Capital Air Race set to draw 200,000

Organisers estimate that about 200,000 spectators will attend the opening round of this year's Red Bull Air Race Championship in Abu Dhabi, where 15 of the world's top pilots will vie for starter points glory.

Alberto Chahoud, Area Communications Manager, Middle East and Africa, at Red Bull, told Emirates Business that last year's event attracted 150,000 people. He said exact numbers were difficult to obtain because the event is open to the public and spectators gather on the city's corniche.

"Clearly, motorsports are hugely appealing to people in the UAE and all over the region, with tourists flying in to attend the event."

This year's contest, on March 26 and 27, is the first of a year-round, eight-leg race. It forms the centerpiece of a community-style festival with air shows, special encounters with the pilots, aircraft displays, concerts and family activities as well as live broadcasts from Port Zayed, home to the Red Bull Air Race temporary airport.

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