Red Bull Air Race series heads to Indy for 2016

The Red Bull Air Race series, an 8-round international competition of speed and aerobatics, will have its final two events in North America next year – including the first-ever air race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Planes will fly at high speed and low altitude around IMS, in between inflatable pylons, that make up an aerial track around which pilots negotiate a combination of high-speed, low-altitude and extreme maneuverability challenges in the fastest possible time, incurring as few penalties as possible. The standardized propulsion package – a high-performance, race-tuned standardized engine and standardized propellers – remains for 2015. Competitors regularly reach speeds of nearly 230mph.

Each Red Bull Air Race consists of the following flying sessions: Training, Qualifying, Round of 14, Round of 8 and Final 4. In all sessions, only one pilot races at a time.

Practice at IMS will take place on Sept. 29-30, followed by a single day dedicated to two qualifying competitions on Oct 1. Race Day on Oct. 2 will consist of Round of 14, Round of 8 and Final 4 competitions.

After the Indy round, the season finale is set for on Oct. 15-16 in Las Vegas, Nev., where the new Air Race World Champion will be crowned at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"We look forward to bringing the race closer to even more fans in 2016, and it will be a privilege to share our sport at two more locations that are rich with motorsport history," said Erich Wolf, general manager of Red Bull Air Race GmbH. "The pilots and teams are already hard at work on technical innovations and strategic plans, and the races at all eight stops promise to be faster and more competitive than ever. The year ahead should be thrilling for spectators and competitors alike."