What Does 2009 Hold For Air Racing's Experienced Pilots? Pt. 3: Positions 1-4

In Part III of air racing’s 2008 pilot review and what to expect for 2009, I look at the top four pilots of last year’s Red Bull Air Race series.

Part I of the series talked about the bottom third while Part II talked about the mid-field.

So without further ado, I will take a look at Mike Mangold, Kirby Chambliss, Paul Bonhomme and Hannes Arch.

Mike Mangold (USA)

• 2008 Position: Fourth (44 points)
• 2008 Race Number: 1 (No. 11 for 2009)
• 2008 Aircraft: Edge 540
• 2009 Aircraft: Edge 540
• 2008 Status: Fifth year in the Red Bull Air Race

Mike Mangold was a double Red Bull Air Race World Champion, the first pilot to be in that position since the air race became a world series by winning the championship in 2005 and 2007.

In 2008, Mangold just could not defend his title. While Paul Bonhomme, Kirby Chambliss and Hannes Arch were fighting for wins, Mangold was caught in the dust and just could not keep up—a big change from 2007 when he was in the fray fighting with Bonhomme.

Even with his inability to keep up, Mangold still had high spirits when talking with reporters and others. He only really lost his temper after a mistake by his mechanic Dennis Sawyer barely got him qualified inside of the top eight in the fifth round in London. Apart from that, he’s been a top bloke!

With Dennis Sawyer gone to work with Australian rookie Matt Hall, Mike Mangold could have a harder time to compete for the top spot. Then again, maybe 2009 is for him to rebuild and become a stronger pilot with a stronger team than before.

Kirby Chambliss (USA)

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