Red Bull Air Race Takes Flight In Ontario

McGuinty Government Helps Bring World-Renowned Competition To Canada

 

NEWS

 

Ontario is promoting tourism and boosting the local economy in Windsor by helping the city host the Red Bull Air Race, an international competition that will come to Canada for the very first time.

 

The McGuinty government is investing over $3 million in this high profile event that will directly support 275 jobs, attract approximately 750,000 attendees and is anticipated to generate over $24 million in visitor spending. National and international media coverage of this air race will help promote Ontario as a must-experience tourist destination.

 

The race, taking place June 13-14, 2009, is the first and only Canadian venue in the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship, which features some of the world’s best pilots navigating a low-level aerial track made of air-filled pylons over the Detroit River. The demanding course tests the pilots’ skills in high-speed and high-G-force conditions.

 

QUOTES

 

“I’m thrilled to welcome the Red Bull Air Race to Windsor, and proud that we’re the first Canadian city to host this race. This event will attract close to one million visitors, employ hundreds of people, and showcase all that our city has to offer.”
— MPP for Windsor West, Sandra Pupatello

 

“Our government was pleased to work with Red Bull and the City in order to bring the Air Race to Windsor. By hosting this popular event we are showcasing our great city and province to the world and creating meaningful economic spin-offs.”
— MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh, Dwight Duncan

 

 “The Red Bull Air Race will attract thousands of visitors to Windsor. This means more tourists staying at hotels, eating at restaurants and shopping at local retail outlets. The economic benefits will be felt across the entire Windsor tourism region, supporting jobs, increasing economic activity, and showcasing Windsor and Ontario to the world.”
— Ontario Tourism Minister Monique Smith

 

“We are pleased to bring the Red Bull Air Race to Canada for the first time, and that Windsor is host to one of six locations worldwide for the 2009 World Championship. This international motor sport brings together some of the world’s most skilled pilots, attracts huge crowds and generates substantial economic activity for the hosting municipality.”
— Red Bull Air Race CEO Bernd Loidl

 

 

QUICK FACTS

 

• 300,000 people in Ontario are directly or indirectly employed by the tourism industry.

 

• In 2007, total tourism receipts in Ontario totalled more than $22 billion.

 

LEARN MORE

Read more about the Red Bull Air Race at: www.redbullwindsorontario.com
Discover travel experiences in Ontario at www.ontariotravel.net.
Watch our new television commercial featuring Ontario musician Justin Hines, which can be seen on Ontario networks such as CBC, CTV and CanWest from now until June 22,“There’s No Place Like This”

 

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Contacts:
Lisa DiLollo, Minister’s Office, 416-325-4543.
Lisa Robart, Communications Branch, (416) 212-3928