The Red Bull Air Race will be making a return in just nine days’ time.

The first instalment of the seventh series is taking place in Abu Dhabi on February 28 and March 1.

Reigning champion Paul Bonhomme of Britain, who won the last race in Abu Dhabi in 2010, will be looking to get his title defence off to a flying start in the UAE’s capital city against 11 of the world’s most talented pilots.

The organisers of the races have also announced an additional event, which will take place in the Croatian town of Rovinj on 12-13 April.

Rovinj, a picturesque port town on the western coast of Istria with a rich natural and cultural heritage, is one of the most attractive locations in Europe – a popular tourist resort with an old town on a peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea. The race in Croatia will also pay tribute to rich tradition of aviation in the Adriatic region.

“We’re really excited to be going to Croatia for the first time in the history of the Red Bull Air Race,” said Sergio Pla, head of aviation at Red Bull Air Race. “Croatia is full of fans and has, along with the entire Adriatic region, a long tradition in aviation, with many active sports pilots, high-tech aircraft and parts manufactures along with a lot of lovely small airport strips. They are blessed with the gorgeous Adriatic Sea.”

After the traditional season opener in Abu Dhabi and the second leg in Rovinj, the Red Bull Air Race 2014 World Championship moves to first-ever stops in Putrajaya, Malaysia on May 17/18, the Baltic Sea city of Gdynia, Poland on July 26/27, and the Ascot Racecourse in Great Britain on August 16/17. It then moves to the United States with two further debut locations, the Texas Motor Speedway in Dallas-Fort Worth, on September 6/7 and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, on October 11/12, before concluding in China on November 1/2.

For more information visit the Red Bull Air Races website.

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