Drone Racing League signs Bud Light as first major sponsor

The Bud Light beer brand has agreed a deal to become the first major sponsor of the US-based Drone Racing League.

Bud Light will serve as the title sponsor of the 2017 DRL Tryouts, which will seek to find the next leading first-person-view drone racing pilot.

The announcement of the partnership coincided with the DRL unveiling its new drone racing simulator, which will be available to anyone with access to a computer and game controller.

Those wanting to enter the DRL Tryouts must be 21 or over. Hopefuls can download the racing simulator and fly its online tryout campaign to test their skills before entering.

The DRL Tryouts will feature four different maps from real-life DRL levels: Gates of Hell, Miami Lights, L.A.Pocalypse and Project Manhattan.

The top 24 eligible entrants will be invited to a live finals tournament in January for a chance to win a $75,000 (€68,800) professional contract to compete in the DRL's 2017 season. The winner will compete as the Bud Light Pilot.

“Since launching DRL in January, we've worked to bring the thrill of FPV drone racing to audiences around the globe,” DRL chief executive and founder Nicholas Horbaczewski said. “Partnering with Bud Light to launch the DRL racing simulator is incredibly special for the league, as we continue blending the virtual and real worlds to build the sport of the future.”