flying car

‘Speeder’ flying car

Motorsport for the 21st century: Flying car races on the horizon

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Airspeeder co-founder Matt Pearson said 2020 was a significant year for the industry with the company set to host full-scale flying car races in the Australian outback.

flying car

‘Speeder’ flying car

The notion of cars racing across the sky has traditionally been the domain of computer games and science fiction movies, but now they are set for take off in the real world.

Airspeeder, the organisers behind the world’s first motorsport series for flying electric cars, say the races are expected to take place in 2020, with a view to scheduling a full Grand Prix championship season soon thereafter. 

Airspeed co-founder Matt Pearson says they have “bold ambitions to accelerate a revolution in sustainable transport.” 

“This is motorsport for the 21st century. It will inspire people who are native to E-Sports as well as the more traditional motorsport fan.”

IS THIS REALLY GOING TO BE THE FORMULA 1 FOR FLYING CARS?

“Traditional motorsport fans will certainly recognise many elements of our race series,” continues Pearson.  

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 significant focus on the skill of the pilot and exceptional race strategy.” 

Pearson’s company says it has already conducted successful unmanned tests via 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 flying cars, dubbed Speeders, can gain up to 200 kph at full speed and fly between 5-40 metres off the ground.

“In economic terms, the eVTOL (Electrical Vertical Take Off and Landing) sector has the potential to be worth €1.37 trillion (($ 1.5 trillion) by 2040.”

Some of the biggest names in aviation, technology and automotive, including Rolls Royce and Babcock Aviation, are said to be “keen” on getting on board with Airspeed and Alauda.