Red Bull gives Abu Dhabi wings
American pilot Mike Goulian ends nine-year wait for a victory as he beats favourites to top the leader board after the first race of the series kicks of exciting season for the Red Bull Air Race world championship series
Mike Goulian had a feeling he would do well in yesterday’s Red Bull Air Race master class in Abu Dhabi but he didn’t want to get too carried away as it had been nine years since he claimed the podium top spot.
The American’s strategy paid off as he took first place in the season opener in the skies above the Corniche, wrapping up a weekend of high-calibre racing.
“It’s been a long time coming to get that second win, but it feels great. I was very fast all week and very consistent,” said Goulian after his victory. “I had a feeling we would do well today, but I didn’t want to put the cart in front of the horse.”
Japan’s Yoshihide Muroya was a very close second, clocking just three hundredths of a second behind Goulian’s winning time of 53.695. The Czech Martin Sonka finished third.
Muroya, who recorded his first second place finish, had been one of the pre-race favourites along with Germany’s Matthias Dolderer and Kirby Chambliss, from the US who finished fourth.
“It’s not really where I wanted to be ... maybe I played too safe, maybe we should’ve gone all out and next time I’ll try that,” said Chambliss.
Dolderer had a very quick qualifying session but was disappointed after only coming in 13th.
“For at least two more races I will be motivated, but if I don’t do well then I will lose that motivation,” he said.
In a day of full-blooded racing the starting field of 14 master class pilots was whittled down to a final four match-up.
Earlier in the day, Florian Berger of Germany had come out on top in the challenger cup. In a moment of high drama during the challenger cup competition, Sweden’s Daniel Ryfa hit a pylon, knocking him from what was shaping up to be a leading lap time to fifth place.
The competition now moves on to France, where it will be held in Cannes on April 21 and 22.
Goulian now tops the leader board with 15 points.
“We want to be consistent now and we want to win races, but our aim is make the Final 4, get the points and be in the challenge for the World Championship,” he said.