DR1 Racing and Spin Master’s Air Hogs Collaborate to Expand Appeal of Drone Racing

Entertainment company Spin Master Corp.  and DR1 Racing, the drone racing series, have announced a partnership involving the Air Hogs brand of remote control vehicles. As a result,  Air Hogs will be present in all three of the DR1 Racing series in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

The partnership will kick off with the DR1 Micro Drone Racing Series, presented by Air Hogs, a series of races that will have pilots flying a smaller class of drones (micros) through extraordinary courses. DR1 Racing will be producing the series along with Rotor Riot, a lifestyle brand that produces compelling content in and around the drone racing culture. The series will debut in 2017 on EuroSport and on Twitch.tv.

A recently announced global distribution deal between DR1 Racing and EuroSport will bring the company’s three racing series to over 70 countries next year, establishing DR1 Racing as the global leader in drone racing.

“Air Hogs is the perfect brand and partner to help validate this emerging sport,” says Brad Foxhoven, DR1 Racing’s Founder. “We are excited about how this partnership will provide fans and aspiring pilots a way to engage with the sport.”

Air Hogs have enabled young pilots to take flight for over 15 years. The brand is committed to helping those same young fans emulate the incredible pilots they see on DR1 Racing with new products designed to make it easy to get into the sport, challenge themselves and learn to race like a pro.

It begins with the launch of its first toy race product, the Air Hogs Helix Race Drone (Ages 8+, SRP $59.99), a high-speed drone for young pilots who want to learn to race in the fall of this year. The durable drone features beginner and advanced modes, making it a perfect way for eager fans of the sport to practice.

Drone race fans can also see a new national commercial showcasing the Air Hogs Helix Race Drone airing this month. The commercial was produced in partnership with DR1 Racing and features DR1 Racing pilots to show off the product’s abilities.

“Drone racing is an incredible mix of innovation and skill, with DR1 Racing highlighting the very best of both,” says Conor Forkan, Vice President Marketing and Product Development, RC Global Business Unit, ‎Spin Master Ltd. “This is an ideal partnership as both DR1 and Air Hogs are excited to grow the sport and bring in new pilots at all levels. We are committed to supporting drone racing in a big way and to making drone racing the sport of the future.”

Drone racing has seen a rapid uptake in countries around the world with pilots and viewers alike hooked on the fast action of the skills-based sport. Racing through obstacles on epic tracks with first-person view drones, pilots experience the adrenaline rush of an extreme high-speed sport without the risk of injury, taking their fans along for an amazing ride. For Air Hogs, pioneers in remote control flight, drone racing allows their fans to get one step closer to being in the cockpit.

DR1 Racing is a leading and innovative drone racing league committed to bringing its professional pilots, amateurs and fans the absolute best and most adrenaline-fueled drone racing experiences in the world. As the sport has developed global recognition, DR1 has shone a light on the incredible pilots who are leading the way. The new partnership will see both brands further showcase these successful pilots through the new Air Hogs Move of the Race replay, which will be seen in all DR1 Racing broadcasts through the 2017 season.

Promo for Air Hogs