Abu Dhabi 2009 Race Review, Red Bull Air Race

Hannes Arch of Austria came from behind to win the first Red Bull Air Race World Championship race of the year in Abu Dhabi on Saturday with a scintillating triumph over Britains Paul Bonhomme on a sizzling hot day in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Nicolas Ivanoff of France stormed onto the podium with third place while Britains Nigel Lamb established himself as a force to be reckoned with this year, taking fourth. Australias Matt Hall, one of four rookies in the championship this year, had an outstanding performance in his very first race, grabbing a sensational fifth place on the challenging 6.6-km course of Air Gates set up just above the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. Arch, the defending world champion, saved his best for last, blazing to victory to the delight of the large crowd of spectators watching from the rim of the Corniche with a stunning time of 1:24.60 - a full 0.89 seconds faster than Bonhommes outstanding effort just moments earlier. Arch had stumbled in the Super 8 session and only just qualified for the Final 4 in fourth place. Arch, who also collected one championship point with his victory in Fridays Qualifying session, then opened up his throttle in the final on a day when temperatures hit 40 degrees Celsius to pick up the 12 points. He will take a three-point lead over Bonhomme (10 points) to the next race in San Diego. http://www.redbullairrace.com