Air Racing
The Tech Behind Red Bull Air Race Pylons
Learn the secret behind the course markers for the fastest racing series on Earth.
Hannes Arch tears through a pylon in practice
© Sebastian Marko / Red Bull Air Race
When it comes to motorsports racing, no series stands apart more than the Red Bull Air Race World Championships. Aside from it being the fastest racing series on the planet, with sustained speeds of 230 mph, Air Race is also one of the most technically advanced competitive disciplines. Not only are the aircraft some of the most advanced single-prop planes in the skies, the course markers are a technological achievement, too.
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The Tech Behind Pylons in Red Bull Air Race
One of the key elements of Red Bull Air Race is the technology and on hand support for the pylons.
Made with a special lightweight nylon, the pylons for Red Bull Air Race are designed with maximum safety and efficiency in mind. While they define the course, they are not there to get in the way; quite the opposite actually.
If a plane makes contact with a pylon, it is designed to breakaway or tear, with the air-pressurized structure falling away immediately. From there a specialized team kicks into action, and the ensuing few minutes are poetry in motion, not unlike watching a Formula 1 team perform a pit stop.
The Red Bull Air Race team races to repair a pylon
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
With Red Bull Air Race hitting its series finale this weekend in Las Vegas, the championship has come down to the UK’s Paul Bonhomme holding a narrow 8-point margin over Australian ace Matt Hall.
Get caught up on the previous round from Fort Worth.
Catch Red Bull Air Race Las Vegas LIVE on FS1 beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct 18. For more information, tickets and more head over to redbullairrace.com.