"Flying car races are no longer just reserved for computer games and science fiction movies, now they are hitting the real world ! "

Flying car races are no longer just reserved for computer games and science fiction movies, now they are hitting the real world. The organisers behind the world’s first motorsport series for flying electric cars, Airspeeder, say the races are expected to take place in 2020, with a view to scheduling a full Grand Prix championship season soon after. Meanwhile, they have "bold ambitions to accelerate a revolution in sustainable transport," the founder of the race, Matt Pearson told Euronews Living.

Once restrictions related to the coronavirus crisis are lifted, the Speeders (flying electric cars) will be further tested - they have already undergone successful unmanned tests using a remote control. A team of test pilots recruited from the US Air Force and Martin Aviation are in charge of the MK3 prototype, which is set to be trialled in the Mojave Desert, California. The Speeders can gain up to 200 kph at full speed and fly between 5-40 metres off the ground. The company responsible, Alauda, is based in Adelaide, South Australia, and plans to house a growing team of technical specialists drawn from leading names in the aerospace, motorsport and engineering spheres. Rolls-Royce and Babcock Aviation are both on the list, keen to get involved. Their vision is to provide multiple teams and manufacturers with the hardware they need to create the flying cars, and the freedom to set strategy and draft in pilots.

IS THIS REALLY GOING TO BE THE FORMULA 1 FOR FLYING CARS?
"Traditional motorsport fans will certainly recognise many elements of our race series," says Matt Pearson, founder of Alauda and the Airspeeder series. Pearson continues, 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 believes motorsport fans will be "very inspired" by this approach. In every sense, "this is motorsport for the 21st century," he says, adding "it will inspire people who are native to E-Sports as well as the more traditional motorsport fan."