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“The entire riverfront is mesmerized,” said Peter Hanna, 36, of Madison Heights. “It’s bringing in everyone. This is what the city needs.”

After gusts canceled qualifying runs Saturday and training runs Friday, Sunday’s blue skies and near 80-degree temperatures made for a perfect day for flying. More than 100,000 tickets were sold for the event this weekend that drew people to the Detroit and Windsor waterfronts. Those without tickets packed parking garages and other nooks they could find that lined the river.

The throngs ranged from airplane aficionados to curious locals who have seen the races featured on television. The crowd quickly became experts of the fast sport, often commenting about the turns and speed control.

“That’s Nigel. He’s the bad boy right here,” said Mike Schultz, 52, of Brighton, before British pilot Nigel Lamb was disqualified for flying too low through a gate.

Chambliss was among 12 acrobatic pilots looking for the top spot on the podium. The fliers had to weave their way in and out of pylons on a narrow 3.8-mile course, reaching speeds of up to 265 miles per hour.

Bonhomme retained the overall lead in the points standings with 26, while Chambliss ended up in a three-way tie at 21 points with Hannes Arch of Austria and U.S. pilot Mike Mangold. There are seven more races before the season ends on an Australian course in November.

The race’s rounds consist of Training, Qualifying, Point One, Super Eights, Semifinals, 3rd Place Fly-Off and the Final. Each pilot competes in two qualifying sessions, where the better result determines the lineup for the race, with the slowest pilot flying first. As the rounds progress, the slowest pilots are eliminated until the last two face off in the Final.

The race will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit at 6 p.m. July 27 and again on Oct. 5.

Onlookers also were treated to old-time bombers flying in tight diamond formation and skydivers descending at more than 100 mph. But the clear favorite of the crowd was a low-flying jet thundering at near supersonic speeds.

“I was kind of scared and excited at the same time,” said 11-year-old Evan Heithecker of Oak Park.

Even for aviation veterans, the planes were impressive. Robert Martinson, 71, of Suttons Bay has been to several air shows.

“It really is a wower,” Martinson said. “There’s nothing like seeing anything for real.”