Cars

What do champion pilots fly?

This two-seat Red Bull Air Race practice plane is a lightweight, 300-horsepower scream machine.

Emme Hall

I love two-seater, RWD convertibles and own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for pavement fun and a lifted 2001 Miata for pre-running. I race air-cooled Volkswagens in desert races like the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000. I have won the Rebelle Rally, seven-day navigational challenge, twice and I am the only driver to compete in an EV, the Rivian R1T.

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Emme Hall

Sept. 9, 2016 6:00 a.m. PT

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Just doing some acrobatics in a plane. NBD.

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Piloted by champion pilot Kirby Chambliss, this two-seat practice plane weighs less than 1,500 pounds.

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It can do some pretty amazing maneuvers.

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On our way to flying upside down.

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The Red Bull Air Race series pits 14 master pilots against each other over a 6-kilometer racetrack.

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Pilots must fly at high speed and low altitude, maneuvering their planes through a series of air gates.

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The planes fly through chicanes and pull up to 10g on the course, making for a heart-pounding race.

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Kirby Chambliss has two Red Bull Air Race World Titles and eight race victories in the series, which puts him in a tie for third on the all-time wins list.