Red Bull to halt Air Race series as Hong Kong pilot Kenny Chiang triumphs in Kazan, Russia in borrowed gloves and shoes
- The energy drink company says the series has failed to attract enough outside interest after seven seasons
- Chiang says he will ponder his future after his final race in Chiba, Japan in September
His equipment was missing, his future uncertain and the competition tough – but Hong Kong pilot Kenny Chiang overcame one of the most difficult weekends of his career in Kazan, Russia by turning adversity into triumph.
Two weeks ago, Chiang and fellow pilots learned of Red Bull’s decision to discontinue its Air Race series after the 2019 season.
Despite the uncertainty and flying in borrowed gloves and shoes because his luggage failed to arrive in Kazan on time, Chiang still managed to pull off a stunning victory in the first Challenger Class race of the series.
He then finished third in race two for his fifth podium in five straight races. It was also his second career victory after a 2017 win, also in Kazan.
“This is where I had my first win so Kazan and Russia have always been very special to me,” Chiang told the South China Morning Post. “It has been one of the toughest weekends I’ve had in my air race career. I was last in both practices, not feeling comfortable without my own equipment and I’m thankful to the other pilots who loaned me gear, and then I won on Saturday.