NEW YORK – Following the investigation into Matt Hall’s aviation mishap in Windsor last week, the race committee of the Red Bull Air Race have imposed sanctions resulting in Hall not being permitted to compete in New York this weekend.
As part of the standard aviation operating procedures, the Red Bull Air Race’s technical director, the race director and the sporting medical director were required to investigate the June 5 incident in which Hall’s race plane splashed off the surface of the Detroit River.
Hall was not hurt in the incident in Windsor however, his MXS-R race plane sustained minor damage to an aileron and landing gear wheel cover.
While disappointed to not be racing in New York, Hall has accepted the decision of the race committee and is now focussed on returning to the eight event championship in which he is currently sitting in fifth position.
“I am pretty disappointed to not be racing in New York but it is something I have to accept,” Hall said.
“The race committee have a process to follow and they were very thorough in their dealings and deliberations with me.
“While I have the utmost confidence in my abilities as a race pilot and am determined to bounce back better than ever, missing this race will give me an opportunity to analyse my flying style and performances before I race again.”
The Australian will be permitted to participate in a step down training program in New York as part of the process to return him to full competition status.
“This certainly has been a challenging fortnight for myself, my family and my team but it is good to be able to get in the race track and back on the horse, so to speak, and I will use my training time wisely to ensure I am ready to go again once I get the green light,” Hall said.
“My team, family and friends have all been great, as have my major sponsors Massel and Eventscorp Western Australia and their support has been greatly appreciated.
“I am a positive person and I am sure one day we will be able to look back on this time as a productive step along the pathway to sustained success.”
To listen to Matt’s interview with NewFM on the sanctions, click here.
Hall will return to Australia next week and take a short break before focussing on the European leg of the Championships that begin with the German leg on August 7/8.
