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Racing Drones: How to Build One in a Few Easy Steps

After revolutionizing the photography and film-making industries, it was inevitable that the racing industry would also feel the impact of drones. The most popular form of competitive drone racing is First Person View (FPV). Such events are quickly gaining traction among UAV enthusiasts and the mainstream media. With the backing of some wealthy benefactors, drone racing’s popularity is only set to rise. If you would like to head off to the races, read on to learn how to build a racing drone in a few easy steps.

Racing Drones Explained

Most racing drones tend to be quadcopters built with speed and agility in mind. In the case of FPV racing, the drones also have a camera and video transmission system that allows the pilot to see a first-person view of the UAVs flight path through a set of goggles. Racing drones are an exciting way to gain flight experience and fine-tune your maneuvering skills. For beginners, buying an assembled racing drone may be the best option. However, if you’re looking for a truly competitive edge then a self-built model is the way to go. Most professional pilots prefer to build their own machines because it allows them to completely customize their vehicle. Drone technology is still relatively new but innovations happen quickly. A self-built drone allows you to create the fastest drone possible at any given time.

Preparing for your Racing Drone Build

To get started, you’ll need to gather all the requisite parts, tools, and equipment. First step, consider the type of frame you would like to use. As mentioned above, a quadcopter frame is most favored by racers for its stability and versatility. A quadcopter has four arms, each fitted with a motor for flight. Popular frames include the Alien 5’’ FPV Frame, the Raceblade FPV Racing Quadcopter, and the MCQ One quad frame. Frames, on average, cost around $100. Once you choose your frame, you will also need to select: motors, propellers, antennas, a radio transmitter and a receiver, an on-board camera, batteries, and FPV goggles. As a general rule, your motor should achieve a 2:1 thrust to weight ratio. However, you should try and achieve a much higher ratio than this. Figures of 8:1 or 10:1 ratios are not uncommon in the world of drone racing.

Other Equipment Considerations

Cameras: Popular FPV cameras include brands such as FatShark, but a great starter package is the Eachine CMOS camera and transmitter kit at under $50.
Transmitters: Leading transmitter brands include Boscam and Crazepony which get you up and running for under $30.
Props: The best FPV props are those from Gemfan and market leader HQProp and will cost a mere $3 for two pairs.
Batteries: Larger batteries mean longer flight times but the extra weight could slow down your drone so always choose the best power source you can find. Top brands include TATTU and GensAce.
Goggles: If you are a new pilot, it is advisable to start off using your monitor as this allows you to quickly glance up to see the UAV during flight. Once you gain experience the best FPV goggles include the Aris Skyzone, FatShark Dominator, and models from HeadPlay.

It is also a good idea to purchase spare propellers and batteries as replacement parts in the event of crashes or loss of power. As for tools, a basic kit should include a soldier iron, screwdrivers, and a multi-meter for testing connections. Set aside a building area with enough space for you to work on your racer.

Building a Racing Drone

Now comes the exciting part, putting your vehicle together! If this is your first build and you have little experience with soldering it’s a good idea to practice before you work on your vehicle. Resources like YouTube are a great place to learn and find tips to refine your soldering skills. Remember, when building your racing drone, the two pairs of motors need to rotate in opposite directions in order for your UAV to fly. The muscle behind a speedy racer are the motors. Once attached, test the motors to confirm the rotational direction of each. After attaching your motors to the arms and frame, it is time to add your drone’s brain -- the flight controller. A drone’s flight controller board relays messages from your controller to the machine. Add the flight controller by soldering the connectors to the board. Once that's complete, it's time to add the battery by soldering it to the quad's base. Make sure to check for smoke or issues once the terminals are in place. Average Cost to Build a Racing Drone The cost of building a racing drone depends on a number of factors such as the quality of the parts, the ultimate use of the vehicle, and your budget. It is possible to build a fairly good racing drone for under $300. A mid-range kit can cost up to $500. While professional drone kits can easily exceed a thousand dollars; with parts and spares pushing that figure even higher in many instances. Of course, the very best pilots can win significant cash prizes, recognition and sponsorship opportunities. For those starting out in FPV racing there are tons of resources online that can help you pick up helpful tips and learn from the pros. Once your racer is completed, it is time to hone your skills as a pilot. The best racers dedicate hours of practice each week. There are now several budding drone racing leagues and an increasing number of pilots entering the field. There is plenty of opportunity for anyone looking to take up racing drones as a hobby or as a professional pursuit. Finish up your build and get yourself to the races!

