Red Bull Air Race Rotterdam - the Netherlands 2005
American Mike Mungo Mangold produced two superb runs over the Maas River to dominate the Rotterdam Air Race and secure first place by a clear eight seconds.
Mangold, who was penalty-free in all of his outings on Sunday, posted a combined time of 03:05.78 in his Edge 540 to finish ahead of second-placed Klaus Schrodt of Germany and Hungarian Peter Besenyei in third.
Just to hammer home his supremacy in front of crowds exceeding 700,000, the 50-year-old from California saved his fastest for last, as he completed Round 2 in an event-best 01:31.64.
I managed to get a fast start under the bridge and I also used the weather conditions to my advantage, explained Mangold, winner in Reno last year and third in the season-opening Abu Dhabi Air Race two months ago.
The weather conditions were ideal a little cool with some wind, which allowed me to pick a pretty good line through the course. I am very happy with that last run, when I got it up to 11G.
It?s a fantastic course and great to see so many people turn out to watch. I could feel the vibe of the crowds from the plane. Schrodt, the oldest competitor in the World Series, finished with a combined time of 03:14.18, while Besenyei, winner in Abu Dhabi, posted 03:15.73.
The next fastest single run of the day came from Mangold compatriot Kirby Chambliss, who posted 01:35.01 in the opening round also in an Edge 540.
But Chambliss, who was lying second after Round 1, saw his chances of a podium finish disappear when he picked up a three-second penalty for touching a gate with his wing. The American had to settle for fourth spot less than two seconds behind Besenyei.
