TUNISIA-AIR RACE Pilots take to the skies in Tunisia Air Race 1

Record ID: 150423

  • Title: TUNISIA-AIR RACE Pilots take to the skies in Tunisia Air Race 1
  • Date: 8th June 2015
  • Summary: MONASTIR, TUNISIA (JUNE 8, 2015) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) AIR RACE 1M, OFFICIAL SAYING: ''This is a very very historic moment for us, for us, for our organization but also for the sport of Formula 1 air racing and in fact for air sports in general. This was the first time in the history of the whole African continent plus the region and beyond where we had a Formula
  • Embargoed: 23rd June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Tunisia
  • Country: Tunisia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAAAURZDW6T7F9D0O6OU6PVMZ6D
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: History has been made in Tunisia, as the north African state hosted the Air Race 1 on Sunday (June 7).
    The aerial race took place in the resort coastal city of Monastir.
    Scores of people watched the race at the Monastir International Airport, as pilots took to the air navigating their way round the circuit.
    One of the event officials praised the success of the event.
    ''This is a very very historic moment for us, for us, for our organization but also for the sport of Formula 1 air racing and in fact for air sports in general. This was the first time in the history of the whole African continent plus the region and beyond where we had a Formula One class of airplane race. So this has been an excellent historic moment, not only for Tunisians but for us as well and our pilots and athletes who come over here had the absolute thrill of a lifetime,'' said the official.
    The race itself takes place in the same venue, with eight aircrafts racing against each other at the same time. Each pilot needs to race around 10 laps, with each lap being five kilometres.
    Aircrafts can reach speeds of more than 450kph.
    Scores of spectators from Tunisia and abroad came to watch the event.
    ''Outstanding! We had a lot of fun, it was cool, people were kind. This is an unexpected event here, it's been a long time since I've watched an event like this,'' said one spectator from France.
    "The atmosphere is lively, a safe place, people are having fun. We have a need for such events in Tunisia. Apart from that it's a nice event. This is the first time such event is held. Actually there is no place for sitting and we had trouble to see the planes. However, for a first time, it's a good trial. This event will be encouraging for other people to do such things in Tunisia,'' added another spectator from Tunisia.
    Thom Richard was Sunday's winning pilot, the Swedish pilot flew to victory in his plane 'Hot Stuff' reaching an average speed of 373.08kph.
    The next phase of the Air Race 1 race will be in Spain's Lleida on June 28.
    According to the official Air Race 1 website, it is the 'first official series of formula one air racing in the 70-year history of the sport.'
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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