Kirby's course correction brings victory

Fifth, third, first: in the first three Red Bull Air Races of the year Kirby Chambliss has steadily climbed to greater heights.

Right after the initial shock, Paul Bonhomme was back to his old, easy-going, poised and controlled self. "I don’t know exactly what went wrong," he commented on having been beaten for the first time this year. "But it was no doubt good and healthy for the contest." The fact that it wasn’t his arch rival Mike Mangold who fought back, but Kirby Chambliss who found his old form in Detroit, must have doubly unsettled Bonhomme. Because now he has to keep at bay two rivals who know how to win the World Series. Furthermore, Chambliss’ development throughout the current season suggests that his victory won’t be a one-off.

Only five points behind Bonhomme

"Of course I’m happy to have beaten Paul," Kirby Chambliss said. "But I won’t be happy until I have beaten him in more races than he beat me." The 48-year-old Texan is currently equal with Mike Mangold and Hannes Arch, each five points behind Bonhomme. Chambliss, however, has continually improved from race to race. In Abu Dhabi he was back in fifth place; in San Diego he made it to third. At the most recent race, the Red Bull Air Race in Detroit, he improved by two places again, and won.

Unsuccessful year as title defender

This time last year things looked less rosy for Chambliss. The overall winner 2006 seemed to have suddenly lost the skill of flying. He had to wait until June for his first podium – totalling only three in 2007. Instead, he was penalised ten times, once even being disqualified. Chambliss’ win in Detroit is his first since October 7, 2006, in San Francisco.

Tuning – more stop than go

"In spring 2007 we made a few changes to the plane," said the American. "Among other things, we installed new wings, but they turned out to hamper us more than they helped. Because we were mainly in Europe, it was almost impossible to make major corrections to the plane." It seems they’ve done a better job this year. The next stop is Stockholm. The first Red Bull Air Race ever to be held in Sweden will take place on July 5 and 6.