You can check out the promotional video for the Drone Racing League below.
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Each quadcopter drone is remote controlled by its racer with the aid of First Person Video, in which footage from cameras mounted to the front of the drone is streamed in real time to a headset worn by the racer controlling the drone. Though still in its fledgling stages, DRL hopes to one day fill stadiums with fans and spectators to enjoy drone racing. Seems like a stretch, but still, pretty cool. Pilots race regulation drones in a series of heats, reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour.
The budding pastime even has a professional organization aptly named the Drone Racing League, which aims to be the Formula 1 of the drone-racing world.
The league is also using a competitive structure similar to downhill skiing to ensure pilots get a fair shot. News of the investment comes via Nick Horbaczewski of The Drone Racing League (DRL) and he says that Bellamy is amongst a small group of investors that have helped the league raise roughly $8 million. The drones are lit with identifying colors that make them easier to see at a distance.
Ultimately, he has ambitions of becoming a digital Nascar (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) for drones.
Three more races will follow, with a World Championship coming afterwards. The race season will last five races, after which a world champion will be crowned.
Right now, it’s a niche hobby with drones flying over 100km/hr amongst enthusiasts who can afford the relatively expensive venture. Each drone costs a couple hundred of dollars to assemble, Horbaczewksi said.
DRL’s season-opener will take place on February 22 at the NFL Miami Lights Sun Life Stadium, where the drones will compete to make it through the three-dimensional race course.
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Although drone racing has a long way to go before it’s the next big thing on ESPN – I mean come on, it’s taken them this long to take notice of eSports – drone racing is likely the next step for drone enthusiasts, especially those who’d rather race than take pictures.
