DUBAI // Drone racing may sound like the sport of the future but it is coming to Dubai this month.
The World Drone Prix will take place on March 11 and 12 at Skydive Dubai, with entrants being decided through an X Factor-style contest beforehand.
More than 100 international racing teams will arrive in Dubai earlier in the week and compete for two days to qualify for a top 32 spot in the finals.
An obstacle course will test the teams’ engineering and piloting prowess as they navigate the course at speeds exceeding 100 kph.
“We are extremely proud and thrilled to have all the international and local competitors race in Dubai, and are looking forward to introducing the public to a new sport that is open to participants of all ages, genders and abilities,” said Omar Al Olama, secretary general of event organiser World Organisation of Racing Drones.
The Dubai track will be the first custom built track to be featured in the World Drone Prix final, said Mr Al Olama.
Cash prizes will be awarded for several categories including best team, fastest lap time, best freestyle display and best engineering.
“We are very excited to see the efforts of this project come to fruition in an unified vision for the future of aerial racing, and are honoured to be a part of the World Drone Prix,” said Ryo Rex, Founder of Aerial Grand Prix.
“We have no doubt the world will see what the future holds on March 11.”
He said there was much enthusiasm for drones in the UAE after last year Drones for Good award attracted more than 1,000 submissions from 165 countries.
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