The exhilarating Red Bull Air Race is back for a second year on 2 & 3 August. The world’s most daring and talented pilots will race just metres above the River Thames competing against the clock. 

The pilots have to execute tight turns through a slalom course consisting of specially designed pylons. These races are based on speed, precision and skill, and planes fly at speeds reaching close to 250mph.

British pilots Paul Bonhomme, Steve Jones and Nigel Lamb will once again be competing in all the races, which make up the Red Bull Air Race World Series in 2008.

Bonhomme came 2nd in the overall standings in 2007 and will be aiming to go one better this year. “The aircraft that I’m flying today is a real feat of engineering given that it was built in the 1940s. It’s an absolute pleasure and privilege to fly,” he says.

Once again, ticketed spectators will be able to view the action from the banks of the Thames. Tickets are available here

The World Series will visit 10 international locations this year (see calendar below), but if you can’t make it, the Red Bull Air Race World Series will be broadcast on Channel 4. Viewers can catch an hour of racing action at 1pm on Saturdays.  (Joanna Stevens)

Red Bull Air Race World Series 2008 – Race Calendar
1.       Abu Dhabi, UAE                10 & 11 April
2.       San Diego, USA                3 & 4 May
3.       Detroit, USA                     31 May & 1 June 
4.       Rotterdam, NED                19 & 20 July
5.       London, GBR                    2 & 3 August
6.       Budapest, HUN                 19 & 20 August
7.       Porto, POR                       6 & 7 September
8.       TBA, ESP                         27 & 28 September
9.       Perth, AUS                       1 & 2 November