Addicted to Speed: Drone Racing Captures a Growing Fan Base

Drones are proving indispensable for a wide variety of applications. From aerial photography and film-making to agriculture and search and rescue operations, drones are now firmly part of the mainstream. But there's another area where drones are starting to make a huge impact...the racing arena. Once simply a pastime for RC enthusiasts, drone racing is quickly emerging as a sport widely regarded as the "next big thing". And, why not? Drone racing features all the elements associated with big time racing: exotic locations, skilled pilots, high speeds, iconic courses, and, of course, wrecks. Plus, it now features all the other elements of organized leagues: television contracts, financial backers, big name sponsors, monetary prizes, and recognized racers. Drone racing has arrived.

Drone Racing League

In early 2015, the Drone Racing League (DRL) was founded and held its first race at Miami Sunlife Stadium. The league gained early success by securing serious backing from the likes of Miami Dolphins' owner Stephen Ross. The DRL season consists of races held at iconic locations throughout the world where pilots compete for season points. Those with the highest point totals qualify for the World Championship race, where the winner takes all. After a successful 2016 season, major sponsors such as German Financial services company Allianz joined as official sponsors.

Rise of Spectator Sports

The DRL involves skilled pilots flying souped-up quadcopters around specially designed three-dimensional courses at high speed. Part of the thrill of drone racing is the First Person View (FPV) viewers experience. Pilots control their drones by wearing special goggles that use the UAVs on-board cameras to relay FPV of the race. Though DRL is the most recognized, it is not the only official drone racing association. In fact, many start-ups are hard at work to try and stake their spot in the emerging spectator market. Similar to the unexpected success and growth achieved by competitive gaming (think, EA Sports), drone racing is another spectator sport that many would not have considered a sport not so long ago. EA Sports' events now regularly fill arenas and attract millions more viewers online. Drone racing seeks similar success.

Capturing a Growing Fan Base

While many enthusiasts around the world are starting to take notice of drone racing, nowhere is the sport already as popular as it is in the United States. Since its founding a little over 2 years ago, Drone Racing League raised over $12 million in finance and signed TV deals with major partners such as ESPN, Sky Sports, and MGM. These TV deals mean gaining access to a much bigger audience, further increasing the mainstream profile of the sport. Likewise, the US National Drone Racing Championship was created to foster the growth of the sport and its Drone Nationals event is also broadcast on ESPN. The Drone Nationals not only attract pro pilots but also UAV enthusiasts and students looking to grab their opportunity at a big cash prize or at the very least, their own 15 minutes of fame on national sports channels. DR1 is another drone racing league that pits professional pilots against each other in a variety of locations. DR1 races air on the Discovery Channel, Eurosport, and popular video games streaming website Twitch. Aside from mainstream TV coverage, drone racing has benefited from social media, which provides ease of access to race footage on sites such as YouTube.

The Future of Drone Racing

To a large extent, the future of drone racing depends on spectator engagement. These high speed races coupled with complex courses can be hard to follow. The FPV perspective certainly helps viewers with an immersive experience. As with other fast-paced sports, replays of action shots, crashes and pilot reactions creates also goes a long way. The maneuvers and skill showcased by the pilots are part of what draws spectators to the sport, plus, the inevitable crashes. It is this spectacle, alongside drone technology’s rise in prominence, that will continue to fuel the sports popularity. Although there is a broad range of drone racing organizations already out there, no one league has emerged as the main governing body. Rival leagues continue to work on rules, venues and increasing the number of spectators. Whether one organization emerges as the leading body or not, it’s clear that drone racing is here to stay.

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