At the Dubai World Drone Prix, where a UK teen won the $250K grand prize

DUBAI—As the dust settles on Dubai’s World Drone Prix, the first truly global drone-racing event, it’s one of the youngest pilots on the scene who walks away with the top prize. 15-year-old Luke Bannister, flying for the UK-based Tornado X-Blades team, out-performed 150 global teams here in Dubai to become the first World Drone Prix champion, netting a cool $250,000 (£175,000) in the process.

British teen Luke Bannister, who went on to win the grand prix and claim a $250,000 prize. Credit: David Stock

Chad Nowak, of team Rotor Riot Credit: David Stock

The event, held on Dubai’s Gulf coast, saw 150 pilots battle through the week for just 32 spots in the finals, which were held last Friday and Saturday on a custom-built, outdoor track. "Luke was always a threat," says Australian pilot Chad Nowak who won a major tournament in Sacramento, USA, last year and flies for Rotor Riot here in Dubai. "He’s so fast, and doesn’t have the fear or the nerves that the older pilots can have," he says.

Nowak lost out to Bannister in an exciting semi-final race, where four evenly matched pilots jostled for position throughout. Pushed to their limit, three of the four pilots eventually crashed, leaving Bannister the only pilot holding his nerve to complete the course. Despite losing, Nowak wasn’t too upset. "That was a great race," he enthused afterwards. "It felt like we were really pushing the limit of what each other could do, and the crowd were responding, too. They were loving it. I was loving it," he says.

A drone flies the purpose-built course Credit: David Stock

One of the viewing stations dotted around the grandstand, with some first-person-view headsets, for those who want to experience the race from a pilot's perspective Credit: David Stock

Dubai is one of the first drone-racing events to really cater for spectators. Held at night to maximise the visual appeal, the purpose-built track was spectacularly lit and the drones’ LEDs were set to one of four colours, making it much easier to follow the action on-track. Spectators could watch a multi-camera view on big screens, too, or even watch through one of the many first-person-view (FPV) goggles placed around the track for a truly immersive, pilots-eye perspective.

And, if that wasn’t enough, commentary was provided by top pilots such as Nowak and Steele Davis to help introduce the pilots, explain the intricacies of the sport, and give perspective on some of the tactical decisions being made by the teams.

One of the Tornado X-Blades quadcopters sits on a table prior to a race Credit: David Stock

The races themselves, designed around a technical track configuration, were quite different from a normal race. "Normally drone races are flat-out sprints, but here it comes down to those with the best tactics," says Nowak. "This event has so many variables to consider: battery power, pit changes, track routes and setups," adds Luke Bannister.

To make matters worse, some parts of the track could be moved, variably restricting its width. And elsewhere a shortcut and difficult (but compulsory) "joker" lane added to the excitement and tactical considerations. The pilots were required to complete 12 laps of the 780-metre (2560ft) course, meaning teams required at least one, often more, pit stops to change over the lithium-polymer power cells. This can make or break a race and adds to spectator excitement.

For example, in a tense day-one heat, Bannister was up against Dutch Drone Race Team SQG pilot, Dino Joghi, who was holding pole position for much of the race. A late battery change and fast turnaround in the end stages of the race allowed Bannister to push hard on the final laps, eventually overtaking Joghi to take the win, much to the crowd's delight.

Down on the drone racing course, before a race Credit: David Stock

Luke Bannister celebrates winning with his team Credit: David Stock

Bannister’s final race was more straightforward, although not easy—these were the best of the best, after all. Up against Dubai’s own DroneTek, Russia’s VS Meshcheriakov and Netherland’s Drone Race Team SQG, Bannister led from early on and dominated for much of the race. Even after losing track position following pit changes, he was able to quickly catch and overtake the competition, often in places that others might not dare. Bannister was having so much fun, it seems, that he forgot to stop at the end of the race and continued onto his 13th lap, causing much confusion in the pit lane.

Luke was ecstatic with his win. "It’s crazy, amazing, I’d like to thank my whole team," he blurted, prompting another round of cheering and chanting from his Tornado X-Blades crew, proud of their gifted helmsman. What are you looking forward to now? I ask him. "Flying in a nice, quiet open field," he says, possibly overwhelmed by the sheer scale and enthusiasm for the event.

Minchan Kim, of team Giga 5 Minchan. Quite a backdrop, eh? Credit: David Stock

The final race of the Dubai World Drone Prix

One of the chairs that would usually have a drone pilot seated - but in this case, a chance for a photo op from one of the sport's younger fans. Credit: David Stock

2016 looks set to be a huge year for drone racing. The Dubai World Drone Prix was undoubtedly spectacular, but the US and UK are both planning to scale up their operations this year with the Drone Racing League and the British FPV Racing Association.

The next major event is probably the World Drone Racing Championships, which will be held in Hawaii in October. Ars Technica will most likely be there.

To find out more about first-person drone racing, read our introductory piece from last year.

David Stock is a photographer based in London.