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Australia’s Matt Hall Wins Spielberg Red Bull Air Race

First ever race win for Australian pilot.

Winds were high on the Styrian mountain track Sunday, as pilots raced along the circuit in Spielberg, Austria, for another installment of the Red Bull Air Race.

Australian Matt Hall celebrated his first-ever win in his Red Bull Air Race career, putting significant pressure on Britain’s Paul Bonhomme, who had been on track for a fourth consecutive win. Bonhomme, who claimed second, was off to a perfect start at 198.42 kts through first set of pylons. Bonhomme maintained speed throughout the first three quarters of the track, but Hall stormed the Finish Gate, pulling the lead.

Claiming third place was American pilot Kirby Chambliss, who had his strongest finish in his three seasons. Chambliss hadn’t been on the podium since the New York race in 2010. It’s possible the U.S. could have claimed another spot in the final four, according Michael Goulian, who placed seventh. In a Facebook post, Goulian explained he went into the track 20 kts slower due to an electronic failure. In the end, Martin Sonka of the Czech Republic landed in fourth.

Hall earned 12 maximum World Championship points, placing him just five points behind Bonhomme as they approach the final two races. The competition moves to North America this month for races in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 26-27, and the season finale in Las Vegas, October 17-18.

Check out some of the race’s highlights in the video below.

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