Adrenaline Rush

Fulfill your need for speed at the Red Bull Air Race World Championships

Up until last year, Red Bull had never attempted to stage an air race at a U.S. motor speedway. But then again, Red Bull is used to doing things that have never been attempted.

The Red Bull Air Race World Championships returns to North Texas on Sept. 26-27 at the same venue where it made history: Texas Motor Speedway. Last year’s historic event drew more than 41,000 fans to watch events that were akin to “NASCAR in the air,” as lightweight racing planes speed inside the 1.5-mile oval at TMS.

This year’s race is the second-to-last in the international tour, which wraps up in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 17-18. Previous stops on this year’s tour included the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Croatia, Hungary, Great Britain and Austria.

The Red Bull Air Race — entering its 11th year as a world championship event — features some of the most skilled pilots in the world, combining the pure speed of their planes with the precision of navigating an obstacle course that features air pylons, or gates. For those that haven’t seen a race, think of a world-class skier like Lindsey Vonn navigating the gates of an Olympic downhill run, and you have an idea of the thrill of watching these air races.

The speeds of these planes can get up to 230 miles per hour, an average speed typical of a NASCAR event. The only difference is these planes are traveling about 50 feet off the ground.

Pilots travel the world to participate in the world championships, but one won’t be far from his hometown. Corpus Christi native and two-time world champion Kirby Chambliss will race next month in the Master Class, comprised of 14 of the world’s best pilots. Chambliss is attempting to make up ground in the overall standings after a mishap in the season’s opening race. Paul Bonhomme, of Great Britain, is the current points leader.

Race fans can take in the spectacle for as little as it takes to get into a Dallas Cowboys game, as general admission for the race on Sunday is just $29. A full weekend package at general admission is just $39 per person and children under 12 get in free with an adult. Fans can also get up close to the hangar and check out the planes. Reserved terrace seating is available for $39 the day of the race, $59 for a full weekend package.

Red Bull also offers Race Club packages ($450 each, with open buffet, climate-controlled environments and premium seating) and Sky Lounge Weekend packages ($950, hosted in TMS’s Speedway Club and featuring international cuisine and hangar viewing access).

Tickets for the Red Bull Air Race World Championships in Fort Worth are on sale now online and in person at the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office (817-215-8500). Discounts for active military service members are offered.

Some of the most skilled pilots in the world convene for this event.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull North America

Some of the most skilled pilots in the world convene for this event.

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RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

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Mark Ridlen RIP

A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, whether it was a vivid pop-art tunic or a flashy sequinned jacket, he did it all with originality and panache.

In late August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit for Ridlen, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

Survivors include his mother Nancy and his brother David. A memorial service is in the works with details still to be announced.

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