22. August 2008.

Herendi Porcelánmanufaktúra Zrt., after Formula 1, was also a participant of the Red Bull Air Race on August 20th; for the first time this year it furnished the trophy for this race as well.
The cooperation was not utterly new-founded; as we have already mentioned earlier, the helmet of Péter Besenyei, the Hungarian pilot, was painted by Herend painter László Tartó. Herend won the competition for the decoration of the helmet, and now the victors raised Herend trophies overhead!
In Budapest, on the day of national celebrations, amidst the adulation of a vast crowd, Hannes Arch of Austria proved victorious; it was the first time he was able stand on the first rung of the podium at the Red Bull Air Race world cup series. Péter Besenyei of Hungary finished in fifth place in his special Herend helmet.
The spectacular and breathtaking acrobatic flight competition attracted huge crowds in Budapest; the performance of the kings of the air were observed by over a million spectators on both sides of the Danube.
In the capital of a beautiful country, at the air race held at a most extraordinary venue, the victors received exclusive trophies. Success, attempting the impossible in the air, is an awe inspiring spectacle, just like the noble bird that is the Peregrine Falcon, otherwise known as the turulmadár (Turul Bird) which figures not only in the folk tales and folk art of Hungarians, but is also a primary figure of the Hungarian origin myth. Being the guardian of the traditions and sword of Saint Stephen, the ruffled feathers on its neck express its readiness to defend the nation.
Herend’s warrior bird figurine was designed by ceramic industrial artist Kata Gácser during the thirties of the past century; this time, however, it was resurrected via the hand work of Herend artists József Heizer and Zsolt Bak, in a nearly one meter large, imposing size.
A porcelain worthy of a king, a trophy of victory - for the victors, the Lords, the Kings of the Air.