Red Bull hosts an exciting event where creativity literally soars through the sky! Red Bull Flugtag races take place all over the world, from Poland and Turkey to Tampa, Florida. The Flugtag event splash landed in Tampa on November 9.

The Tampa Bay Flugtag event featured 32 teams chosen from over 200 applications. Teams compete to see which group can fly their homemade aircraft the farthest. The word “Flugtag” means “flying day,” referencing the Red Bull slogan “Red Bull gives you wings.”

All aircraft are human-powered, with teams pushing their creations down a runway to launch their flyer off a 27-foot platform. The goal is to get the aircraft as far as possible before it hits the water. Teams are judged based on their creativity in plane design and the skit they perform before sending their planes over the edge.

Fox 13 News reported that over 80,000 people attended this year’s Flugtag event. The world record for the Red Bull Flugtag race is 257 feet, set by a team of five Californian engineers named “The Chicken Whisperers” in September 2013.

The winner of this year’s Tampa race was a team of engineers called the “Flug Shag” from Orlando. They designed their aircraft after the popular movie series “Austin Powers.” The plane resembled his iconic car, painted with the Union Jack flag, and the team dressed as characters from the movie. It launched just over 51 feet. Ironically, the original “Shagquar” will be auctioned off at Mecum in Orlando in January.

In second place were the “Life Savers,” a group of pilots who flew their creation over 48 feet. In third were “The Flying Spartans,” a group of University of Tampa students who managed to launch their creation 45 feet.

The “Joogsquad,” representing Apex Skimboards, was awarded the People’s Choice award sponsored by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

There were numerous unique ideas and concepts. One standout team named “Dance Haus Dads” designed their plane after the Barbie plane and dressed as Ken dolls. Other teams were inspired to create their floats based on characters like Lightning McQueen, WWE wrestlers, and even local Tampa inspirations like Jose Gaspar.

Attending and being part of this event is both enjoyable and inspiring, as there was a remarkable range of creativity displayed by the teams. These Florida locals who created their own contraptions ensured that this was a Flugtag air show to remember.

For more photos and video highlights, visit: Hawkeyenews.net.