Australia’s Matt Hall laid down a scorching time of 53.642 seconds in the Final 4 of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship stop at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz on Sunday, and with everything hinging on the final pilot to fly, Germany’s own Matthias Dolderer, it was hard to hear the raceplanes over the home crowd’s cheers of encouragement. Although the German flew his heart out, his 54.417-second effort was only good enough for second – leaving fans breathless with anticipation as Dolderer and Hall are now first and second in the World Championship standings. Pete McLeod of Canada earned his first race podium of the season, placing third.
It was the second consecutive 1-2 finish for Hall and Dolderer, and the Australian is whittling away at the overall lead that his German opponent has held since April. The result bounced Hall, who finished second on the World Championship podium in 2015, just ahead of 2008 World Champion Hannes Arch on the leaderboard, and while neither pilot can overtake Dolderer’s substantial points advantage in a single race alone, there are two stops left in the season. The drama will commence with the Red Bull Air Race debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, followed by the season final in Las Vegas; and American Kirby Chambliss, currently at fourth overall, is also looking to make a move in his home races.
“This track did suit our style, but the happiest thing is that we’re in a groove again. So the plan is 'no mistakes and always fast,’” said Hall. “I’ve got nothing to lose: I’ve been second in the World Championship before and I’ve raced right to the wire in Las Vegas before – Matthias hasn’t. We’ll just take it one race at a time and see what happens.”
In the Challenger Class race earlier on Sunday, Germany’s own Florian Bergér wowed the fans at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz by claiming his first home win.
Tickets for the next stop in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, its debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Oct. 1-2, are on sale now at IMS.com. For more information and all the latest news, visit www.redbullairrace.com.
Results Master Class EuroSpeedway Lausitz: 1. Matt Hall (AUS), 2. Matthias Dolderer (GER), 3. Pete McLeod (CAN), 4. Martin Sonka (CZE), 5. Hannes Arch (AUT), 6. Michael Goulian (USA), 7. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA), 8. Kirby Chambliss (USA), 9. Juan Velarde (ESP), 10. Nigel Lamb (GBR), 11. Petr Kopfstein (CZE), 12. François Le Vot (FRA), 13. Peter Podlunšek (SLO), 14. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN).
Australia's Hall Wins for Second Time In a Row in Germany
Australia’s Matt Hall laid down a scorching time of 53.642 seconds in the Final 4 of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship stop at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz on Sunday, and with everything hinging on the final pilot to fly, Germany’s own Matthias Dolderer, it was hard to hear the raceplanes over the home crowd’s cheers of encouragement. Although the German flew his heart out, his 54.417-second effort was only good enough for second – leaving fans breathless with anticipation as Dolderer and Hall are now first and second in the World Championship standings. Pete McLeod of Canada earned his first race podium of the season, placing third.
Latest News
View All News
McIntosh Drives From Deep in Field To Become First Two-Time BC39 Winner
The Oklahoma driver (photo) earned his second straight BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors victory after starting 19th in the 24-car field.
Grant Hangs on to Win Sizzling Feature to Open BC39 at IMS
California driver Justin Grant held off Gavin Miller and Kyle Cummins to win the 30-lap NOS Energy Drink USAC Midget National Championship feature at The Dirt Track at IMS.
Dirt Track Racing 101: Understanding the BC39 Event Format
The BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors will feature a new two-night format for USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship competitors on July 1-2 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.