0:00:05 > 0:00:08This is Blue Peter, but mini.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Expect epic adventures, makes, bakes,
0:00:11 > 0:00:15badges, pets, presenters and your post.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23It's taking the tech world by storm.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25MOTORS WHINE
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Blink...and you might miss it.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29And it's so cool.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Look, I'm wearing sunglasses. It's not even sunny.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33This...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35is drone racing!
0:00:38 > 0:00:39I told you it was cool!
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles
0:00:45 > 0:00:48that are often used to capture amazing footage like this -
0:00:48 > 0:00:51gentle, dreamy shots. Lovely.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54But when it comes to racing them, it's all about speed.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58So, in a race, drones must complete four laps
0:00:58 > 0:01:00of this specially-designed course.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02They have to fly at about two metres above the ground,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04and they go very, very quickly.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Simply, the fastest drone wins.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13The man in charge of the Drone Racing League in the UK is Nigel.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Drones have become very popular over the last year, 18 months,
0:01:16 > 0:01:18and people want to race them.
0:01:18 > 0:01:19And this is one of the racing drones?
0:01:19 > 0:01:20This is a racing drone, yeah.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Camera on the front there, that's what the pilots see.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25In the middle is the flight controller,
0:01:25 > 0:01:27the little computer that runs everything.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32And on the back is a battery to run the four motors and propellers.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34They can have everything set up and ready to race
0:01:34 > 0:01:37for less than the cost of a games console, believe it or not.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Can't fly these in your back garden, there are rules about drones.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42It's about being sensible with them.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44We encourage people to come to model clubs like this one.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46There, you can learn to fly them properly.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49And just get out there and have a go - that's the best bit.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52But, before I have a go, I need to learn how to fly these things.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55And the way it is done is so awesome.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58It's called first person view, or FPV.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03Racers wear wraparound goggles that receive a video link from the drone.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Basically, a drone's-eye view.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08And this is what it looks like.
0:02:08 > 0:02:09Unbelievable.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12And, to show me how it all works,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Luke is one of the UK's best drone racers.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18So I'm going to watch you flying as you fly?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20If you're going to do what I know you can do,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- I'll need to sit down for this. - All right.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23OK, Grandad's ready.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29'So I've tuned into Luke's feed, and he is fast.'
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Oh, my goodness. That is insane.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34It's like watching a really cool computer game.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Oh, mate, mate, mate! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43So can you talk me through what I'm seeing here,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45apart from my life flashing before my eyes?
0:02:45 > 0:02:49You're seeing me going through gates at about a metre off the ground...
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- Yeah?- ..and probably around 40mph speeds. I can go faster.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55But I'm going to have to come in and land now, cos my battery's out.
0:02:55 > 0:02:56That's fine by me.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Your battery might be out - my stomach's gone.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Cor, that was phenomenal.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Now it's my turn to give it a go.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04What could possibly go wrong?
0:03:04 > 0:03:07MUSIC: Robot Rock by Daft Punk
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Nice. Push forward gently.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- See, as long as you keep moving forward, it's a lot easier.- OK.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- It goes up really high, really quick, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- So now you should be able to see us. - Oh, this is weird.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20It actually makes you feel a bit dizzy.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Oh, that was weird. I just made myself feel really sick.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26It's hard, cos you've got no...
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- concept at all of where you are. - Yeah.
0:03:28 > 0:03:29Pfft!
0:03:29 > 0:03:31'This is really tough.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34'It does actually take a lot of practice to crack this technique.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37'I'm struggling to keep the drone under control,
0:03:37 > 0:03:38'let alone go around the course.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40'Whoops.'
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- I think I'm probably going to be better if I fly without FPV.- Yeah.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45I do feel a bit seasick. It's weird. It's really strange.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47But fun. I mean, so much fun to use.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49You've got to try it, you've got to give it a go.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51So, my challenge.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55How many laps can Luke complete in the time it takes me to do one?
0:03:55 > 0:04:00The course is made up of four gates, and has two tight bends.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Up for the challenge, some of Britain's best racers -
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Adam, Luke, Lewis
0:04:06 > 0:04:09and me, minus the goggles.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10Bring it on.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16OK, here we go, bringing drone racing to the masses...
0:04:16 > 0:04:18in three, two, one.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Go!
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Luke and Adam fly off the start, and leave me behind.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25But there's a problem for Lewis. MOTORS STRUGGLE
0:04:25 > 0:04:26Wipe-out!
0:04:28 > 0:04:31I'm just... I'm just going for a fly over that side for now.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34'Even without the goggles, it's not going to plan.
0:04:34 > 0:04:35'Oh, the sun's come out!
0:04:36 > 0:04:38'Luke is absolutely flying.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40'I'm struggling to go under the first gate,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42'and he's already done a lap.'
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Go on, Luke. I'm with you, buddy.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47'Aw, look, a tractor.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49'Oh, I can see my house!
0:04:50 > 0:04:53'Back to the real race, and Luke is clocking up the laps.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54'And so is Adam.
0:04:56 > 0:04:57'But then this happens...
0:04:58 > 0:04:59'Adam is out.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01'Let's see that again.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02'Oh-ho, unlucky!
0:05:02 > 0:05:05'That just leaves me and Luke left in it.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10'All right, show-off! Luke's even doing flips now.'
0:05:11 > 0:05:12Barney, have you done a lap yet?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I'm just on my way round, yeah.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16'This is it, the final bend.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19'Luke is so fast, going under every single gate...
0:05:20 > 0:05:23'..and here comes Barney, finally landing.'
0:05:23 > 0:05:25He finally completes his lap!
0:05:25 > 0:05:27It took me 20 minutes.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Luke did 12 laps in the time it took me to do one.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32But that's why we've got a champion on our hands.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37So there you have it - drone racing. It was fast, it was cool.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Luke did 12 laps, I did one.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41That doesn't matter, it's all about the practice.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44In fact, do you mind? Can I just borrow your...
0:05:44 > 0:05:45your winning drone there, Luke? Thank you.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Just going to have one more go. Well, two more. Two more goes.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50I just have three, um...
0:05:50 > 0:05:51four more goes on it, just...
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Join in every Thursday on CBBC.