Bonhomme hungry for revenge

Abu Dhabi: It was another dominating display by Paul Bonhomme as the Briton served notice of his intentions to more than avenge his narrow loss to American Mike Mangold in last year's 10-race series.

After a superb display in Wednesday's training sessions when he clocked the best timing, Bonhomme once again powered through the 13-gate, 5,500-metre long Abu Dhabi course in full throttle to finish on top.

Starting off at a speed of 360.56 kmph, Bonhomme wrapped up the two-round competition in his very first attempt clipping more then 3.30 seconds off American Kirby Chambliss with last year's champion Mike Mangold in third position.

While all the pilots dazzled in perfect conditions that prevailed in the First Qualification Round, it was Bonhomme who was far ahead of the pack and if he does repeat that performance for the third day in today's finals, the season ahead could be a one-man show.

Displaying perfect control and immense skill, Bonhomme, who lost the 2007 title in the final race to American Mangold, clocked 1:03.95 seconds in the two-lap race.

That effort was hard to beat as the still conditions turned a bit rough which considerably slowed down the ace pilots.

Earlier in the afternoon, the 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Series got off to a flying start with South African Glen Dell making a near perfect debut in the series.

But for a three second penalty for flying too high, the debutant showed no signs of nerves as he smartly negotiated the 13-gate course in 1:25.13.

Disqualified

Even as the crowds began to swell despite the rising temperature, the pilots went about their first qualification round with telling results.

Last year's Abu Dhabi winner Peter Besenyei of Hungary clocked a smart 1:08.05 to lead at that stage after American Michael Goulian was disqualified for flying too low. But the biggest cheers were reserved for the top three in Wednesday's trial run.

Americans Mangold and Kirby were behind Bonhomme and the Briton left everyone gasping in awe as he demolished his rivals with a superb display of speed and control.

After Mangold and clocked 1:07.79 and was bettered by Chambliss with a 1:07.25, Bonhomme blazed away with a clear run in 1:03.97, a whopping three-and-a-half second lead over the chasing pack.

And then in the second qualifier, conditions did get harsher and Bonhomme did not have to do much as he takes position to sweep away his opponents today.

Today's action starts with the Point One competition at 3.00pm before the Super Eights take to the skies at 3.15pm.

Following the semi-finals at 4.00pm will be the battle for third place at 4.40pm before the best two go head-to-head for the title.