Matt Hall will launch an all-out attack on the Red Bull Air Race World Championship this weekend as the series heads for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time.
Known as "the Brickyard" because of its original track surface, Indianapolis has been the home of circuit motor racing in the USA since 1909, with the legendary Indianapolis 500 its most famous event.
Hall goes into race weekend in second place in the standings behind German friend Matthias Dolderer, but coming off two straight race wins, believes he is in the right form to apply pressure to his good friend.
“It’s Matthias’ title to lose now,” Hall said. “I am just going to keep doing what I have been doing and if I can continue to be consistent in all my flights I am confident I can do well. I think this track suits us and as a team we are confident we are in a good place.
“I never really focus on results, preferring to take care of the process to put in a good performance, but I am here to win. Matthias will know that.”
Hall also believes his experience in the 2015 series where he ran a close second in the title to Briton Paul Bonhomme will be to his advantage over the last two races of the 2016 series.
“I was in a similar positon last year so I’ve been here before,” he said. “Matthias never has, so it’s up to him to perform and if he doesn’t I’ll try and make sure I capitalise."
Hall is 16.5 point adrift of Dolderer with a maximum of 30 points on offer for the two USA legs of the series. For Hall to have a chance in the title, he needs to score at least 1.5 points more than the German this weekend.
Qualifying for the race is at 0600 on Sunday morning AEST with the Round of 14 starting at 0300 Monday morning and the Round of 8 and Final 4 beginning at 0500 Monday.