I went to Air Race Chiba 2016.

Watching from the FORB Area

Thanks to the Red Bull Friends program, I had the opportunity to watch the race from the FORB area. With the pass I received during the pre-event tour the day before, I headed to the venue.

Entrance was through the dedicated FORB gate, which was almost free of congestion. After a quick bag check, I was in.

Unfortunately... Air Race 2016 Qualifiers Canceled Due to Strong Winds

As you may already know, the qualifiers for Air Race 2016 were canceled due to strong winds. The sky was gloomy, the waves were rough, and the pylons were swaying wildly. The FORB area, as well as other areas, had noticeably fewer people.

The elegant Red Bull-branded parasols that gave the bar a resort-like feel had to be removed due to the strong winds. At first, they tried securing them until the winds calmed, but the weather was just too extreme. I imagine it must have been tough for the staff making drinks while sand kept blowing into them.

The weather only got worse, ending in a full-blown storm. With no other options, I used my food tickets for a light meal, drank some Red Bull, and called it a day. My hair was covered in sand, and cleaning up afterward was a real hassle.

Air Race 2016 Main Event: A Historic Victory for Japanese Pilot Muroya!

On the day of the main event, the result was nothing short of incredible—Muroya took first place! Winning on home soil was truly an extraordinary feat.

In the FORB area, the energy peaked whenever Muroya was racing. I’m sure many attendees were there just to witness this historic moment.

Everyone was fixated on the time display, closely watching the results. As the races progressed, the weather cleared up, making for a perfect final.

As a Red Bull Friend, I felt incredibly lucky to witness Muroya’s first victory in Japan.

FORB Area Report

Now, let’s take a closer look at the FORB area.

While the qualifier day had low attendance due to the bad weather, the announcement of the main event proceeding as planned brought a surge of people. As the weather improved, the area became packed with spectators.

Unlimited Red Bull at the Bar

First up, the bar area. There was also live entertainment.

The bar offered free-flow Red Bull, Sugar-Free, Red Bull Vodka, and Red Bull Passion. The Passion flavor had a rich tropical taste that was so good I ended up having three glasses! It almost felt like a new Red Bull flavor.

For an energy drink enthusiast like me, this setup was pure bliss. If only they had the Summer Edition too—it would have been a perfect match for the beach vibe. At the Summer Edition Tropical Party, the cocktails were amazing, making me wish they were available here as well.

FORB Included Food Tickets

Next, the food offerings. Each attendee received two food tickets upon entry.

The pizza was pretty standard but turned out to be the best option. It was surprisingly filling, and I ended up having it on both days.

The churros were quite long and satisfying, while the tacos—offered in veggie and chicken varieties—felt more like light snacks than full meals. Among these, the pizza was definitely my top choice.

On the second day, I think I saw shaved ice being served, but the line was long, and the crowd was much larger than on the first day.

The pizza sold out quickly due to the high attendance.

Enjoying More Than Just the Beach

The Air Race venue had much more to offer beyond the beachside areas.

FMX Drew Huge Crowds

FMX (Freestyle Motocross) attracted a massive audience, and it was my first time seeing it up close. Many spectators were likely experiencing FMX for the first time, making it a great introduction to the sport.

Other performances, like parkour and breaking, were also happening, which brought back memories and made me want to get back into them.

Red Bull and Beverage Sales at the Venue

The Red Bull drink stands had much more reasonable pricing compared to last year. Multiple booths were set up throughout the venue, each stocked with plenty of Red Bull.

By the way, I embarrassingly had never seen this box before. When I spotted it during the pre-event tour and asked the staff, I learned it was for 330ml bottles.

Buying an entire case of 330ml bottles is a luxury I’ve never considered, so it completely escaped my notice. The design was stunning, and I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

Public Viewing Area and Food Stalls

The public viewing area had large displays with benches and tables, making it surprisingly comfortable. While nothing compares to seeing the race in person, the live commentary made the experience enjoyable for those watching from here.

Surrounding the public viewing area were numerous food stalls, where I indulged in a feast.

I arrived at the venue around noon and was watching from here when the race suddenly started—forcing me to rush to the FORB area.

Getting to FORB required quite a detour, but I managed to make it just in time for Muroya’s run, which was a relief.

Despite concerns about the weather, Muroya's victory felt destined. Being invited through the Red Bull Friends program and witnessing his first win in Japan made this Air Race truly unforgettable.

Huge thanks to Red Bull Japan and the event organizers for making this possible!