Drone Exhibition and Borneo FPV Drone Race to be held concurrently at Curtin Malaysia on 26 October

Miri – 23 October 2019 – The Curtin Drone Racing Club, a student-run club of drone racing enthusiasts at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), will be hosting a Drone Exhibition and concurrent Borneo FPV (First Person View) Drone Race at the university campus on 26 October 2019.

Members of the public, especially drone and radio control (RC) hobbyists, are invited to view showcases of different types of drones or quadcopters and other RC-related machines at the exhibition, as well as witness thrilling displays of drone racing by pilots from Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei during the drone race from 9 am to 3 pm at the university’s Frisbee field.

They will also get to the chance to try out some of the drones, including flying drones in first person view (FPV) and enjoying the sensation of flying in the air.

The opening of both events will be officiated by Pro-Chancellor of Curtin Malaysia, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.

Drone racing is an emerging motorsport globally and also becoming increasingly popular here in Sarawak. The racing drones are equipped with cameras and the pilots wear headsets that stream a live camera feed directly from the drone in flight, thus allowing pilots a ‘first person view’ as if they are piloting the drone in the air.

Curtin Drone Racing Club president and event organising chairman Tee Yi Kiat said that the race will require pilots to fly their drones through a series of ‘gates’ or obstacles in the shortest amount of time. The pilot who takes the shortest amount of time to pass through all the gates will win the race.

The race will kick off with a racers’ practice session at about 10 am, followed by preliminary heats and a Free Style Contest in the morning, and the semi-finals and finals in the afternoon, before closing with a prize presentation and closing ceremony at approximately 2.30 pm. In addition, there will be ‘Fun-Fly’ sessions (free-to-fly sessions where everyone can fly their RC machines) between the events.

The race is a collaboration between the Curtin Drone Racing Club and members from the RC Flying Club of Lutong, Miri and supported by Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, DFS Drones for Speed, Crowe Malaysia, E-Toys Permyjaya, Project Zen, Borneo Quadsquad, MYYHobby, MultiGP Borneo and the Student Council of Curtin Malaysia.

Tee added that the race was aimed at gathering drone racers from different places in Borneo and creating an opportunity for drone racers and drone enthusiasts to interact and share their drone experiences.

“The event will not only involve competition and interaction between drone racers and enthusiasts but also help promote the hobby to the local community, including students and staff at Curtin Malaysia,” remarked Tee.

Meanwhile, the exhibition, which will end at about 3 pm, will also feature an “Explore Curtin’ drone filming session where the public can observe an FPV aerial video of the university campus being filmed.

For more information about the Drone Exhibition and Borneo FPV Drone Race, contact Tee Yi Kiat at 016-725 8105 or event vice-organising chairman Lucas Voon at 019-892 1089.

Borneo FPV Drone Race to take place at Curtin Malaysia campus this Saturday.

Members of the Curtin Drone Racing Club with some of their racing drones.