A planned drone racing event in Ararat was interrupted by wintery conditions on Saturday.
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The full-day event was restricted to just a short practice period before heavy rain prompted a premature end to the racing at the Grampians Model Flying Club.
It was the first event hosted by Ararat with the day planned by pilot Nathaniel Kuchel.
Despite the weather, Kuchel said the event was a success and it looks set to become an annual fixture on the calendar.
“All the pilots who came up for it said they found it fun and it was a good social event to catch up with other pilots,” he said.
“They said they were all really keen to come back again next year and hopefully we have better conditions for the next one.”
The event attracted about 20 pilots to Ararat which showed potential for how big future events could get in Ararat.
Kuchel said the number of people who went down and watched surprised him.
“It was a pretty good turnout, it surprised me a bit because I did not expect as many people to come down and have a look,” he said.
“It will be an annual event now I think, and some people are even saying we should look at trying to host multiple events each year which is something we may look at down the track.”
Plans are already underway for the 2019 event with a date chance likely to try and avoid further weather disruptions.
“We will host the event in March next year, before Easter,” Kuchel said.
“The next event we are hoping to attract 30 or 40 pilots which is a gradual increase from this one which would be good.”
While the racing action was reduced, the feedback on the course was positive for Kuchel who designed it to cater for all skill levels.
“Up until lunch time, we were going out little by little to set up the track then there was a break in the weather where everyone could have a few practice runs before the heavy rain came,” he said.
“They all said they enjoyed the track and we will use a similar one again next year.”
Most of the pilots who competed in Ararat will now be up in Sydney for the Australian Open event where 97 pilots are set to fight it out for the title at Australia’s biggest drone racing event.
It is the first time Kuchel will compete at the event with some uncertainty surround him and how he will go.
He said he is just hoping to have fun and continue to learn and improve as a pilot.
I am hoping to reach the top 32 and get through to the finals on Sunday and if I can do that, i’ll be happy,” he said.
The three-day event which includes other activities to compliment the drone racing starts on Friday and finishes with the finals on Sunday afternoon.