Red Bull Air Race today announced that Chiba, Japan, has been added to the 2018 series as the third race, to be held 26-27 May.
Chiba has been part of the series since 2015, but was not on the race schedule for this year as released in November 2017.
Chiba is the home race of reigning World Champion Yoshihide Muroya, who has now won the last two races there, and is naturally looking forward to a homecoming in 2018.
"A home race is special, and we are very happy to have the opportunity to fly in Chiba again," Muroya said. "Yes, there's pressure, but the support we feel from the fans always gives us a boost."
Muroya currently sits in second place in the championship standings after Round One in Abu Dhabi, only three points behind American Michael Goulian. Australian Matt Hall is in fifth
Originally, the May slot was slated for a race weekend somewhere in Europe, with the first fixture in Asia not scheduled until August. The series now has six confirmed venues with slots still open in September and November.
The revised 2018 Red Bull Air Race World Championship series is:
02-03 February: Abu Dhabi, UAE
21-22 April: Cannes, France
26-27 May: Chiba, Japan
23-24 June: Budapest, Hungary
25-26 August: Kazan, Russia
September: location TBA
6-7 October: Indianapolis, USA
November: location TBA