HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-03-30, Page 3Drone Races flourish at REACH centre
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Scully and David French put
on a few races locally to start.
Since then, their events have
grown from meetups to the
Canadian Drone Nationals
which has over 100 pilots com-
peting from across Canada and
several international racers.
French exclaims, "The sport has
grown fast! We have come a long
way in just two years."
The first races FPV staged
built them a good reputation as
they were so well organized.
French proudly states, "We were
doing the quickest turnarounds
between heats:' They were hired
to run races in the United States,
including the Georgia Dome F3
Expo, the world's first team race
in the Thunder Dome.
One of the racers who trav-
elled from New York City to the
local FPV races went on to found
The Drone Racing League that
went on to invest in the World
Drone Prix.
FPV Racing Events do several
meetups and races per year.
When they are hired by others to
stage races the team is responsi-
ble for race management, course
design, course build and to actu-
ally run the races. French admits
that they are in an enviable posi-
tion as there are "lots vying to be
the top of the race industry:'
French explained that there
were not as many professional
racers at the Clinton event as
many were competing in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates at the
Dubai World Drone Prix. French
adds, "the guys who compete
from this group are in the top 16
in the world:'
The next time FPV Racing
Events will be in Clinton will be
The racers joked that the lounge at the REACH centre is where they spent
most of their time during the Drone Races held in Clinton March 11-12.
This was not to take breaks, but to prepare and repair their quads between
races. The lounge was very much the race pit with parts and gadgets
spread out on practically every table.
The centre two quads take longer to take off from the launch pad at the
beginning of a race. The outside two quads have already risen to take on
the skill -testing obstacle course at the REACH centre in Clinton on March
12.
for International Drone Day and
series championships for the
Winter Barnburner Drone Rac-
ing Series at the REACH centre
May 6-7. French says, `Attending
these events is the best way for
someone to get to know about
the sport. It is an opportunity to
talk to the top drone racing peo-
ple in the industry.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2016 • News Record 3
Valerie Gillies Photos Clinton News Record
The announcer area at the REACH centre in Clinton was transformed into a command
centre for the drone races that took place March 11-12. The officials and announcer are
in the forefront while the racers sit behind the receivers that communicate what each
drone sees to the goggles of the corresponding racer. In the foreground a racer, with his
drone controller strapped around his neck, has his goggles raised to work on a part in
preparation for a race.
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