Drone Racing
So, what exactly is drone racing?
For those who aren’t in the know, drone racing is a highly competitive and popular sport in which contestants pilot drones around a designated course. A point system is used to reward competitors, taking in factors such as piloting skill and the length of time taken to pass designated checkpoints. It began in Australia as a friendly contest between fellow enthusiasts, but it has since grown exponentially worldwide. Professional drone racing these days is a highly specialized sport, but there are also smaller leagues and competitions open to amateurs. These are a great way to hone your skills and build up to tackling the big leagues.
Popular drone racing competitions
One of the biggest organizations in the field is the Drone Racing League– this league is also the basis for a popular TV show which airs on ESPN and on various sporting networks in over 75 countries around the world. But if you are looking for a more amateur-friendly setting, a better option might be MultiGP, which has over 500 chapters worldwide and is a great way to meet and associate with fellow enthusiasts. They operate both highly competitive tournaments and more casual free-fly events, so whatever your level of interest and expertise, this is a good way to break into the drone subculture.
Recommended gear and accessories
Apart from the obvious (the drone itself), there are a whole host of accessories which will enhance the drone racing experience. Depending on your budget, you could always accessorize the rotors and landing pads with anti-vibration pads to protect the vehicle itself. Alternatively, enhanced antennae will give you greater control over your drone over larger distances. It all depends on personal preference, and just what level of precision you look for in your control systems.
Best racing drones
So where do you start? Well, the Walkera F210 Professional Racer offers good value for money and tight controls, so it’s a good bet for the beginner. Meanwhile, the Arris FPV250 offers speed and maneuvrability, but also sturdiness and durability. But perhaps the best option is the Hubsan X4 Storm, which offers the most accessible overall experience. Features to look out for are speed but also ease of control and above all strength and solid build. Another thing to remember is that while pretty much any variety of drone is acceptable for beginners, professionals almost exclusively favor the FPV variety.
FPV drones
FPV or “First Person Video” drones are a particular sub-type which are built with a mounted camera. Pilots then wear headsets which include a digital display, so that they experience a first person view of piloting their drone via live stream. This is naturally a lot more challenging, but many would argue that it’s more exciting too, giving you an adrenalin fueled rush as you take to the skies. FPV drone races are some of the most popular and most competitive. Some professional leagues even incorporate headsets for spectators as well as pilots, so everybody can get a more up close and personal experience of the race. Because the level of control a pilot can exert depends entirely on the speed and quality of the display, it is essential that sufficient time and care is taken when selecting the display headset. Different brands offer features like a wider field of view, enhanced recording functionality as well as multiple frequency settings.
Drone racing course design
Drone race courses are naturally a complex business, as they are three-dimensional and incorporate all manner of obstacles to challenge competitors. They can be housed both indoors and outdoors, and typically feature tunnels and walls, as well as flags and cones to delineate the circuit. They utilize a combination of man-made and natural features to offer variety and excitement to the racers. Typically the starting line will be on a straight portion of the course, to provide a smooth start point. But once the race is underway, the course will take in different height levels, hairpins and intricate corners. Above all, safety is the most important consideration- both of the participants and spectators. With this in mind, most courses will include fenced off areas for spectators and thick nets to alleviate the risk of damaged drones.
