Part of Christchurch's red zone will take on a new use this weekend as racing drones speed through purpose-built obstacle courses there.
Photo: 123RF
Red Zone Drone Racing is holding an open day for beginners in the Burwood section of the red zone which is owned by the Crown.
Club spokesman Nathan van Slooten said racing drones can have a top speed of 160km/h going straight and can continue at 100km/h around corners.
"Crashes are a part of it - if you're not crashing, you're not pushing yourself hard enough. Of course you're not intending to crash but you're always pushing to go faster and faster. It's a good thing that most of us build our own because that makes it easier to sort them out."
Drone racing is taking off in the red zone. Photo: Christchurch City Council
Custom-built racing drones contain small cameras that feed data to goggles worn by racers - enabling them to steer their drone through a series of gates and poles with flags.
Van Slooten said people without their own racing drone can use the club's drone racing simulator to get a near-real experience.