Show off your drone in championship

The Rand Show will be hosting the 2017 championships of a sport that some have likened to Formula One racing, just in three dimensions. On the last two days of the show, from April 22-23, the airspace above the arena will be buzzing with drones participating in the 2017 SA Drone Open Class Nationals,

The event is run by Fly FPV SA, a special interest group under the South African Model Aircraft Association (SAMAA). Drone racing, or officially First Person View (FPV) racing, is the fastest-growing “techno-sport” in the world.

In this sport, high-tech drones, or quadcopters, compete against each other in edge-of-your-seat races around a prescribed race track, passing through arched gates and around flags and obstacles at speeds of more than 150km/h. Pilots get an up-close (and often stomach-churning) view of the breakneck action through futuristic video goggles, which relay a wireless video feed from the tiny camera mounted on their radio-controlled quadcopters.

The 2017 SA Drone Open Class Nationals will begin with qualifier races on Thursday and Friday, April 20-21. On the closing weekend, qualifying pilots will compete in the final.

This will consist of timed circuit races on a purpose-built track, where several contenders will vie for the fastest time in each race. At the end of the four-day competition, the pilot with the best time will be crowned the SA Champion in openclass drone racing.

For more information

visit randshow.co.za to get all the latest information on what’s happening with this event and the show this year.