As Drone Racing matures, so must the rules that govern the sport. With the end of the MultiGP 2017 drone racing season, MultiGP is preparing for 2018. As with any growing and maturing sport, certain questions come up, and drone racing is no different. Because drone racing is evolving, certain questions need to be addressed before the start of the 2018 season.
Moving Forward Toward 2018
In October MultiGP compiled the relevant questions and concerns from 2017 and published a survey covering these topics. This survey was available to all of our pilots to better get a consensus on the opinions of the drone racing community. Everything from battery cell count, to redrawing Regions, was covered in this survey.
1.) For the 2018 Regional Series Season, how would you like to see battery limits written?
66% in favor of keeping current 4s restrictions
Based on the responses from our pilots MultiGP is deciding to keep the battery cell restrictions at 4 cells. The vast majority of the competing pilots in MultiGP are flying with 4 cell batteries, and are content to keep doing so. There are some pilots experimenting with 5 cells, and more, but the current landscape of the sport is 4 cells. If the larger batteries catch on in popularity in the future the topic will be revisited.
2.) We are proposing a fixed season length: Starting Jan 1 through June/July, with all regional finals happening over the months of June/July. In this scenario do you prefer:
72% in favor of more individual qualifiers leading to a 2-day Regional Final (must prequalify to attend Final)
Based off of the information gathered in the MultiGP 2017 season, the decision has been made to restructure the Regional Series. The 2018 Regional Series will be modified to a fixed season length, with Regional Finals dates and locations established by MultiGP at the start of the season. This takes the burden of running the Finals off of the shoulders of the chapter organizers, and the fixed schedule will make it easier for pilots to plan their seasons. Regional Finals will also be extended to two days to better manage the event.
For more information on the new Regional Series format, please see 2018 Regional Series Walkthrough
3.) This year the total number of pilots invited to Championships was 146. Would you prefer:
76% in favor of no change in the number of pilots
The common consensus is that the numbers of pilots in the National Championship remain the same. The number of pilots being invited to the 2018 National Championship will not change. This amount is large enough to create an event worthy of the National Championship name, and still be manageable enough to be run smoothly.
4.) Qualification methods are currently broken up into these 4 categories: Defending Champion (1), Finalists (28), Serious 60, The List/UTT (60). Would you prefer to:
53% in favor of keeping the current categories
The current 4 category qualification system that was used for the 2017 season will be modified slightly for 2018. This is being done to streamline the process and make the make the Championship easier to understand. The Serious 60 and The List/UTT will be combined into The List. The List will be created from the Regional Finals results.The Defending Champion, the Finalists, and the top 125 pilots from The List will be invited to the National Championship.
For more information on the new Regional Series format, please see 2018 Regional Series Walkthrough
5.) Heads-up races are defined as “first to x laps on a tone start”. During a heads-up race do you prefer Nascar Rule or Everyone Finishes Rule?
56% in favor of Everyone Finishes Rule
The spirit of racing is that every competitor puts all that they have into the race in hopes of victory. The last thing that anyone wants is a situation where pilots are intentionally going slower in the hopes that others crash out ahead of them, often referred to as sandbagging. The Everyone Finishes Rule creates these sorts of opportunities. In order to preserve the spirit of competition, MultiGP has decided to use the NASCAR Rule for the 2018 Regional Series. When the leader crosses onto their final lap, everyone crosses onto their final lap.
6.) Some regions have expressed the desire to redraw region boundaries. Are you in favor of:
76% in favor of redrawing Regions
In order to further simplify the 2018 Regional Series MultiGP has decided to redraw the Regions. The overall number of Regions will be reduced to six:
- North West
- North Central
- North East
- South West
- South Central
- South East
For more information on the new Regional Series format, please see 2018 Regional Series Walkthrough
7.) There have been some cases of “poaching” qualifier slots from other regions. Also, traveling to multiple regions to hedge one’s chances at obtaining a qualifier slot. Are you in favor of declaring a home region at the start of the season?
66% favor pilot having to select their region beforehand. Pilots should not be allowed to secure qualifier slots in more than one region.
All pilots that are planning to compete in the 2018 Regional Series declare their “Home” region. This will be the only region that the pilot will be able to qualify for the Regional Finals in. Pilots will not be allowed to compete in multiple Regions. This eliminates the possibility of a pilot qualifying for multiple Regional Finals.
For more information on the new Regional Series format, please see 2018 Regional Series Walkthrough
About MultiGP:
MultiGP is the largest professional drone racing league in the world. Because of this, MultiGP hosts frequent competitive gatherings and casual events within its extensive network. The Organization currently has over 20,000 registered pilots in addition to 500 active chapters worldwide. MultiGP nurtures its Chapters by providing tools, guidance and community support. These programs make drone racing fun, organized and rewarding for pilots, Chapter Organizers, and spectators. MultiGP has created multiple programs designed to allow the drone racing community to compete in an easily accessible yet structured format. Because of MultiGP’s efforts, it is the Academy of Model Aeronautics Special Interest Group for First Person View (FPV) Racing. For more information, go to www.MultiGP.com.
To learn more about MultiGP drone racing, and how you can get involved, join us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/MultiGPCommunity/ and on Twitter – @Multi_GP
