Flying Car Racing is Here?

Flying car racing is an exhilarating and futuristic motorsport that combines the thrill of traditional racing with the excitement of aviation. In this high-tech competition, specially designed flying cars equipped with advanced aerodynamic features and propulsion systems navigate through a three-dimensional racecourse in the sky. 

Last month we saw Airspeeder test their newest craft MK3, with the first-ever 3-way electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) race located in Stonefield Airfield, South Australia. In first came Zephatali Walsh, followed by his teammates Bruno Senna, a former F1 driver, and Lexie Janson, the world’s first female flying car racer.

Let’s hear the thoughts of Lexie on the future of flying car racing in FuturePlay’s newest Youtube video.

How does it work?

These crafts navigated through a series of virtual reality gates. The VR gates, strategically positioned in the sky, create a dynamic track that challenges the pilots to adapt swiftly to the twists and turns, adding an extra layer of complexity to the race. These VR gates are added on top of the already used FPV(first-person view) feed to add a more realistic view for the racers.

What sets this aircraft apart is the utilization of GPS technology to synchronize the track’s movement with the crafts. As the airspeeders zoom through the sky, the track seamlessly adjusts its layout in real-time, creating an updated course in FPV.

The spectator experience is also up to date, no longer confined to traditional static viewpoints, viewers can now witness the race through screens displaying the pilot’s perspective. This allows fans from around the world to immerse themselves in the action.

While these crafts are unmanned, the current testing uses cameras and sensors to let us fly these crafts without any risk to the pilots. The use of VR and GPS creates a track for the viewers and constantly updates giving the effect of a real track.

Read More: Flying Car Racing Deep Dive

When is the future?

Major projects from industry leaders are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and are working tirelessly to make flying cars not only a reality, but a part of everyday life. Lexie believes the Airspeeder is at the forefront of this technological revolution because it has undergone the most testing and flights.

How can you be a part of it?

For those who want to partake in the action, the path to becoming a flying car pilot may already be paved, promising an exciting convergence of technology and adrenaline-fueled competition. Thanks to technology like FPV drone racing and Esports, the training ground for the next generation of pilots is expanding.

This is where Zeph started his journey, with FPV drone racing. In an interview, Zeph stated “ I was looking at tech to offset the fact that I wasn’t surfing anymore.”

If drone racing is not for you, Celeros, an esports game may be good for you. This means you could eventually exchange your simulator or game into a real aircraft. This makes flying car racing the ultimate Machina Sport – the human and the machine. 

Imagine testing you skills on a drone racing circuit. Mastering the art of navigation and developing split-second decisions to control your craft at high speeds. Not only is the machine important, but the skills, precision, and passion of the pilots about racing.

With technology advancing, it has never been easier to become one of the pilots and to take part in something before mainstream adoption.

Do we need flying cars?

As automotive visionary Henry Ford once remarked, “Auto racing began five minutes after the second car was built.” Flying cars have potential use cases ranging from personal transportation to reaching remote areas, and getting to emergencies quicker. However, it’s not merely about practical applications; it’s about the human desire to turn the mundane into the extraordinary. Drawing inspiration from iconic scenes like pod racing in Star Wars, flying car racing promises to elevate our collective fascination with speed and innovation to new heights.

The future, and hopefully the near future, looks bright for both sport and mainstream use of these flying cars. Lexie has already witnessed people who have seen or heard about these flying car races. She is optimistic and asks an intriguing question, “What if we start seeing flying cars zooming through our cities?” A moment that would be marked in history, “When future meets the present.”