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IMS announces air race coming to Indianapolis

Posted at 1:52 PM, Dec 16, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-16 13:52:04-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has added another race to the 2016 docket, but this one is in the skies. 

The Red Bull Air Race will take place Oct. 1-2 at IMS.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said the race will honor Orville and Wilbur Wright.

"In 2016, as we celebrate the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, it's fitting that the world's best pilots will gather at IMS for a breathtaking display of competition and innovation that will honor the legacies of IMS founder Carl Fisher, the Wright brothers and their fellow aviation pioneers," he said in a statement.   

The objective for the air race is to navigate a path with air-filled obstacles as quickly as possible.

Indianapolis will be one of eight locations hosting a championship for the air race. A few of the other locations are Las Vegas, Budapest, Hungary and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

"Red Bull Air Race is looking forward to partnering with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2016 and bringing the race to the fans," Erich Wolf, general manager at Red Bull Air Race said in a statement. "IMS is a perfect location for the Red Bull Air Race due to its motorsport and aviation history and presence and we cannot wait to bring our sport to the skies above the track." 

Competitors reach speeds of 230 mph in the race. 

Tickets are on sale at IMS.com with prices ranging between $25-85 for one-day passes.

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