LONDON: The Airspeeder race has made its public debut at this week's largest automotive garden party - the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The airborne motorsport for a new generation of race fans involving full-size quadcopters began at the drop of a flag.

The launch of the event featured two MkII prototype Speeders racing head-to-head up to 100kph with an average altitude of 4m above the ground took to the air to give spectators an idea of what to expect.

The first manned Airspeeder World Championship will begin in 2020 with five teams and ten pilots.


During the unveiling, the Australian start-up behind AirSpeeder was introduced, along with the globally broadcast series’ global title sponsor Equals and money management solutions provider formerly known as FairFX.

With the backing of Equals and official logistics partner DHL, Alauda Racing will use Airspeeder as a platform to develop ‘flying cars’ for commercial use.

The series will tour the world and the Grand Prix will be held at iconic motorsport venues with the series to be broadcasted live to a global audience.

Initially, each Grand Prix will feature head-to-head racing between ten pilots competing for five teams.

Races will take place under rules similar to Formula E, so each race is likely to involve around 30 minutes of flat-out action and include one pit-stop for a battery swap.

The MkIV octocopters, or Speeders, that will eventually compete in the first Airspeeder Grand Prix, will begin manned demonstration flights in the Mojave Desert later this year.

Each will likely hit speeds of up to 200kph and offer a power-to-weight ratio superior to a fighter jet.

The Airspeeder concept developed by Alauda Racing took four years to come to fruition With a team consisting of aerospace engineers, designers, pilots and entrepreneurs.

The speeders use carbon fibre and other alloys in its construction.

Initially, Alauda Racing will be the sole manufacturer, offering a rigorously-tested chassis and body, robust battery technology and motors as well as standardised software.

This will include the company's own IP, including safety and collision-avoidance systems deemed vital to ensuring pilot safety.

The speeders took its design inspiration from competition cars during the 'golden age' of motor racing with a streamlined look.

Each Mk IV Speeder will be 4,000mm-long and weigh roughly 250kg while getting propulsion from eight 50kW motors driving 60-inch blades, with power provided by swappable 500kw battery packs that can provide full thrust for about 15 minutes.

Each speeder is said to be packed with state-of-the-art collision avoidance systems and software to manage power delivery and battery efficiency.

Also, a new approach is needed to ensure fast but safe flight which is why a built-in augmented reality vision system will allow pilots to ‘see through’ the craft’s body in order to provide maximum visibility when manoeuvring and overtaking Speeders out-of-sight underneath the level of the cockpit.

“Our vision sees not just the development of a unique sporting spectacle but also the start of a new industry, with flying cars built for competition providing an ideal environment for innovation and technical evolution,” said Airspeeder founder and CEO Matt Pearson.

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