Forget F1, Mumbai may see an air race

ISTANBUL, May 31: If the monumental logistics involved in Formula One is causing Bernie Ecclestone to take ages to sell the F-1 dream to India, the dream itself could be hijacked by the Re Bull Air Race World Series for the simple reason that while being an equally exciting event, an air race is far less complicated and relatively inexpensive.
The fact that an air race does not require a track unlike in Formula One makes it highly appealing to even smaller nations that cannot invest huge amounts in locked up capital.This precisely is the reason for the rapid growth of Red Bull Air Race World Series which began just three years ago with a mere four races. That it is a 12-race extravaganza now underlines its growing popularity and wide acceptance.
Istanbul — where the fourth race of the current series is to be held on June 2 — provides a perfect example of how even cities with little sports infrastructure can host a world-class event.
The course will be positioned along the horn-shaped Golden Horn estuary near the Bosphorus Strait that connects Asia with Europe. The course will be laid out in the shape of Spanish 8 by erecting Air Gates in through which pilots have fly their craft not just to attain high speeds but avoid technical flaws.
While erecting air gates hardly involves any cost, the real expenditure in hosting an air race involves transportation of equipment, pilots and personnel, setting up a temporary airstrip in the absence of one nearby, setting up of hangars, accommodation to the race officials, pilots and their support staff.
With such logistics involved, it will not be difficult for a city like Mumbai to host an air race. With the picturesque Marine Drive serving as the grandstand for spectators and the well-equipped Juhu airstrip to make use of and the world-class hotel accommodation available for the participants and officials at close locations, Mumbai emerges as one of the front-runners to host an air race provided the organisers of the sport find financial, logistical as well as spectator support in India.
With Maharashtra being a strong bidder for the Formula One race track along with a couple of other Indian cities, there is obviously great potential for such an event to be organised there.
There being competition among teams as in F1 with as many as seven in fray Red Bull, Cobra, Matodor, Breitling, Mediterranean Racing, Dragon Racing, Lobo with each team having two representatives in the race, there is bound to be fierce competition and also sponsor interest.
All this points to a successful association should the air race come to India.