Competitive Air Combat Racing Launches Over Europe

Aero GP, a brand new sport featuring 600 kph air racing, precision bombing and air-to-air combat is taking to European skies in May with Slovenia hosting the first event.

Never seen before, Aero GP is a full-blooded battle for air supremacy fought by highly trained military and civilian pilots from around the globe.  Forget anything you have ever seen at an air show, this is a highly competitive championship and one of the most thrilling and intense sporting events ever seen.

Aero GP pushes elite pilots and their aircraft to the limit, racing faster than a Formula One car but in the same amount of space and fighting in air-to-air combat using hi-tech virtual weapons systems; never before seen outside of a military environment.  Aero GP – quite literally – adds a new dimension to motor sport.

The Aero GP series, which will be watched by a global TV audience of hundreds of millions, will be held just metres above motor racing tracks, airports, city centres and waterfronts of major European countries.

Slovenia has been awarded the first event which will take place at a military air base on Sunday 22 May 2005.  Dates for the rest of the series will be announced shortly and are expected to include events in Spain, UK and Dubai.

Jeff Zaltman, Aero GP supremo and managing director of rights holder and international governing body Flying Aces, said: “Aero GP is a first in sports, entertainment and aviation and will be among the most innovative and cutting-edge events in the sporting calendar.  Aerial combat and racing is an extreme test of human ability and one of the most challenging and competitive activities man has ever mastered.”

The potential of Aero GP has also been recognised by the world air sports federation, Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).  FAI Secretary General Max Bishop said: “Aero GP is a very exciting event and we expect it to be a great success throughout Europe and beyond.  It is very appropriate that the series is being launched in this centenary year of the FAI and we wish the organisers every success.”

For more information:
Matt de Leon or Mark Cooper @ Van Communications – 020 7079 0526
Matt de Leon – 07976 458 709
Mark Cooper – 07879 407 283