All around the U.S., there are local drone racing chapters that are growing in size. Today, the Tulsa Multicopters MultiGP chapter is staging its largest race of the year. Pilots have been participating in their events on smaller terms all across the nation.
Ever since they partnered up with MultiGP, the chapter has been holding races since January and the number of pilots participating has slowly been rising the entire time.
Patrick Forringer tries to explain the surge in popularity in the drone racing scene.
“[There] are probably a good portion of people that grew up wishing they could fly fighter jets or pod racers,” Forringer said. “Drone racing is gaining in popularity due to the ease of access and miniaturization of the technology needed to build [drones].”
Drone racing is, while still on the expensive side for a hobby, a much lower cost alternative to racing in cars or motorcycles. Also, since you are sitting in a chair up to a mile away from the drone you are controlling, pilot error will almost never end up with a life being lost or injured.
The Tulsa Multicopters event is to be held this afternoon in Mounds, Oklahoma. More information can be found about it here