American Mike Mangold (Team Cobra) snatched the 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series championship from Britain’s Paul Bonhomme (Team Matador) today after the closest fought title race in the competition’s 4 year history. Mangold, the 2005 champion, came third in Perth putting him on 47 points for the season, equalling Bonhomme’s points total. The Brit finished a disappointing fifth in the last race of the season – his worst result this year and the first time the usually consistent Bonhomme has failed to get on the podium in 2007.
The dramatic end of season showdown was witnessed by more than 200,000 excited fans who lined the banks of the Swan River to watch Nicolas Ivanoff (France/M.R.T.) take advantage of Bonhomme and Mangold’s apparent nerves to take his first victory of the season. In a race which didn’t go to form at all, America’s Mike Goulian took second place on the podium.
The aerial battle through air pylons set up on a slalom course just metres above the surface of the Swan River in the Western Australia city saw the pilots hit speeds of up to 400 km/hour (250 mph) and forces of up to 10G.
For a full run down of the final championship standings and to watch Red Bull Air Race Video Highlight, please visit our Red Bull Air Race Section