Beyond the Track: The Next Generation of Motorsports

Airspeeder is not just about innovative machinery, but also about the extraordinary pilots shaping the future of motorsports.  Pilots not only need exceptional flying skills, but they must also have a keen understanding of cutting-edge electric vehicle technology.  These individuals must undergo rigorous training to become Airspeeder pilots including the use of high-tech flight simulators as well as intense physical training.  A diverse field of racers will take part, ranging from social media influencers and FPV drone pilots to Bruno Senna, the accomplished racing driver and nephew of Formula One icon Ayrton Senna.

The inaugural Airspeeder EXA Series race took place in 2022 and consisted of one drag race followed by three circuit races held throughout South Australia. Pilots used remote stations to immerse themselves in a first-person perspective, replicating the sensation of being in the cockpit. Utilizing an augmented reality system, the racetrack layout is projected onto the pilot’s monitors, providing a real-time, virtual racecourse. The first few races consisted of two Airspeeders competing against each other but by the last two races there were three Airspeeder Mk3 aircraft jockeying for pole position above the South Australian desert. Australian pro surfer and FPV drone racer, Zephatali Walsh, dominated the competition and became the winner of the first ever Airspeeder EXA Racing Series.

Alauda Aeronautics has already started working on the Airspeeder Mk4, which will become the first manned version of the racer.  The next generation eVTOL is expected to have a top speed of a whopping 225 miles per hour and be nimble enough to navigate the challenging courses and racing conditions.  Testing of the aircraft has already begun, and the company hopes to have it ready for the beginning of the 2024 racing season.