Nigel LambRed Bull Air Race Pilot (Ret).

Interviewed by Vincent Abrams

Can you talk a bit about what inspired you to start fying in the frst place?

I always fancied the idea of fying. My father was a fghter pilot in the second world war, although he didn’t talk about it much I guess the interest stems from there. We lived on a farm in Rhodesia, in the middle of nowhere; had no television but my parents were avid readers.

The house was full of books, thousands of them, I read all of the aviation related ones. When we climbed the mountains on the farm, we would always see eagles soaring along the cliffs. Looking down and imagining the freedom to fy gave me a tremendous buzz.

I know you were originally in the RAF, how did you make the transition to Red Bull Air Race pilot?

Through many hours of fying aircraft! During my time in the airforce we were given basic aerobatic training.

The three-dimensional freedom was something that I really enjoyed, so when I left the airforce I moved to England to join an formation aerobatic display team and to continue my training. I successfully competed in many unlimited aerobatics competitions, and running my own aerobatic team, continued to fy at air shows all around the world including Asia.

As soon as I heard about the Red Bull Air Race I immediately knew it was something I would like to be involved in, so made a few phone calls. In 2005 I had a call asking me to attend a training camp..I must have done ok because the rest is history, as they say..

Can you think of a particularly incredible experience you’ve had whilst fying?

I feel as if I’ve enjoyed an infnite number of wonderful experiences. Most relate to other other people sharing the experience but one that stands out is circling the active Mayon volcano near Legazpi in the Philippines at 8,000 feet in a tiny bi-plane and feeling phenomenally vulnerable.

Where’s the best place you’ve fown?

As far as air race locations go I always really enjoy the incredible atmosphere at Ascot, the home crowd are sensational and particularly loud!! Spielberg is also a spectacular and challenging track, with the most exhilarating takeoff then landing on the F1 fnishing straight. Flying a helicopter along the great Zambezi river at sunset and seeing all the animals takes some beating.

Is there anywhere you want to fy that you haven’t been to before?

Apart from the Air Races we few in Rio, I’d love to fy more in South America . . and try some tundra tyre bush fying in Alaska. Like you can see so much on YouTube.

Can you talk a bit about the process that goes into preparing for a race? Are there any particular rituals?

Physically you have to have very strong body-core and neck muscles to withstand the high ‘G’ forces and stress from the 400˚/ second roll rate. You need to have good techniques and exercises for looking after your back and your neck. We specifcally train these muscle groups to deal with the pressure. Good aerobic ftness is essential so I aim for 40mins running or racquetball 3 times a week. My preference is racquetball, which also helps improve mental agility as well as strategy, refexes and satisfying the competitive spirit! In addition, I have some exercises I try to do 3-4 times a week for about 20 minutes each time. It’s a mix of Yoga and Pilates, stretching and core exercises, also using a TRX suspension trainer. All this is easy to do in your hotel room.

A lot of being prepared though comes down to mental aspect. Somehow you have to fnd a balance between being too relaxed and too ‘hyped up’. You need to be feeling‘sharp’ but not under so much pressure that you do not fy in a natural precise and smooth manner. It’s very important that when you start the engine you are looking forward to the race and that you’re mentally and physically prepared. You need to be in a frame of mind where you can get the best out of yourself and the machine and feel that you are absolutely on top of your game. You’re focused, know exactly the line you want to take and you’re not thinking about anything else. I have a fantastic track analyst in my son Max, who tells me the best lines to fy, then it’s up to me to put them into practice!

Of course, none of this is possible without being surrounded by a top team to shield you from distractions and provide you with the perfect platform to go racing.

You won the series back in 2014, is that your most memorable moment in your air race career?

My frst win in Malaysia was, without doubt, the most emotional and memorable moment but winning the Championship came after several years of striving to become competitive so the sweet feeling from Spielberg lasted a very long time.

Can you remember your frst race and what was going through your head at the time?

My frst race was in 2005 at Longleat, UK and I’ll always remember that one because it was tough in my old ‘slow roll rate’ Extra 300 two-seater with the undulating track, down amongst the trees.

I’d had very little time in a track and at the end of the only day we had to practice I was very concerned that I would not be able to get through the track at all. Fortunately it all came together the next day and I achieved my aim of not coming last!

You’ve been an air display pilot for over 30 years, how have you seen the industry change since you started?

It has changed in a big way. In the 80’s we few well over one hundred displays each summer in the UK with many at military bases. After the end of the Cold War, there were far fewer military displays and commercial pressure on the civilian shows has increased over subsequent years so I very much doubt that any display team could average anything like 25 displays per month in a UK summer nowadays.