Race Format
What is AIR RACE X?
AIR RACE X is the world’s premier aerial racing championship. Elite pilots fly high-performance aircraft through a precision course, competing for the fastest time.
At speeds of up to 400 km/h and forces of up to 12G, it is one of the most physically demanding forms of motorsport in the world. Points are awarded after each race based on finishing position, and the pilot with the most points at the end of the season is crowned Series Champion.
Race Format
AIR RACE X runs in two formats.
In a Live Race, all pilots compete at a single venue on the same day, in front of a live crowd.
In a Multi-Location Race, pilots fly from their own bases around the world, on an identical course set to the same specifications at every location. Results are determined by the data — not by who is watching.
Both formats follow the same three-phase structure: Practice → Qualifying → Final Tournament.
Qualifying＊ Applies to both Live and Multi-Location Race formats.
Each pilot has two flights during the qualifying window. Their faster time stands as their official qualifying result.
If two pilots record the same time, the pilot who set that time first takes the higher grid position.
＊ Applies to both Live and Multi-Location Race formats.
Final Tournament
Grid positions from qualifying set the bracket. Pilots then race through the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and the Final in a knockout format — one run, winner advances.
If two Pilots record the same time in the finals, the pilot with the higher qualifying position takes the win.
Championship Points＊ Applies to both Live and Multi-Location Race formats.
Points are awarded after every race for both qualifying and final tournament results. The pilot with the highest total at the end of the season is Series Champion.
| QUALIFYING FINISHING POSITION | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMPIONSHIP POINT | 8 pt | 5 pt | 3 pt |
| FINAL FINISHING POSITION | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMPIONSHIP POINT | 25 pt | 18 pt | 15 pt | 12 pt | 10 pt | 8 pt | 6 pt | 4 pt |
Multi-Location Race
The racetrack is built where the pilot chooses. Each competitor flies from their home base, with an identical track set up at each location no matter where it is in the world. Within the race window, every pilot flies the same course — and the data decides the result.
The track layout changes each round, so no two races are the same. Pilots must be able to adapt and perform where they fly.
Runs must be completed in sequence: Q1 → Q2 → Quarter-Final → Semi-Final → Final. There is no limit on the amount of practice runs allowed.
RDU — Remote Data Unit
Every race aircraft carries an RDU. It records all flight data during a run — position, speed, altitude, and G-forces — and is the basis for results and penalty decisions. Because all officiating is driven by data, every pilot is judged to the same standard, wherever they fly.
Each run requires a token issued by the AIR RACE X race system. Once a token is loaded, the pilot has 90 minutes to complete the run and upload the data to the system. One token, one shot — there are no second chances.
For the full penalty framework, see the Regulations page.
Handicap System
Conditions vary at every location. Temperature, air pressure, and air density all affect aircraft performance. When a token is issued, the championship automatically pulls official weather data from each pilot’s location. A dedicated algorithm calculates a handicap based on air density, ensuring results are comparable regardless of where a pilot flies.
Wind is the one variable the system cannot correct. It changes throughout a run and falls outside the calculation. Using it — or managing it — remains a critical part of the race strategy, and no algorithm can take that challenge away.
