We hope to give people a chance to witness the fastest developing motorsport in the world. You can see that reflected when you walk up and down pit lane and look at this high end motorsport. You can also see the future here – in 2010 we’ll underline the claim of being truly global with 8 races in major cities around the world.”Ayuso, the Vice-Mayor of Sabadell City Council, said he was delighted to be hosting the season finale on the same weekend as a major industrial trade fair is taking place.

It’s good for the city

“This weekend we also have an international meeting with lots of commercial companies and Sabadell is a centre for industry so from a business perspective it’s a huge boost. The aviation industry in Sabadell now employs an additional 500 people and the Red Bull Air Race has helped contribute to this.” he said. “It’s a sport that will be followed by thousands of people not only here but around the world. It’s very good for the city.”

Alejandro Maclean is proud of being able to race in Spain

Local hero Alejandro Maclean said he was looking forward to racing at home again in Spain, which is hosting a race for the first time since the 2006 race in Barcelona that was watched by about 1 million spectators.

“Obviously I’m very proud of being able to race here in Spain and particularly in Barcelona,” Maclean said. “It does bring an additional pressure due to the responsibility to deliver and give the best. But it’s part of the game and it’s great fun.” Maclean said the Red Bull Air Race is custom-made for Spanish fans.

“The Spanish people share something with all of us, with the competitors and with the organizers – which is the passion, the passion for sports and particularly motorsports which you can breathe and feel in the air,” he said. “It’s something special and I feel very proud to be able to race in my country. We can expect an incredible race this weekend with two potential champions — one trying to show that he can still be the world champion and one trying to be world champion. I wish them both the very best.”

Source: Red Bull Air Race.com