Aero GP Race Winner in Abu Dhabi 2009

Rosanagh very kindly covered the race for us as you can see from this picture over the desert it looked quite spectacular.

AERO GP ACE ZOLTAN VERES SNATCHES VICTORY IN THRILLING ABU DHABI FINALE

Hungarian flying sensation Zoltan Veres showed impressive speed and skill to win today's Aero GP finale in front of an incredible 60,000 aviation fans in the first race of the season at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show, Abu Dhabi.

The nail-biting action lived up to its headline billing as three Aero GP pilots; Veres (HUN), Gerald Cooper (GBR) and Mark Jefferies (GBR), held joint lead going into the final air race with everything to play for, after the other diverse disciplines of Air Racing, Air Combat and precision Target Dropping.

Forty-six year-old Veres claimed victory in both the Air Combat and Air Racing elements using the superior horsepower of his MXS plane to vanquish his rivals, even lapping the entire field during the race! The Hungarian did not have it all his own way as British pilot Cooper took victory in the Target Dropping competition with a spectacular vertical dive, producing a strike just twelve metres from the bullseye while Veres finished third some 38 metres off target. Cooper's luck ran dry during the other events however, finishing overall third in Air Combat and fourth in the Air Race.

British contender Andy Bickmore had a disappointing finish to his race weekend after suffering undercarriage damage, sidelining him from the competition.

Zoltan Veres said after his historic win; "I love this race and I have to thank my aircraft for giving me the power to win. We feel this has been a very successful event as Aero GP here for first time in the Middle East and look forward to returning soon."

Jeff Zaltman, Managing Director of Aero GP, commented, "This is an historic occasion for air racing, air sport and Aero GP. We're very proud of our pilots who have fought competitively and safely, the fans seemed to have loved it and that makes it all seem so worthwhile. Our thanks go out to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Al Ain Aerobatic show for being such perfect hosts."

Aero GP are hoping to bring this race back to Britain either at the end of the year or 2010. And if it's near enough I know that Naomi would thoroughly enjoy it as she loved all sorts of aircraft and collecting books on them.