After 10 years with the spectacular air show scalaria air challenge, the new masterpiece continues the scalaria success story. The exclusive event provided an extraordinary fusion of a huge theatric staging, live music, and coordinated air activities. In addition, the event was used as a premium business forum.
Hannes and his team were deeply impressed by the great show. “I’m proud to be part of scalaria symphony. I’m looking forward to another jaw-dropping show next year”, the former Red Bull Air Race world champion whose spectacular LED air show was the highlight of the evening stated.

As in 2015, this year’s 2^nd season half of the Red Bull Air Race world championship will be held over the famous Ascot race course west of the metropolis of London. When it comes to the world championship lead, nothing will change at the moment, because after race in Budapest, which had to be cancelled before the final round due to weather conditions, Matthias Dolderer (GER) had a 15 point lead over Hannes Arch. Even with a race with no points and a victory by the Austrian, the German can’t be ousted from the top spot for the time being. However, it is a different story for those ranked behind him. No fewer than 6 pilots are within only 8 points of one another. It is inevitable that these pilots will be jockeying for position.

2008 Red Bull Air Race Worldchampion Hannes Arch is perfectly prepared and has kept in shape. He has flown in a few air shows for g-force training, and he has completed many helicopter transport flights in Switzerland to improve concentration and coordination and gain even more experience. He would like to use his abilities for future charity projects such as the building of schools and hospitals in the Himalayas. “I love flying in the mountains no matter whether it’s in a helicopter, for air shows, or with a paraglider”, said Hannes Arch in expressing his excitement. At Ascot, he still has some unfinished business to take care of and wants to really fly high this time. So far, he has been unlucky on the British Isles. In 2014, there was a misunderstanding on the radio with the race director regarding “smoke on/off”, and in 2015, his plane simply didn’t want to start before the Round of 8: “Last year, I beat Paul (Bonhomme) by almost one second before the Round of 8. The logical conclusion is: I am fast in Ascot, and I like the track. This year, we must have contingency plans and be absolutely certain that the machine is in perfect condition”, so a very focused Hannes Arch.

World Championship overall rankings 2016 (after 4 of 8 races):
1. Matthias Dolderer (GER, 41.25 points), 2. Hannes Arch (AUT, 26), 3. Kirby Chambliss (USA, 25.25), 4. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN, 22.50), 5. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA, 22). 6. Nigel Lamb (GBR, 19.75), 7. Matt Hall (AUS, 18.75), 8. Martin Sonka (CZE, 14), 9. Pete McLeod (CAN, 12.50), 10. Francois LeVot (FRA, 10), 11. Juan Velarde (ESP, 9.25), 12. Michael Goulian (USA, 6.75), 13. Peter Podlunsek (SLO, 3), 14. Petr Kopfstein (CZE, 2);

Difficult conditions at first knockout round. After the qualification had to be cancelled on Saturday, the 14 best pilots in the world had to master the challenging racetrack on Sunday. Due to the high water level of Danube River, the track had to be erected upstream the world-famous Chain Bridge instead of downstream as originally planned. Fired up by lots of waterproof fans, Styrian pilot Hannes Arch beat Francois LeVot (FRA) at the “Round of 14” after the French pilot had exceeded the G-force limit. Nigel Lamb (GBR), Matt Hall, and Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA) also qualified for the next round. After a short bad-weather break, Matthias Dolderer, Kirby Chambliss (USA), as well as “fastest loser” and winner of the Chiba stage, Yoshihide Muroya (JPN), joined them in the “Round of 8”.

 Bad weather inhibited finals. Despite the incalculable weather, the exciting competition could be continued with the “Round of 8”. In an impressive run, Hannes Arch defeated 2014 world champion, Nigel Lamb. In addition, Matt Hall, Kirby Chambliss, and Matthias Dolderer qualified for the final round. As a massive storm was approaching, the organizers had to cancel the finals though and the results of the Round of 8 counted for the final ranking. It was a German-Austrian déjà vu as Dolderer had already won the Spielberg stage ahead of Arch. Matt Hall and Kirby Chambliss took ranks 3 and 4. “I’m really thankful to be on the podium again. Budapest is something like a home race for me. I love to fly over Danube River and between these beautiful buildings. I really pushed the envelope. My team and me gave everything. We’re very proud to have such a great result again. But it was a tough race, the conditions were really difficult,” the Austrian said after the race.

