Mr Consistency

Yet in a race that comes down to hundredths of a second, the Matt Hall Racing team was taking a far more long-term and strategic perspective. Winning was not the ultimate goal in the first half of the season. In the first instance, it was more about gaining a stability of performance in both the aircraft and team. From a solid base, the intensity could be safely increased and hopefully the results would then follow.

In a high stakes sport at an elite level of competition, it was a mature approach from the Australian team and began to show dividends from the first round in Abu Dhabi when Matt came second to the eventual RBAR season winner, Paul Bonhomme. The Bonhomme/Hall race would ultimately become the race within the race as the two pilots occupied the top two places on the podium in six of the eight races for 2015.

Matt earned a reputation as ‘Mr Consistency’ as he followed up Abu Dhabi with second and third places at Chiba and Rovinj, respectively. He was becoming increasingly comfortable with the nuances of the winglets and the next race at Budapest was a course that would suit his new-look wings. With solid, winning performances in qualifying at Budapest, many believed that Matt was at the threshold of his maiden Red Bull Air Race victory. But sport can be a fickle master.

Despite the positive signs in the lead-up Matt was knocked out in the head-to-head ‘round of eight’ when Martin Sonka flew an exceptional time. Despite Matt’s time being the third fastest of the eight, the sudden death round had him miss out on the final four and a chance at victory. Such is the unforgiving nature of top level sport and there were some who began to ponder if Matt was destined to always be the ‘runner-up’.

Following the disappointment of Budapest, Matt returned to the podium with another second place at Ascot in the UK. Still, there was an immense amount of feedback on social media and other quarters about the absence of a Matt Hall victory to date. Well-intentioned in many cases, the conversation often overlooked the fact that Matt Hall Racing was consistently achieving highly competitive times and that a season game plan was still in play. Additionally, there are a group of very talented pilots standing in the way of anyone hoping to win a round of the Red Bull Air Race. Despite the subtle pressure of public opinion, Matt and the team remained focused and that determination paid significant dividends in the next round at Spielberg when he recorded his first RBAR victory. The win was pivotal in a number of ways. Firstly, it cast the monkey off the back about scoring a top podium finish and silenced a lot of the conversation. Secondly, it reinforced the team’s strategy with Matt now placed hot on the heels of Paul Bonhomme in the overall standings. The final race at Spielberg also marked a point where Matt consciously attacked the course, flying even harder than usual.

The win at Spielberg was a great relief for Matt and the team – still, the victory was celebrated and then it was time to move on. The championship was now within Matt’s reach and preparations for the final two races needed to be made.

Down to the wire

The last races of season 2015 were held in the US, the first at Fort Worth, Texas and the final round at Las Vegas, Nevada. A shot at the title beckoned, but once again the ever reliable Paul Bonhomme claimed victory in the penultimate race with Matt second. The title was not lost, but it now became more a case of Bonhomme losing it in Las Vegas.

For Matt, the race at Las Vegas held the highest level of pressure for the Red Bull Air Race season. By now his team members had their roles down to a fine art and even RBAR management marvelled at the professional nature of the Australian squad. In the hours of the race, there was no unnecessary talk and with everything going to plan, the team was basically silent. Matt would return from the course and quietly and efficiently, the pilot, crew and aircraft would be readied for the next flight. It drew a senior official to comment that other teams should cast an eye in the direction of Matt Hall Racing.

In the cockpit, Matt pushed hard to win, accepting that such an approach may elevate the chance of a pylon strike or penalty. Conversely, Bonhomme flew a smooth risk-free race, ultimately finishing second in the Vegas round as Matt won his second race for the season. In the end, Paul Bonhomme finished the season with 76 points,

Matt calculates that he only spent around 12 hours total in the aeroplane.

Matt Hall on 71 points and Hannes Arch a distant third with 34 points.

