Warbirds Over Wanaka 2020 Jet Racing
Media release 28 August 2019
WOW Jet Racing
Due to popular demand, Jet Racing is set to return for the International Airshow, having made its New Zealand Airshow debut at Wanaka in 2014. Featuring pilots from Australia, New Zealand and the United States, wowing the crowd with precision flying around a tight race track at speeds of more than 600kph. Four of the 2014 pilots return, including Kiwi Paul ‘Huggy’ Hughan, who took out the winner’s trophy flying a Vampire jet.
Huggy is keen to get his name on the trophy a second time. “The jet racing was such a blast, it’s a chance for a group of very experienced pilots to test their skills and aircraft against each other.”
Other returning pilots include Brett Emeny flying his Vampire and Peter Vause flying his L-39 Albatros.
American pilot and former Reno Air Races Jet Class champion, Rick Vandam is also coming back. “I had a great time on my first visit to New Zealand. A beautiful country and such a wonderful Airshow. The racing was superb and I’ve been itching to get back ever since,” says Rick.
Former US Air Force Thunderbirds pilot, Paul ‘Sticky’ Strickland completes the pilot lineup. He made his Wanaka debut in 2018 performing a jaw-dropping display in the same L-39 Albatros he will again pilot. Sticky is a member of the US-based Patriots L-39 display team.
Warbirds Already Announced for 2020
We have an exciting line up of aircraft already announced with more to come:
Supermarine Spitfire
Two Vampires
Yakovlev 3-M
L39s
P-40 Kittyhawk
Avro Anson Mk 1
Visit Warbirds Over Wanaka 2020 to purchase tickets or find more information.