Participants get ready for a drone racing competition in Tianjin on April 25, 2018. (Photo provided to China Daily)
He added that the pilots race custom-built first person view or FPV drones at more than 144 km/h, seeing a live video feed in a pair of goggles from a camera mounted on their drone, while the fans can watch the racing live at the events and at home online, immersing themselves in DRL's high-speed action.
"There is a tremendous opportunity for DRL in China. Last year, Nielsen reported that a whopping 17 percent of people under the age of 30 were already interested in drone racing. By bringing DRL to China, we'll be showing them drone racing as they've never seen it before, with the best pilots racing the fastest drones on the biggest courses," said Horbaczewski.
"We are excited to see so much piloting talent emerging in China, and I'm positive you'll see the emergence of China's first-ever professional pilot in 2019," he said, adding that people will be able to see racing live at DRL events staged in China in the future.
Currently watched by 57 million fans in 90 countries and regions on top sports networks, including Sky Sports and FOX Sports Asia, DRL's high-speed drone races will position Youku as the ultimate destination for innovative robotic sports.
Because this is the first time the sport of the future has been brought to China, DRL is focused on teaming up with the right, strategic partners to help it establish and cultivate a local fan base who will grow with DRL as it grows, according to Horbaczewski.
"Youku will also work with us to bring the first DRL race to China, offering incredible, unique opportunities for Chinese brands to integrate straight into the sport of the future, and meaningfully engage with our fast growing, local and global fan base," he said.
Committed to expanding professional FPV racing in China, Youku will work closely with DRL to recruit local Chinese pilots for the 2019 season through a private, US-based tryouts race and the 2020 season through a live streamed e-sports tournament on a true-to-life drone racing sim, the DRL Simulator, and develop reality-show inspired content with the league's superstars.
In Horbaczewski's view, China has an incredibly talented local community of drone racers, and DLR is excited to welcome the best Chinese pilots to the league.
