American Pilot Kirby Chambliss Takes Third Place at First-Ever Red Bull Air Race New York

American Kirby Chambliss got his second straight podium placement with a third place finish at the Red Bull Air Race New York at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey today. Paul Bonhomme of Britain won the race with a scintillating performance under pressure in front of the most spectacular setting in the eight-year history of the sport. Nigel Lamb of Britain took second. 

Bonhomme prevailed in front of a huge crowd watching from the banks of the Hudson River, Ellis Island, Battery Park, leisure boats all over the Hudson and a U.S. television audience on Fox Television Networks and Fox Sports Networks. Austria's Hannes Arch saw his three-race winning streak snapped in dramatic fashion when he hit a pylon in the final while going all out to beat Bonhomme.

Bonhomme stopped the clock at 1:10.01, the day's fastest time on the 3.5 mile track of 13 Air Gates set up on the river between the Statue of Liberty and the breathtaking Manhattan skyline. That was a full 2.05 seconds faster than Lamb and 2.08 faster than Chambliss. Arch was 5.35 behind -- hurt by the six-second penalty for hitting a pylon. Without the penalty Arch would have beaten Bonhomme by 0.65 seconds.

It was Bonhomme's 12th straight podium -- a record. He leads the championship with 53 points while Arch is second overall with 48 points and Lamb is third on 47.

"It's very good -- and what a setting," Bonhomme said. "I can appreciate the view now that I've finished racing. Great day. I concentrated on me, my airplane and the track. And now I think we can celebrate a bit."

Celebrities and spectators alike celebrated Father's Day including Liev Schrieber and with his brother Matt and respective young kids with Australian actress Naomi Watts. Others in attendance included Actor, Zach Braff, recording artist Meloney Fiona singing the National Anthem, retired baseball player, Ken Griffey Jr. and Red Bull Racing's Brian Vickers.

Lady Liberty winked her eye upon 12 of the world's best pilots as they competed in quite possibly the world's most congested air space. After three years of working with 16 government agencies, the cities of New York and Jersey City, and coordinating water operations with the United States Coast Guard, the Red Bull Air Race New York became a reality for the worldwide motorsports tour.

The next Red Bull Air Race takes place in Europe at the Eurospeedway in Lausitz Germany at August 7 and 8 tickets are on sale at www.redbullairrace.com. In the Red Bull Air Race, the world's best pilots compete individually for the fastest time through an aerial race track made up of inflatable air gates racing just 10-30 feet above the ground reaching speeds up to 230 mph pulling 12 Gs.

For more information about the sport, please visit www.redbullairrace.com, or to view each TV episode of the 2009 season, go to www.hulu.com/redbullairrace. For high resolution photos, b-roll and text, please visit www.redbullairrace.com/press.