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The Red Bull Air Race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been permanently grounded, just months after IMS reached a deal to keep the event for at least another year.
IMS officials were informed Wednesday morning that the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, slated for October 19-20, was canceled as part of the parent organization’s decision to disband the entire series.
“We are disappointed that we will not host another Red Bull Air Race event, and I know many of our fans will be disappointed, as well,” IMS President Doug Boles said in a written statement.
Boles said customers who had already purchased tickets for the event will receive refunds and should expect to receive an email with details on the process.
IMS reached a deal with Red Bull Air Race in January to keep the world championship for at least this year, after completing a three-year deal in 2018.
Attendance for the 2018 race, about 40,500, was down only slightly from 2017’s event, which drew 40,750 attendees. The inaugural race in Indianapolis in 2016 had about 65,000 spectators.
Last year’s race saw pilot Michael Goulian become the first American to win over home soil since 2008. Boles said IMS officials were disappointed local fans wouldn’t have the opportunity to see Goulian defend his crown.
The Red Bull Air Race series, which started in 2003 and has featured 90 races, will not continue after the 2019 season.
Events in Kazan, Russia (June 15-16), Lake Balaton, Hungary (July 13-14), and Chiba, Japan (Sept. 7-8) are still on the series calendar.
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