U-Tapao, Thailand, 19 November, 2017 – The prestigious Air Race 1 World Cup Thailand 2017 Presented by Chang ended with a spectacular closing ceremony, presided over by H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand.
Timothy E Cone from USA was the fastest of this weekend’s international championship air races at U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, which attracted a total of 16 pilots from around the world competing in either gold or silver heats based on the qualifying time. Placed second in the Gold race is Philip Goforth and in third is Justin Phillipson, both are also from USA. In the Silver race, the winners are Swaid Rahn and Chip Mapoles, from USA, and Scott Holmes from Canada.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that this elite international pylon air race marked the 50th anniversary of ASEAN’s founding, and was part of the 10-day International Fleet Review 2017 being held from 13 to 22 November in Pattaya City and Chonburi’s Sattahip District. The event also formed parts of the many international sport events scheduled during the “Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018” campaign.
As the exhilarating, fast-paced aerial action of the Air Race 1 World Cup Thailand 2017 Presented by Chang thrilled the excited spectators at the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, so too is Thailand flying high as it turns in an impressive performance as the event host.
Air Race 1 CEO, Jeff Zaltman, said: “This event in Thailand is considered the biggest of the ‘World Cup’ series, with 16 pilots taking part. Previous events have attracted, on average, 12 pilots. Thailand has shown its readiness and ability to host such an international air racing event and has the integrated sport and tourism facilities, so it’s certainly a sports hub of Asia.”
As venue for the Air Race 1 World Cup Thailand 2017 Presented by Chang, the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield met the necessary criteria, which included stipulations that the event location have space of 2.5 km by 1.4 km in an open area with no public roads or private properties nearby, and facilities-wise there must be emergency services, an operational tower and quality hangar space.
The prestigious Air Race 1 World Cup Thailand 2017 Presented by Chang, on from 17 to 19 November, served up plenty of what’s considered among the fastest, most thrilling motorsports on the planet. Based upon the long-running formula one class of aircraft, Air Race 1 sees the competing airplanes race each other at speeds of more than 450 kilometres per hour, at just 10 metres off the ground!
Zaltman added that, “Thailand also has an excellent strategy to promote this kind of sport in Asia and that’s great for Air Race 1 as we expand our global reach into this region.”
Pilot Thom Richard in #12 ‘Outrageous’ also gave the thumbs up to Thailand as host nation, saying “I’m delighted to be here and am impressed with the organization. It’s proving to be a fantastic experience.”
Also thrilled to be racing in Thailand is the pilot of #15 ‘Last Lap Player’ Ryszard Zadow who said, “It’s my first time in Thailand and this is the race of a lifetime. I’m glad to be a part of this growing sport.”
A Parisian who now calls Bangkok home, Lionel Mougel in #22 ‘Hysteria’ of home team Siam Air Racing is proud to be representing Thailand at the Air Race 1 World Cup Thailand 2017 and hopes to help grow the Thailand team to compete in future Air Race 1 events.
She might not be up in the air racing at breakneck speeds, but Allison Jones has an equally important role on the ground as team engineer for #45 ‘Quadnickel’. Allison’s late father built, engineered and piloted Quadnickel. Her skills and knowledge as an engineer help to keep Quadnickel and pilot thrilling the crowds, and she said, “It’s the adrenaline that entices the pilots to join this sport and put on the breathtaking aerial racing the spectators love to watch.”
