On this weekend: Red Bull Air Race 2018 in Budapest

Budapest is the spiritual home of the Red Bull Air Race. As one of the most popular stops, the Hungarian capital always pulls in a monumental crowd to witness the racing action. In 2009, 650,000 spectators lined the banks of the Danube, and when the city earned a spot in the 2015 race season, fans returned in their thousands once again.

For this season, it’ll be a summertime spectacle as the pilots head to Hungary on 23-24 June, 2018.

Budapest is a true spectacle on the race calendar due to the unique start for the Master Class pilots. They begin their run into the track by flying under the iconic Chain Bridge – something that must be seen with your own eyes.

Photo: MTI

Split across the Danube, it’s a city of two halves – Buda and Pest. The iconic backdrop of the neogothic Parliament building on the Pest side of the river offers fans a stunning panoramic view of the action. On the Buda side of the city, you’ll find the Statue of Liberty, on top of Gellért Hill, along with the Citadel. This is why Budapest is regularly featured in the Top 10 list of World’s Best Cities.

Schedule

23 June 2018

10:00 Activation Zone Opens
10:50 CHALLENGER CLASS – Free Practice 3
11:10 Side Act – Pal Takats Paramotor
11:50 Side Act – Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team
13:20 MASTER CLASS – Free Practice 3
14:40 Side Act – Peter Besenyei Aerobatic Display
15:00 CHALLENGER CLASS – Qualifying
15:10 Side Act – Jet Pack Man
16:00 MASTER CLASS – Qualifying
17:30 Side Act – Flying Bulls: T28, Alpha Jets, B25
18:00 Activation Zone Closes

24 June 2018

10:00 Activation Zone Opens
10:30 Side Act – Szebi Szóláth Wakeboard
11:00 CHALLENGER CUP
11:10 Side Act – Pal Takats Paramotor
11:40 Side Act – Peter Besenyei Aerobatic Display
12:45 Side Act – Jet Pack Man
12:55 Opening Ceremony
13:00 MASTER CLASS – Round of 14
14:00 Side Act – Flying Bulls: T28, Alpha Jets, B25
14:20 Side Act – Szebi Szóláth Wakeboard
14:30 CHALLENGER CLASS – Prize Giving Ceremony
14:40 Side Act – Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team
15:00 MASTER CLASS – Round of 8
15:30 MASTER CLASS – Final 4
15:55 MASTER CLASS – Prize Giving Ceremony
16:00 Side Act – Jet Pack Man
16:10 Side Act – Boeing C-17 Globemaster Flyby
16:40 Celebration of the Winners
18:00 Activation Zone Closes

Venue

The racetrack in Budapest will span the Danube, making it one of the most unique stops on the calendar. Pilots will kick off each run by flying under the famous Chain Bridge, before flying along the river, navigating the complex aerial course where speed will be a key factor in race success.