Red Bull Releases 2017 Air Race World Championship Schedule

German pilot Matthias Dolderer competes at last year’s season opener in Abu Dhabi. Red Bull

The schedule for the 2017 Red Bull Air Race season has been released, and this year’s tour stops feature a brand-new venue in Russia as well as an old U.S. favorite.

The eight-race season kicks off February 10 in Abu Dhabi, which has hosted the season opener for the past nine seasons. Next, on April 15, the tour visits San Diego, a stop made popular when it hosted races during three consecutive seasons from 2007-2009.

Later in the summer, the Air Race will make its debut in Kazan, a city known as the sports capital of Russia.

It all comes to a head in Indianapolis, with the final 2017 World Championship race and crowning of the overall winner on October 14-15 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I can’t remember when I’ve been so excited about a season. The calendar goes from strength to strength, with every stop holding special significance as either a landmark location in the sport’s history or a premiere in a dramatic new setting. We’re especially thrilled to bring high-speed, low-altitude racing to a new audience in Russia,” said Erich Wolf, general manager of Red Bull Air Race GmbH.

Below is the full calendar of stops along the World Championship tour:

Abu Dhabi — February 10-11

San Diego — April 15-16

Chiba, Japan — June 3-4

Budapest, Hungary — July 1-2

Kazan, Russia — July 22-23

TBA, Europe — August 12-13

TBA, Europe — September 2-3

Indianapolis — October 14-15

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