Mandurah-based drone racer Owen Littleton piloted his way to a top-four finish at the Australian Drone Racing Nationals in Queensland over the weekend.
Littleton went into the competition eyeing a top-10 finish and out-flew his own expectations on his way to claiming the title of fourth-best drone racer in the country, along with $250 of prize money.
A total of 64 pilots took to Queensland for the national event, which was trimmed to 32 after day one.
From there it continued as a knockout-based tournament, with Littleton earning his way to the top four before crashing out in his final race.
The result comes off the back of a ninth-place finish at the Australian Open.
Teammate Terry Johnson, who also competed in the national event, said the result was a huge achievement for Littleton.
“It’s really awesome for Owen. He went in hoping for a finish around top 10, top eight, so to finish fourth shows how well he went,” he said.
“Unfortunately he crashed out in his final race and probably would have finished second or third, but he was pumped to be in the top four and it was a really good run.”
WATCH: Dan Burnett’s freestyle drone flight
Littleton and Johnson both compete locally at the West Coast Multirotor Club in Madora Bay.
The club’s next local event is an open day for those interested in learning more about drone racing, set to be held on Saturday, August 12, at Charlie and Dorothy Coote Reserve.
They will also race round five of the Buzz Hobbies Cup on August 26.
For more information, search for the club on Facebook.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
