Drone racers to fly through Cedar Rapids Saturday

CEDAR RAPIDS - Drone racing is slowly gaining interest across the country, and Cedar Rapids residents will have a chance to see it for themselves this weekend.

About 40 racers are expected at Seminole Valley Park from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday to compete in the Midwest Drone Battle, a drone racing invitational hosted by MultiGP region 3A, a chapter of the national organization that hosts drone races around the country.

Will Dobbins, regional coordinator for MultiGP region 3A, said the event aims to build interest in the sport among racers and the general public.

'We want to build awareness for drones, and show that they can be used safely in a very public and visible fashion,” Dobbins said.

First person view drone racing is a sport in which pilots aim to guide quadcopters through obstacle courses faster than their opponents. When flying drones, pilots wear goggles that display a live feed from a camera attached to the front of the drone, enabling the pilot to see the drone's course through a first-person perspective, according to the Drone Racing League.

Saturday's course is designed to test speed, agility and ability to hurdle technical challenges.

Each pilot will compete in five heats with the four highest scores determining the racer's final score. Cash prizes will be awarded to those who place in the top three overall.

While the sport continues to gain in popularity across the country in recent years, it started formally in Iowa two years ago when the region 3A chapter was founded, Dobbins said.

Nowadays, there are roughly 1,000 drone racing chapters and more than 17,000 registered pilots around the world, according to MultiGP.

Dobbins said the first ever Midwest Drone Battle took place last May, with 24 pilots competing in Marion.

'It was a great experience,” Dobbins said. 'We decided we wanted to make it even bigger this year.”

The event is free to attend for spectators.

Registration for pilots is filled, but there is a waitlist for those who'd like to have a chance at participating. Cost to compete is $50. To register, go to rcflightdeck.com and click on 'Find” and then 'Find an Event.” Registration closes at 12:30 a.m. Friday.

l Comments: (319) 368-8536; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com

If You Go

' What: Midwest Drone Battle

' When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

' Where: Seminole Valley Park, at the end of Seminole Valley Road NE, Cedar Rapids

' Cost: Free for spectators