Why You Should Have A Drone Photographer As A Racing Driver

Why You Should Have A Drone Photographer As A Racing Driver

Why You Should Have A Drone Photographer As A Racing Driver

Lucy Wyndham
30 May 2019

Drone Photography equipment by Aaron Burden

One of the most pivotal moments in any racing driver’s career is having footage as they make their way through hairpins and chicanes. Drones are perfect for this kind of photography and even when two operators are required to cover the track, a $5,000 investment is a far cry from hiring an entire videography team that will take around 30 employees. The setup of a drone video is hassle-free and won’t require expensive and cumbersome rigging. This is good to know for those who don’t always have control over the environment, such as where the race is being held.

Unrivalled Aerial Footage

For a race car driver, the form is an integral part of their strategy. While ordinary videography might lend a hand as to the angles and timing of taking corners, an aerial shot can make a tremendous difference. For race car drivers, it usually takes a substantial investment to get those aerial shots as normal video cameras will have to be mounted on scaffolding, dolly tracks, and tripods. While this gives a certain amount of manoeuvrability, it still doesn’t allow quite as much freedom as a drone. In some instance, the drone may be allowed to fly directly overhead for a different perspective.

Even If The Budget Doesn’t Feel The Pinch, The Environment Will

Before drones, the perfect aerial shot was often achieved with the help of helicopters. Pilots would follow the action down below, but there was a price. Drivers could hardly afford to carry the cost of the video themselves and had to be happy with the few moments they have on film. Not only was this an expensive pursuit, but also placed quite a strain on the environment due to noise pollution and fuel. Drones provide some relief for the environment by capturing the best moments without even a fraction of the resources a helicopter would. Drivers can also request more footage time, thanks to the cost of hiring a drone and the unique perspective the drone gets from its aerial advantage is worth the effort.

Fast And Customisable

Not every race is the same and drone operators who are able to adjust their setup according to the speed and level of action on the track, will provide video quality that seems unreal. Small and nippy drones that allow operators to get up close and personal to the cars are quite handy on a fast-paced track, while bigger drones are great to get an overall perspective on the track. This is especially handy for race types that involve clouds of dust such as rally or dirt racing. For a driver, nothing allows better negotiating room with a prospective racing team or sponsor than actual footage of their capabilities.

Drones are changing the way drivers showcase their talents without the hassle and stress of cumbersome videography gear. Video footage captured by drones is free from the guilt of excess, as it places far less strain on the environment and the pocket.