Flying Car Racing Series Approaches Liftoff

Later this year, a new sport will take flight using four propellers and an electric engine.

Think of it as the Formula 1 of the skies. 

Flying car producer Alauda is launching the Airspeeder racing series after announcing a successful test flight earlier this month. It will host a race with remotely piloted vehicles in 2021, with crewed races planned for 2022.

The races will happen on electronically created tracks at heights of up to 131 feet and speeds of 124 miles per hour. 

“This is a sport born in the streaming era, and beauty is a requirement in everything we do,” said Alauda and Airspeeder founder Matthew Pearson.

What looks like a video game come to life may grow into a massive new industry: Morgan Stanley estimates that the flying car market could reach $1.5 trillion by 2040, more than half the current global automobile market of $2.7 trillion.

Airspeeder announced a partnership with watchmaker IWC earlier this month. It also partners with shipping company DHL — which has sponsored drone racing competitions — and technology company Acronis.

Pearson hopes to use the competition to promote the acceptance and technological underpinnings of the flying car industry.

“Flying cars are an essential part of the future we have been promised for so long,” he said.