London Hosts Its First Indoor 'Fast And Furious-Style' FPV Drone Racing Tournament

London Just Hosted A Fast And Furious-Style Drone Race And It Looks Amazing
|

London hosted its first indoor FPV (first-person view ) drone racing tournament on Sunday.

31 eager pilots came together at a warehouse in Whitechapel to qualify for a place in the national championships that take place next year.

Hosted by the FPV League, pilots raced their drones in pairs around a set course.

Open Image Modal

The contestants were advised to fly 180-size quadcopters, wearing a virtual reality-style headset that was receiving a video feed from the drone.

Each craft can reach an estimated speed of 60 miles per hour although the league does have its own set of rules on the drone specs.

The first qualifying FPV drone racing course took place in East Grinstead and Sunday's event saw four semi-finalists qualify for the nationals.

One keen drone-racer told Ars Technica that the race puts him in "an entirely new dimension" with his surroundings.

Matt Denham, a racer from Haywards Heath, said “It’s about as close to being a bird as you can get.”

Photographer Dave Stock captured the race on Sunday:

London drone racing
Pilots watch others race through goggles(01 of09)
Open Image Modal
(credit:davestockphoto.co.uk)
Two drones take off at the start of their heat(02 of09)
Open Image Modal
(credit:davestockphoto.co.uk)
A crashed drone on the urban cours(03 of09)
Open Image Modal
(credit:davestockphoto.co.uk)
Racing quads and equpment between races(04 of09)
Open Image Modal
Pilots relax with their equipment between races(05 of09)
Open Image Modal
(credit:davestockphoto.co.uk)
A drone in flight(06 of09)
Open Image Modal
(credit:davestockphoto.co.uk)
Drone awaits the start of a race(07 of09)
Open Image Modal
(credit:davestockphoto.co.uk)
A drone is placed on the startiing line(08 of09)
Open Image Modal
(credit:davestockphoto.co.uk)
A pilot controls their craft(09 of09)
Open Image Modal
(credit:davestockphoto.co.uk)