Airspeeder, the world’s first flying car racing series, have said that races will occur in late 2020 with a view of scheduling a full Grand Prix championship season soon afterwards.
The Speeders are powered by all-electric powertrains that are reported to have a top speed of 200 kph and can hover anywhere between 5 and 40 metres above the ground.
The series has already undergone several unmanned tests and organisers Alauda have said that final ‘manned’ test flights will go ahead in the South Australian desert once the coronavirus-induced lockdown restrictions have been lifted.
The series will feature rapid electric pitstops and short head-to-head races set to begin later this year with locations to be revealed shortly.
“Traditional motorsport fans will certainly recognise many elements of our race series,” Matt Pearson, founder of Alauda and the Airspeeder series, told Euronews.
“The plan is to have distinct teams, pit-stops, pilots and a focus on delivering the sport to as many fans as possible through globally broadcasted live streams.
“However, we do differ in the sense that Alauda, the manufacturing arm of our company, will develop the technology and set the regulations. This means that there will be [a] significant focus on the skill of the pilot and exceptional race strategy.”
Pearson added that Airspeeder will inspire the automotive and motor racing world in much the same way as Formula E has.
“Electrification may answer many of the questions internal combustion cannot. By racing these flying cars we are moving towards an ‘electric vehicle future’, much in the same way Formula E has inspired increasing uptake for electric cars.
“This really is a motorsport that answers the demands of a more conscious generation.”