Matt Hall Column

Three weeks later in Austria we narrowly missed winning, only to be third with the top three pilots separated by just 0.083 of a second in the closest ever finish to a Red Bull Air Race in history. Then at the start of October we finished sixth at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in America and it was another result that stung a little. We again had a fast plane, but another pylon hit in the Round of 8 sent us packing from the race.

Now, we have just one race to go in the season – at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, USA – and our strong season, albeit with two results that went begging, will come to a crescendo. The 2018 world title is on the line, and we are one of three teams in the running.

The only issue is, we’re in third and seven points behind the leader. There are only 15 points on offer for the winner, so it’s going to be a big weekend.

‘The only issue is, we’re in third and seven points behind the leader.’

My two title rivals are Michael Goulian of the USA, who is in first and Martin Šonka of the Czech Republic, who is only two points ahead of us in second. Both are formidable opponents, and like us have had their ups and downs across the first seven races of the season.

Martin has won the most races with three, while Mike and I have two each. All three of us have had race results that went begging, and yet we’ve all rebounded in critical moments where others may not have been able to do so.

It’s frustrating and addictive at the same time how quickly the points and standings have changed in the 2018 season so far. Nevertheless, the one constant has been Mike, Martin and I trading the wins – the highest of the highs.

When the results don’t go your way, such as Russia and Indianapolis for us, you end race day feeling down. Your head starts running through what you could have done differently, and you secretly wish that you were in the shoes of the guys that went on to win. Allowing yourself to feel angry and frustrated is ok, but only if you can turn those feeling into a constructive solid learning experience.

Inevitably, racing will always have high points and low points. It’s a bit of a cliché, but how you carry yourself in the low moments is what shapes a season just as much as the victories. For the guys on my team and me, we don’t walk away from the lows with our heads down. We’re always able to ride the less favourable results out and surface on the other side with a plan for how we can do it all better.

For me, that’s how I know we deserve the high points in the race year. I pride myself and I have pride in my team that we win and lose with dignity and no matter what, always make progress.

I guess that sentiment is true for any pilot whether commercial or private. There will be days where you have the perfect flight, with amazing conditions and where your preparation ensures everything goes off without a hitch.

For every five of those flights, there are probably 10 other flights where you have prepared just as well but aren’t achieved with the same perfection when you soar into the air, for one reason or another. Sometimes that is aviation, it’s frustrating, but we still pour our hearts and souls (and wallets!) into it.

Back on the racing side of things, we really did think that Indianapolis would treat us better than sixth. But it didn’t, and now the chance to win my first ever world title hangs by a thread. Seven points is a lot to make up on Mike in one race, but hey, he made up nine points on Martin last race, so it goes to show that anything can happen.

There’s also a silver lining on finding ourselves in third place and undoubtedly the outsiders for the title, coming into the final race in Texas: We can’t finish lower than third this year, so we have nothing to lose.

In fourth place behind us is Mika Brageot of France with 36 points to our 63. With only 15 points on offer for the winner in Texas, he isn’t a threat for us. So, in the best case scenario we will be able to win the race in Texas and have Mike’s and Martin’s results fall in our favour to allow us to become world champions.

Imagine that, a guy from Newcastle, Australia becoming a Red Bull Air Race World Champion. It’s a dream that I’ve entertained many times, but with it now within reaching distance for a third time in my career, I dare not consider it for too long.

If the best case is the title, and fourth isn’t a threat, it means the worst case scenario for us in Texas is to finish third for the season. Hence, we have everything to gain at the final race this year. Of the three teams vying for the title, we have the least to lose and the most to gain.

Sure, Martin’s team is also in a slightly similar position to us with less pressure, but not Mike, the pressure is well and truly on for him. He’s just become the first American to win on home soil in 10 years. The final race of the season is in America and he is leading the championship race, in fact he has one hand on the trophy.

So, I guess there is a tiny bit of solace for us in being the third-placed outsiders.

Many will have written us off already, but the team and I are looking to finish the season by riding one last high. There is no doubt, we want to win the final race of the season and if we can do that, then whether or not we become the 2018 series champions will be out of our control. But we would have done everything possible to achieve that goal.

Regardless, with no pressure on us, we can get to Texas and enjoy the event. I can go out there and focus on my own flying and enjoy myself in the track. When I do that, I know I am at my fastest.

Smoke on, Texas is in our sights.