Move over, Formula 1 and V8 Supercars, because a new Aussie motorsport is taking off – literally.
Dubbed Airspeeder, the sport – developed by Adelaide-based company Alauda Aeronautics – aims to give the world the first flying car races within 18 months.
Airspeeder uses specially-developed flying race cars – its first race in May, and its second race this month, are remote-controlled; however, manned races are planned for 2024, says CEO Matt Pearson.
“We can probably be the world’s most-exciting motorsport, watched by millions of people around the world, and (travel) the world with races all over the place.
“We’ve put about $10 million into the development into the vehicles and it’s been a real process. You can make something fly, that’s easy, but to make something race is a lot harder,” he told the ABC.
The circuit uses augmented reality combined with ground pylons to show the pilots where they’re going – though currently the vehicles can only stay in the air for around seven to 10 minutes.
No word as yet on whether any of the pilots are called “Jetson”.
