Airspeeder racing series launches at Goodwood

Set to launch in 2020, AIrspeeder will see 10 pilots from five teams face off in purpose-built flying vehicles capable of hitting speeds up to 200km/h. Each quadcopter will be four metres long, weighing in the region of 250kg. They will be propelled by eight 50kw motors driving 60-inch blades, with power provided by swappable 500kw battery packs that can provide full thrust for around 15 minutes. It’s envisioned that races will mirror the early years of Formula E, with a single pit stop/battery swap enabling sprint-style contests lasting 30 minutes in total. 

The new motorsport series is the brainchild of Australian startup Alauda Racing, which will act as the sole manufacturer for Airspeeder’s launch. As well as the chassis, battery technology, motors and software, Alauda will also deliver the safety and collision-avoidance systems. The safety package will include an augmented reality vision system that allows the pilot to ‘see through’ the craft’s body, providing enhanced visibility when overtaking or manoeuvring next to opponents where line of sight is impeded.