Electrifying! Drone racing - the latest sport – now fundraising on Kickstarter
by Kim Megson | 05 Feb 2016
A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to fund a drone racing centre for the US city of Portland.
Entrepreneur Toby Johnson is trying to raise US$10,000 (€8,900, £6,800) by late March to develop a design for a facility that “may one day host the Drone Racing World Cup.”
First person view (FPV) drone racing is a relatively new sport where competitors fly miniature, camera-mounted multi-rotor drones as if they were sitting in the cockpit. Pilots race their machines at high speed around corners and obstacles by looking at a monitor or through immersive FPV goggles.
Johnson wants to build his track – which will host day and night racing – as an extension to a recreational skate park, high school football field and BMX bike track on the city’s NE 82nd Avenue.
“In Portland, drone racing is already starting to take off, but I believe it's still in its infancy,” said Johnson. “People who race drones right now are truly the pioneers of a new sport. They will be the ones who will define what FPV drone racing becomes.”
Johnson said if he meets his Kickstarter target, the money will fund the creation of a graphic design, architectural model, investor portfolio and a marketing strategy to “launch a much bigger campaign that can make this idea become a reality.”
“This is only the beginning of a long journey,” he said. “What I’m doing right now is nothing compared to what drone racing will eventually become years down the road.”
Drone racing drones design Kickstarter crowdfunding Portland Oregon FPV
First person view (FPV) drone racing is a relatively new sport where competitors fly miniature, camera-mounted multi-rotor drones as if they were sat in the cockpit Credit: Drone Racing League
Pilots race their machines at high speed around corners and obstacles by looking at a monitor or through immersive FPV goggles Credit: Drone Racing League
Miniature, multi-rotored drones are faster, stronger, smaller and more agile than ever before Credit: Drone Racing League
Johnson said: 'What I’m doing right now is nothing compared to what drone racing will eventually become years down the road' Credit: Drone Racing League
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A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to fund a drone racing centre for the US city of Portland. Entrepreneur Toby Johnson is trying to raise US$10,000 (€8,900, £6,800) by late March to develop a design for a facility that “may one day host the Drone Racing World Cup.” First person view (FPV) drone racing is a relatively new sport where competitors fly miniature, camera-mounted multi-rotor drones as if they were
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