Americans Michael Goulian and Kirby Chambliss to Retire from Red Bull Air Race following 2019 Season

Jan 15

Red Bull Air Race has announced that three pilots will hang up their helmets following the upcoming 2019 Red Bull Air Race season, including two Americans: Michael Goulian and Kirby Chambliss.

Both pilots bring over a decade of experience to the table in the Red Bull Air Race. Kirby Chambliss is a Red Bull Air Race pioneer, taking part in the inaugural Red Bull Air Race season back in 2003. He’s been on the podium in 11 of his 12 Red Bull Air Race seasons, only missing the podium in 2014. He has two Red Bull Air Race World Championships, and he has 10 Red Bull Air Race victories, putting him third on the all-time win list.

Michael Goulian flies off the wing of fellow American Kirby Chambliss above San Diego back in April of 2017.

Michael Goulian joined the Red Bull Air Race series back in 2006, and has been a competitor ever since. He brings to the table multiple wins, including two in 2018 in both Abu Dhabi and Indianapolis, which probably goes down as his most memorable achievement. 2018 was his best season yet, finishing the season in third place and just a few points away from the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

Michael Goulian kisses the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Following his Red Bull Air Race Win in late 2018.

Both Goulian and Chambliss are American icons in aviation, stemming from lifelong careers in aviation and aerobatics. Both are highly sought-after Air Show performers, and while they’re hanging it up on the Red Bull Air Race tour, don’t expect them to be leaving the air show curcuit anytime soon.

Michael Goulian and Kirby Chambliss stand on the podium in Kazan, Russia in 2018.

In addition to the two Americans, Frenchman Nicolas Ivanoff has announced 2019 will also be his final year racing for a championship. With three spots opening up after the 2019 season, look for Challenger pilots, including American Kevin Coleman, to compete even harder this year for the chance to make the jump to the Master Class.

The 2019 Red Bull Air Race season opens up February 2-3 in Abu Dhabi, so look for the seasoned Americans to go out fighting starting in just two weeks!