Coulthard to race Red Bull 'plane.
The concept of 'ultimate challenges' between differing categories of race car - or racing machinery in general - is nothing new, but that hasn't stopped David Coulthard from taking up the offer to race both a superbike and a race 'plane around Silverstone.
Put together by mutual sponsor Red Bull, DC will take on BSB star Jonathan Rea's 1000cc Honda and pilot Steve Jones' Extra 300S race aircraft on Monday, in a promotion for the forthcoming Red Bull Air Race round at Longleat, with the Scot determined to prove the F1 is still the king of Silverstone.
The concept of 'ultimate challenges' between differing categories of race car - or racing machinery in general - is nothing new, but that hasn't stopped David Coulthard from taking up the offer to race both a superbike and a race 'plane around Silverstone.
Put together by mutual sponsor Red Bull, DC will take on BSB star Jonathan Rea's 1000cc Honda and pilot Steve Jones' Extra 300S race aircraft on Monday, in a promotion for the forthcoming Red Bull Air Race round at Longleat, with the Scot determined to prove the F1 is still the king of Silverstone.
Pilot, driver and rider will race over one full lap of the British Grand Prix circuit, with all three confident that they have the right equipment to come out on top.
"I've seen what Steve and the other pilots who take part in the Red Bull Air Race World Series are capable of, [and] their speed and precision is breathtaking," Coulthard admitted, "However, I've been racing at Silverstone for years, and know the circuit extremely well, so Steve shouldn't be counting on a win."
Unencumbered by the confines of the road, Jones will still have to follow the outline of the circuit in order to compete, but is confident that his nimble aircraft - built from lightweight carbon fibre, steel tubing and aluminium - has what it takes to beat the F1 machine.
"Everyone knows how well equipped the F1 car and motorbike are to handle the tough corners at Silverstone, but I wanted to prove that air racing can be just as precise," he explained, "We regularly experience forces of up to 10G when rounding pylons during the Red Bull Air Races - which is more than an F1 car. I think people will be surprised at how nimble my plane can be."
Rea, meanwhile, refuses to rule himself out of the mix, despite being overlooked by many as a possible winner.
"This is by no means a two-horse race," the youngster insisted, "I'm quietly confident that my bike will be able to catch Steve and David out on the corners. The bike's been going really well recently, so you shouldn't underestimate the power of two wheels!"
