World Championship Air Race (WCAR) has agreed an exclusive partnership with FAI to stage an international series of air race festivals when the Series makes its debut in the first quarter of 2022.

The 15-year agreement will see the World Air Sports governing body provide oversight of rules and contribute to the safety oversight for the new series, while granting WCAR exclusive staging rights on a range of piloted air vehicle classifications flown on air-gate courses, enabling the United Kingdom head-quartered event series to redefine the future of air racing.

David Monks, President of FAI, said: “FAI is pleased to give formal recognition to the World Championship Air Race series, providing it with expertise in supervising aspects of safety and sporting governance while sharing its exciting vision to educate, inspire and encourage the next generation of aviators.”

Building on the legacy of the hugely popular Red Bull Air Race, the World Championship Air Race will use the experience its production team and competitors gained from their involvement in over 90 races in 34 different cities around the world, not only to bring back the fastest motorsport series on the planet, but create a showcase for the future of aviation, urban air mobility and sustainably powered, clean technology.  With a commitment to innovation, education and environmental sustainability, WCAR will launch the 2022 season with conventionally powered, legacy race-planes, while working with aerospace partners to embrace the latest advancements in aviation technology. The Series will rapidly evolve its race aircraft through the staged introduction of sustainable fuels, electric drivetrains and electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) race-craft from Season 3.

Willie Cruickshank, WCAR Race Series Director, said: “We are delighted to announce this exciting new agreement between the FAI and World Championship Air Race to bring city-centre air-racing back to the public. In addition to creating a highly competitive championship for spectators around the world to enjoy, we share a common purpose to develop and demonstrate the future of green aviation and urban air mobility in a demanding and highly competitive environment. 

“World Championship Air Race now has the commitment from the best race pilots in the world, flying the best aircraft, under the exclusive jurisdiction of the world governing body, putting us in a very strong position as we build towards Season 1 which we plan to debut in early 2022.”