Ep 17. Japan

The Red Bull Air Race World Series season 2017 has reached its seventeenth episode, and this time it's in Japan. Japan has always been an important destination for the World Series, as the country has a rich aviation history and culture. The race takes place at the Chiba Prefecture, where the landscape is the perfect setting for the adrenaline-fueled event.

The pilots will face a challenging course that features high-speed turns, tight corners, and low-altitude flight. They will have to navigate through inflatable pylons, which are set up in a way that tests their flying skills to the limit. The racecourse is designed to challenge the pilots and ensure that only the best will emerge victorious.

The race will start with the qualifying round, where each pilot will have to fly the course as fast as possible, while also avoiding any penalties that can be incurred if they hit a pylon or go off course. The pilots who perform the best will advance to the round of 14, where they will compete head-to-head in a knockout format. The top seven pilots from this round will advance to the round of 8, where they will compete again to determine the top four pilots. The top four pilots will then compete in the Final 4, where the winner will be crowned.

The Japan race is particularly significant in the 2017 season, as it marks the first time in the season that two Japanese pilots will compete. Yoshihide Muroya and Masayo "Masha" Fujimoto will be representing Japan, and they will undoubtedly have the home advantage. The Japanese crowd will be cheering them on, and they will be hoping to put on a great show in front of their fellow countrymen.

Apart from the Japanese pilots, the race will feature some of the best pilots in the world. The current World Champion, Matthias Dolderer, will be looking to defend his title, while former champions, Paul Bonhomme and Kirby Chambliss, will be gunning for the top spot. Other pilots to look out for include Nicolas Ivanoff, Pete McLeod, and Juan Velarde.

The Japan race will also be significant for the World Championship standings. With only two races left in the season after this one, every point counts. The race leader, Yoshihide Muroya, will be looking to extend his lead, while the other pilots will be looking to catch up. The Japan race will be a crucial moment in the season, and the pilots will have to perform at their best if they want to keep their championship hopes alive.

Overall, the Japan race promises to be an exciting and thrilling event. The pilots will be pushing themselves to the limit, and the racecourse will be challenging. With the home crowd cheering the Japanese pilots on, the atmosphere will be electric. The race will showcase the best of aviation sport, and it will be a moment to remember in the Red Bull Air Race World Series season 2017.