For Matt, the top podium finish was a weird feeling of mixed emotions. He had won the race, but not the championship. Still, there was no mistaking the impact that Matt Hall Racing had made on season 2015. The blend of pilot, machine and team had reached a point of high-level proficiency that was reflected in the second half results. When the season began, the team had taken the long-term approach and even so, nearly won the title. Now season 2016 awaits.

A change of seasons

The team had learned a great deal in 2015. Thorough de-briefings occurred after every race throughout the season, so the post-season left only a little time to reflect upon, but a lot to prepare for.

The winglets had been a success and Matt had grown to appreciate the different style and feel of flying the MXS-R with the modified wingtips. The aircraft always needed to be flown to the most efficient angle-of-attack and sometimes this meant that the ‘lines’ flown through the course didn’t appear to be the most efficient. Commentators would occasionally comment about Matt seeming to fly a little wider here or there, but it was all to a plan. Using Google Earth, the team measured the course and its various turns and straights down to a matter of metres and this is where the most efficient path was calculated. Matt anticipates that the winglets will be adopted by another six or seven teams in 2016 and they will also have to learn the best way to use them to an advantage.

Throughout the season Matt had been wary of over-training. He never wanted flying the MXS-R competitively to feel like ‘just another flight’. Consequently, he only ever flew the aircraft three or four times in the lead-up to a race and with the races spaced at three-week intervals, it was ideal for remaining current. Astoundingly, over the entire season, Matt calculates that he only spent around 12 hours total in the aeroplane, thus maintaining that competitive edge.

With the MXS-R back in Australia, the aircraft is due to be stripped down and rebuilt in early 2016. Only small modifications are set to be made and the aircraft will subsequently be flown to bed these in with the team coming together again in mid-March. Before long it will be time to ship the MXS-R overseas once more and the new season will be upon one and all.

As always, beyond the air racing, Matt is kept busy with multiple other projects when he is in Australia. There have been numerous speaking engagements, with many in association with his faithful sponsors, Massell, OzRunways and QBE. His home base at Lake Macquarie Airport continues to develop with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service turning the soil for its new facility there, and Matt looks forward to building a new complex for the Matt Hall Racing team – the entire process being made far more enjoyable by the ongoing support of the local council and community.

Never far from the cockpit, Matt also continued flying his aerobatic adventure flights in addition to some interesting warbird flying in Mustangs and Spitfires. This included performances at Warbirds Downunder and some formation work with his Red Bull Air Race friend and rival, Nigel Lamb. While it may be the off-season for the air race, there is very little down time for Matt Hall.

Looking ahead

Season 2016 will commence without two familiar faces. The reigning champion, Paul Bonhomme and the veteran, Peter Besenyei have both retired with new pilots set to be promoted from the Challenger Class. When asked which pilots are vying for the title in the coming season, Matt says that the list is long, reflecting the fact that any of the very skilled pilots have the potential to make an impact. However, Matt does note that this year’s rookie, Juan Velarde, flies very smoothly and is rumoured to have a very fast aircraft in the works for the coming season. He may be a dark horse to watch.

Matt readily admits that much was learned from the past season. A good deal of confidence was gained from the initial victories, but more so from the level of consistency. Furthermore, the integration of the pilot, aircraft and team has now reached a level of maturity that will hold Matt Hall Racing in good stead for 2016.

A good many questions were also answered in 2015, including those regarding the performance of the winglets and the lurking quest for that first victory. But Matt highlights it is the ability to consistently perform, error-free, on the ground and in the air that forms the real base for success.

Praise for his team is never far away from Matt Hall’s lips and one senses that therein lies another key to his successful year. While Matt stood on the podium for all but a single race, he is the first to admit that it takes many shoulders to lift him there. As the new season looms large, the foundations of 2015 have formed a strong base to build upon. Around the world, from Lake Macquarie to Las Vegas, many await the call of ‘Smoke On!’ and the sight of Matt Hall and his MXS-R doing what they do best.