Red Bull Air Race Cancelled, Perth Included

If you were planning on heading to Perth for the Red Bull Air Race in 2011, you’d better check out all the other good reasons I’ve got to visit Perth – because the Red Bull Air Race has been cancelled. Apparently the entire event has been put on hold worldwide and it will leave Perth with $20 million less in tourist revenue.

I’ve only got down into to central Perth to see the Red Bull Air Race once since we’ve hosted it, and that was three or four years ago, and perhaps it’s just my lack of interest in planes that meant I really couldn’t see the attraction – but mostly I think it was one of those events that actually looks more impressive on TV than in real life, where you can’t really get an overview of what’s going on.

And while most people associated with bringing tourists to Perth are saying it’s a pity to lose such a high profile event, but “such is life”, the comments from the Eventscorp director David van Ooren amused me:

“We were looking forward to next year’s event, absolutely,” he said.

“It is ironic the last event was the strongest of all four events we have hosted. The crash into the Swan River really put us on the map.”

I’m not sure if it’s politically correct to be pleased about a crash, even if the pilot wasn’t seriously injured! In any case, the whole event is apparently on hold while they develop a safer system so it may well be back in 2012, and it may be in Perth again. Watch this space!

[Photo courtesy of Hamedog]