What is the IDRA?

So what is it you ask? Maybe the coolest thing I have seen in a while. “IDRA stands for The International Drone Racing Association (IDRA), the leading global organization in first-person-view drone racing.” There is no doubt that drones is all the rage right now and dominating a lot of media coverage. so much so that ESPN 3 has just announced that it has signed a multi-year distribution deal that will bring the new sport to all their viewers.

Drone racing gives anyone the ability to fly like a superhero," says Dr. Scot Refsland, Chairman of the IDRA. "Because everyone can experience the thrill of racing as if they were sitting in the drone cockpit, the sport is skyrocketing. To go from a first ever, US national drone race to partnering with ESPN for international distribution in eight months is truly a sign of great things ahead."

The first IDRA event to be showcased by ESPN, the 2016 U.S. National Drone Racing Championships, will crown the coveted title of fastest drone pilot in the United States. The race will be held on Governors Island, New York City, August 5^th-7^th, offering jaw-dropping views of both lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. The U.S. National Drone Racing Championships will have an enjoyable summer festival atmosphere that racing fans appreciate—family entertainment, a ‘makers’ style drone racing area for kids, state-of-the-art technology, food, drink, and drone vendors.

"We look forward to providing drone racing fans a larger platform to access this exciting world," said Matthew Volk, ESPN Director, Programming & Acquisitions. "Drone racing is an opportunity to reach and connect with a growing and passionate audience."

The 2016 U.S. National Drone Racing Championships and the 2016 World Drone Racing Championships in October will be streamed live on ESPN3 and, following each event, will be televised as a one hour special on an ESPN network.

 

I will need to tell the wide I need a bigger TV so I can watch drone racing more effectively! Can’t wait to see the crashes!