Flying for the UK-based Tornado X-Blades team, Luke out-performed 150 global teams in Dubai to become the first World Drone Prix champion, bringing home (£175,000) in the process ( $250,000 ).
150 pilots battled through the week for just 32 spots in the finals, which were held last Friday and Saturday on a custom-built, outdoor track.
“Luke was always a threat,” says Australian pilot Chad Nowak who won a major tournament in Sacramento, USA, last year and flies for Rotor Riot here in Dubai. “He’s so fast, and doesn’t have the fear or the nerves that the older pilots can have,” he says.
Four evenly matched pilots fought for position throughout. Pushed to their limit, three of the four pilots eventually crashed, leaving Bannister the only pilot holding his nerve to complete the course. Despite losing, Nowak wasn’t too upset.
“That was a great race,” he enthused afterwards. “It felt like we were really pushing the limit of what each other could do, and the crowd were responding, too. They were loving it. I was loving it,” he says
You can see Luke on the impressive track which has been refered to a roller coaster , with slick lighting and dips and turns.
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcBaYAmRoXc
Luke Bannister’s team, Tornado X-Blades Banni UK wins £174,000.at first World Drone Prix in Dubai.
