Drones are fascinating - they allow us to see the world from above and capture some breathtaking shots!
They can follow you in mid-air, and give videographers endless opportunities for different scenes and views.
But drones are not only fun, flying cameras - they have actually created a whole new sport!
Drone Racing was officially established in 2012, and major tournaments (the Drone Racing League) have even aired on TV in 2016.
Like the name suggests, people race their drones over a specified course in this tournament, showcasing their drone's speed and their drone flying abilities.
It's actually a lot more difficult than it sounds!
The course features some obstacles and checkpoints which the drones have to fly through, and controlling them at such a high speed needs a lot of practice.
The pilots wear special glasses allowing them to control the drone from a first-person view, as if they were really flying through the obstacle course themselves.
The first season of the drone racing show premiered on ESPN in 2016, and was watched by over 28 million people!
What started as a fun hobby and became a sport is suddenly becoming a job opportunity and a real entertainment niche.
Nick Horbaczewski, CEO of the Drone Racing League, even stated that some drone pilots were able to quit their regular jobs and become full-time drone racers due to the immense success of the TV show.
Of course, the drones used in these tournaments aren't just any regular drones - meet the fastest drone in the world!
The "Racer 3" was actually custom built by the Drone Racing League, and it has only one purpose which it fulfills perfectly: this is the fastest racing drone in the world.
It can go from 0 to 128km/h (80 mph) in less than ONE SECOND!
In comparison: even the fastest Formula 1 cars can only go from 0 to 96km/h (60mph) in over 1.5 seconds.
It's compact and light, and features a polycarbonate shell with a 5k carbon-fiber midplate.
Integrated are over 200 LED's, giving the drone a futuristic look and a colorful glow in the dark.
The next Drone Racing world championships will take place in 6 races across different countries in 2017.
Insurance brand Allianz have actually become the main sponsor, partnering with the Drone Racing League for 5 years.
"This is an incredibly exciting day for The Drone Racing League and a huge leap forward for professional drone racing. To DRL, Allianz is bringing world-renowned brand credibility and a proud history of innovative sports partnerships, including an extensive tradition in auto racing, and an undeniable proof point that the sport of the future has arrived. The scale and long-term nature of the deal shows Allianz’s genuine commitment to advancing the sport and will accelerate the introduction of drone racing to audiences around the world."-Nick Horbaczewski, CEO of Drone Racing League
I'm excited to see how this years drone racing championship will turn out - with faster drones and even crazier obstacle courses!
Images: 1, 2, 3, Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4
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