Matt Hall is targeting a race win in Hungary this weekend in order to keep alive his dream of winning the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
With the series ending this year, Hall, who currently sits in third place in the standings, has only two more rounds to overtake leaders Yoshi Muroya and Martin Sonka to grab the elusive world title. He knows his best chance is to score the maximum points on offer for a race win.
“The last time we won a race was at the end of May last year in Japan, and I am ready to win another and put myself right into this championship equation,” Hall said.
“With only four races this season, it is harder than ever to win the title as there are so few opportunities to get points. So far Yoshi has won two races, and I think if we want to be champions, we need to do the same and that begins this weekend."
Sunday's race is over Lake Balaton in Hungary and Hall starts with a 17-point deficit to Muroya. With 25 points alloted to the race winner, Hall does have the ability to leap into the championship lead, but knows Muroya and Sonka are both former champions and will be out to score their own haul of points.
"You can never discount anyone in this sport, but those two guys are undoubtedly the ones to beat," Hall said. "I think popular opinion is that it will be a two-horse race to the finish of this series, but there are still 56 points up for grabs and I’m only 17 behind. I want to make it a three-way battle.
“I could say that we’re just hoping to achieve the best result we can, but I would be lying to myself if I said that. The reality is that I walked away from a career as a fighter pilot a decade ago to pursue the dream of being the Red Bull Air Race World Champion and I am yet to do that.
"The series is ending and the only thing I want is to win this race and the decider in Japan. That’s what we are aiming for.”
Qualifying commences on Saturday at midnight AEST with the race starting on Sunday 9.00 pm AEST.