Results Red Bull Air Race Budapest 2016

1.     Matthias Dolderer (GER)               00:58.653

2.     Hannes Arch (AUT)                      00:58.943

3.     Matt Hall (AUS)                           00:59.236

4.     Kirby Chambliss                          00:59.456

Red Bull Air Race 2016 Overall Ranking (after 4 of 8 races): 
1. Matthias Dolderer (GER, 41.25 points), 2. Hannes Arch (AUT, 26), 3. Kirby Chambliss (USA, 25.25), 4. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN, 22.50), 5. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA, 22). 6. Nigel Lamb (GBR, 19.75), 7. Matt Hall (AUS, 18.75), 8. Martin Sonka (CZE, 14), 9. Pete McLeod (CAN, 12.50), 10. Francois LeVot (FRA, 10), 11. Juan Velarde (ESP, 9.25), 12. Michael Goulian (USA, 6.75), 13. Peter Podlunsek (SLO, 3), 14. Petr Kopfstein (CZE, 2)

Besides flying, 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Champion Hannes Arch loves a lot of other extreme sports including paragliding, mountaineering, sport climbing, and B.A.S.E. jumping. On August 20^th, 2016, he will deliver a fantastic air show electrifying flying and adrenaline enthusiasts as well as families with his jaw-dropping manoeuvres. Hannes Arch and the Flying Bulls Czech Aerobatics Team will be one of the absolute highlights of the 3-day SPORTFEST celebrating the summer season at x-bionic® sphere.

The unique training facilities of the huge multifunctional sports complex excite professional athletes from all over the world, including Hannes Arch. x-bionic® sphere offers him the perfect infrastructure to prepare for the upcoming stages of the ultimate motorsport series in the sky. Especially in the run-up to the Red Bull Air Race Budapest, one of his favourite races, he will use the facilities for extensive training and regeneration units. A mix of cardio, strength and regeneration training helps the Red Bull Air Race World Champion not only dealing with the heat during the race but also getting his mind free and staying focused.

The pilot from Styria is thrilled about the new cooperation and the resulting options for both sides: “x-bionic sphere in Šamorín is really outstanding. With his passion, the author of the idea of of x-bionic® sphere Mario Hoffmann has created the most perfect training and relaxation location in Europe. I’m looking forward to this cool partnership as well as many inspiring and pleasant stays,” Hannes Arch said.

About x-bionic® sphere

x-bionic® sphere is a place that unites sport, relax and innovation, which are brought to you in cooperation with a global sport brand of top quality, X-BIONIC®. This unique and multifunctional complex, which is a paradise for demanding visitors, professional athletes, sports enthusiasts, families, as well as for people who like health and wellness, is unparalleled in the world. It is situated in the vicinity of Bratislava and Vienna and has some of the best training facilities in the world. x-bionic® sphere provides professional conditions for 27 Olympic sport disciplines, including one of the most modern and biggest Olympic equestrian centers, not to mention the excellent X-BIONIC® HOTEL and congress centers.

Home favorite Yoshihide Muroya had the best handle on the wind as well as a course that was on the open sea. He celebrated a sensational home victory and the first of his career! On race-Sunday alone, over 50,000 Japanese fans were able to celebrate the triumph of their local hero in this, the ultimate motorsports series in aviation!

Hannes Arch was “too fast”. For Hannes Arch, the “Round of 8” was virtually over before it even began. Pushing the limits, the Austrian flew a tad too fast into the course and was docked a one-second penalty for passing through the start gate at too high a speed.

“A little mistake with big consequences. Generally speaking, we had very little track- and training time due to qualifying having to be called off on Saturday. Which meant, we weren’t able to do everything exactly as we’d originally planned. The preparation time was simply too limited. You could also see that in the fact that all of the pilots with make-up training runs today were very fast. In the “Round of 8”, I could have flown with more self-confidence, though my coolness on the track was ok. Our plane is very fast, the team works extraordinarily well together, and the World Championship is more open and exciting than ever before. Everything is possible. I am totally motivated and already looking forward to Budapest”, says Hannes Arch.