Drone racing: the new sport that could go sky high

It is barely a professional pursuit, yet quadcopter flying has attracted wealthy benefactors, million-dollar TV deals and famous investors. Those on the inside are convinced fame and fortune lie ahead

Drones aren't just for snooping on Bin Laden showering in the Tora Bora mountains. The idea of racing them has been embedded in pop culture for ages, but it's only recently that the sport has started to form itself into something recognisably professional. Landmarks have come thick and fast in the past year, most notably with the $1m (760,000) Dubai World Drone Prix in March.

Now, the fledgling sport is about to reach Britain. Sky has decided to invest $1m into a US drone-racing formula, run by a former Tough Mudder executive; 10 episodes of the Drone Racing League will be shown on Sky Sports Mix. The deal also paves the way for a British drone race, at a venue yet to be decided.