When Wisconsin’s ?rst indoor professional drone racing competition over ice comes to the Pettit National Ice Center on April 29th, experienced drone pilots from around the country will have some drone racing students to thank for the idea, according to Monica Van Aken, Head of Milwaukee Montessori School.
“Drones are very popular right now, and they’ve helped our students embrace technology, creativity, and teamwork resulting in winning ?rst place in one of the world's most competitive international drone racing contests,” said Van Aken. “We thought, if the students love this, wouldn’t it be great if Wisconsin had a unique professional drone racing competition where families and everyone could watch the pros race and also be inspired?”
The school has partnered with MultiGP – the world’s largest professional drone racing league, to host the Ice Storm Drone Racing Competition at the Pettit National Ice Center Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. The most celebrated professional drone pilots in the world will race over ice from one end of the facility to the other competing for $25,000 in cash prizes.
“Thousands of drone racing competitions are held each year, but less than 5% are indoors, and this one will be especially unique stretched over two indoor Olympic-size ice rinks connected by a 20X20 corridor,” said Roger Bess of MultiGP. “Spectators will have a chance to see thrilling professional racing as the drones crush speeds of more than 90 miles per hour over the ice. This sport has widespread popularity with young people because it combines the thrill of ?ight with precise eye/hand coordination, quick thinking and creativity to maneuver hairpin turns. It will literally be entertainment at a mile a minute.”
MultiGP indicates more than 50 drone pilots have already entered the competition from Wisconsin, New York, Florida, California, Alaska, Montana, and as far away as Toronto and South Korea.
Some of the top professionals competing will include:
- Evan “HeadsUp” Turner, two-time DRL World Champ and three-time MultiGP Champ
- Alex “CaptainVanover” 2019 Drone Racing Leagues World Champion
- 21-year-old Mason “Hyper” Lively; the MultiGP 2021 Tiny Trainer Spec Champ
- 18-year-old Minchan Kim, who will be visiting from South Korea and is the Drone Champions League MVP Pilot of the year in 2020 and 2021
The drone pilots control their aircraft by wearing head mounted First Person View (FPV) goggles that put the view from the drone camera right in front of their eyes. Since most FPV goggles also support an audience mode, spectators and judges can also view the pilot’s footage in real-time.
“To be a professional drone racer, you need to have fast re?exes on the sticks, be ready to ?y every day possible, and practice all types of courses,” said Brian Melton, a professional drone pilot from Brook?eld, WI. “This event allows us to practice on a novel, super-fast track. The space is perfect as pilots have designated workspace to repair the equipment that we will inevitably break (or crash) during our races, and we have a schedule that allows pilots enough time to repeat the process over and over again. Plus, with all of the other world-famous pilots attending, we’ll be able to see all of the latest new drone tech and of course spend a lot of time studying the competition to know their strengths and weaknesses.”
“As part of our overall commitment to the community, we are proud that we are the host location for this ?rst-of-its-kind competition over the ice at the Pettit National Ice Center,” said Kevin Butler, PNIC spokesperson. “This family friendly event provides yet another opportunity for everyone to enjoy our facility in a new and unique way.”
Viewing areas will be available along the route and the races will also be projected on the Pettit’s large viewing screens. Access to the drone pilots and their aircraft will occur between events so enthusiasts can learn more about the sport.
Tickets to the competition are $10 a day and children 5 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.wisconsindroneracing.com.
Sponsors for the event include We Energies Foundation, Marshall Auto Body, S3Aero Defense, Drone Zone, Warren Community College Drone Team, and the Kubiak and Shafer Families.
Location
Ice Storm Drone Racing Competition
Pettit National Ice Center
500 S 84th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53214
Racing Days/Times
Friday, April 29 4:00pm - 10:00pm Prizes for all ?rst and second place racers
Saturday, April 30 9:00am - 10:00pm All day racing
Sunday May 1 9:00am - 10:00pm Finals champs against champs
About Milwaukee Montessori School
Milwaukee Montessori School, established in 1961 is a private independent day school educating toddlers through 8th-grade students. MMS is dedicated to expanding the human potential of all children for the purpose of educating them for a freer, safer, world. The work of our faculty and sta? advances our ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, personal freedom, solidarity with those at the periphery of society, the well-being of our planet, and educating children to become informed, engaged, ethically minded citizens for the world that they will inherit. Visit www.milwaukee-montessori.org
About MultiGP
MultiGP is the largest professional drone racing league in the world. With more than 30,000 registered drone pilots and 760 international chapters, MultiGP is the only drone racing league with clear and available methods for participation and advancement within the league. Competitions regularly occur among chapter members in the U.S., Australia, Asia, South Africa and throughout Europe. For more information visit www.multigp.com.
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