Record-setting crowds expected at Orange County drone races

COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) -- Two days of adrenaline-fueled, nonstop action, and the unparalleled access to the most cutting-edge products kicked off Saturday at the 14th annual Radio Control Expo in Costa Mesa.

The main event taking place at the Orange County Fair and Event Center features the high flying, high-speed action of drone racing.

"This is going to be the biggest drone race, as far as spectators goes, in the world," Jose Licea with Space One FPV said. "So now we get to test the pilots' nerves."

More than 30 of the best drone racers in the world used first person view, or FPV technology, to compete.

The new technology is just the latest innovation in a rapidly changing field.

"It's moving so fast. Every day the technology is being updated, you have to be on the front lines and work with the latest technology," Licea said.

One of the more unique things about the FPV drone racing is that spectators can put on special goggles to see exactly what the pilot is seeing from the drone's perspective.

In the video player above, ABC7's Greg Lee shows us the action from the drone races.