Reliving the BDRA 5 inch Champs 2026
The time had come to find out who was the fastest drone racing pilot in the UK. After a summer's worth of qualifying competitions, months of planning, choosing our favourite JCBs and a trip to Buckminster to collect all the equipment, the big weekend was finally here. And, of course, it was a typically soggy start to the British Championships.
The Track
Hosted in the quarry of JCB, the track was something truly unique. Designed to incorporate all the different levels of the quarry and multiple JCB machines, this track was more like a SIM race than your typical grassy field with gates. With huge elevation gain provided by the cherry picker holding a gate way up in the sky, and using the arm of an excavator and a backhoe digger as gates, this race brought a video game back to reality.
It was a visceral experience to hear the quarry walls echoing with tortured motors, drones zipping past solid metal machines and occasionally the groan of the pilots as someone thwacked into an earthy mound. Well received by all the pilots, the track posed a special challenge worthy of the Champs. The risk of hitting a JCB meant the stakes were high if the pilots wanted to fly fast and take the win.
Right out of the gate was a slalom around a JCB backhoe. Its rear digging arm was raised to create one of the most solid turn flags any drone would ever hit. Then the BDRA volunteers had suspended a gate in free space beneath a boom lift cherry picker. This really tested the pilots' nerves as they took their quads to full throttle towards a concrete wall before climbing sharply to the gate.
At about 15 m above the quarry floor, this was a huge elevation gain unseen in any previous British Champs. From there they dropped straight back to earth in a huge split-S before meeting a house-sized JCB excavator. Using the digging arm as a gate, they flew under and then over the excavator before a huge punch-out across the quarry to the top of the ladder.
Spiralling clockwise down while avoiding the guy wires, they headed to the back of the quarry to find a few Scottish “Burly” gates. These gates sat adjacent to a flag, forcing a tight 270-degree spiral upwards. A short distance later, half a corkscrew manoeuvre into a straight run led them to the next “Burly”, before a long, fast slalom past the starting blocks, under the backhoe digging arm and back to the starting gate.
Qualification
While the track was completely unprecedented, the one thing that was entirely expected for a British Champs was rain at the start of qualification. Not knowing how long it was going to continue, the eager pilots went out for a couple of rounds in the rain to learn this incredible track.
The pilots were aiming to set their best time over three consecutive laps. This really pushed the pilots to fly consistently, drawing out the best skill on the sticks. Flying fast is easy; there is plenty of power in these 6S rocket ships. Guiding them reliably around a technical course without hitting anything is the real challenge.
Luckily, the weather cleared in the second half of the day and the top qualification times started to fall. The pilots got into their groove, managed their batteries well and were mostly on time to their spotting duties. The rounds progressed quickly, resulting in 10 qualifying rounds on Day 1.
But it was not all plain sailing...
The two hot favourites for the championship title, FPV GILBERT and RAZBRI, pushed each other faster and faster through qualifying until both suffered huge crashes into the flying gate. Each hit the bottom crossbar and went tumbling to the quarry floor, destroying their qualifying runs and damaging their quads.
In the commentary box later, FPV GILBERT said he “heard a monstrous noise…” and knew RAZBRI had gone down. As he came around the cherry picker, he made the exact same mistake. Both pilots were left hoping their damaged machines could be repaired in time for the finals.
The crashes highlighted just how little margin for error there was around the JCB machinery. These were heavy engineering machines made from thick steel plates, and neither pilot nor quad would get any mercy from a collision at speed.
Only one pilot came particularly close. ARMIT took an inspection tour of the underside of the excavator after missing a turn flag and tumbling beneath the JCB. Fortunately, his quad survived and he was able to fly away and continue his qualifying run.
At the end of Day 1, the pilots had their scores on the board and, for most, working drones. A few headed home to make repairs, while most headed to the Dog & Partridge Country Inn for a well-deserved dinner and drink.
After a day of racing, repairs and spotting duties, it was a chance to slow down, share a few laughs and look ahead to the finals.
Day 2 dawned with the championship still to be decided. A few additional qualifying rounds helped shake off the previous night's dinner and drinks before the pilots were seeded into their finals brackets.
Qualifying Results
Q | Pilot | Qualifying Time |
1 | RAZBRI | 45.127 |
2 | FPV GILBERT | 47.527 |
3 | FIFE FLYER | 53.424 |
4 | KPV | 55.857 |
5 | (CIRCLES) | 56.849 |
6 | MADANDSOME | 57.157 |
7 | JUST G | 59.349 |
8 | M4TTFPV | 59.417 |
9 | LEX_FPV | 59.42 |
10 | JUSTDANOK | 1:00.411 |
11 | ISR | 1:06.527 |
12 | ORAN | 1:08.369 |
13 | DEREK FPV | 1:14.013 |
14 | JAMESTX | 1:17.127 |
15 | FPV MARK | 1:17.928 |
16 | 911 FPV | 1:19.630 |
17 | ARMIT | 1:23.322 |
18 | SPEXFPV | 1:24.755 |
19 | DAVNAV | 1:30.000 |
20 | RORY | 1:33.675 |
21 | RAMMER RHODES | 1:34.034 |
22 | RAG&DRONEMAN | 1:42.793 |
23 | MOTHYFPV | 2:03.104 |
Finals
D Main Finals
Qualifying for the D Main finals was no mean feat. These pilots had competed across the country in multiple qualifying races just to make it to the British Championships. Although they occupied the bottom of the qualifying table, they were top FPV racers in their own right.
The opening race saw RAG&DRONEMAN lead the early stages before crashing into the ladder, while RORY and RAMMER RHODES battled closely behind. RORY eventually fell on the final lap, allowing MOTHYFPV to move into second, but RAMMER RHODES remained composed and completed all three laps to take the first win.
Race two produced another close fight between RORY and RAMMER RHODES, while RAG&DRONEMAN established a sizeable lead. A crash from RAG&DRONEMAN at the flying gate changed the complexion of the race, allowing RAMMER RHODES to take the win, with RORY second and RAG&DRONEMAN recovering to third.
The final race was the cleanest of the D Main, with every pilot completing three laps. RORY dominated from start to finish to claim the race win, while RAMMER RHODES took second. RAG&DRONEMAN finished third and MOTHYFPV fourth.
Rag&DroneMan had a clean race coming in 3rd but then went full postal and sent his drone full throttle into the concrete wall after the race. Holding it up to the camera for the livestream the whole stack was bent back at an alarming angle, which is one way to retire an old drone!
Across the three races, however, it was RAMMER RHODES who emerged on top of the D Main standings.
D Main Winner - Rammer Rhodes
D Main Final Results
Pos | Pilot | Points | D1 | D2 | D3 |
1 | RAMMER RHODES | 27 | 1st (10pts) : 3/1:37.626 | 1st (10pts) : 3/1:50.104 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:41.061 |
2 | RORY | 22 | 3rd (5pts) : 2/1:08.706 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:57.893 | 1st (10pts) : 3/1:34.485 |
3 | MOTHYFPV | 13 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/2:30.179 | 4th (3pts) : 3/2:21.596 | 4th (3pts) : 3/2:15.935 |
4 | RAG&DRONEMAN | 13 | 4th (3pts) : 0/0.000 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/2:08.683 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/1:54.685 |
5 | DAVNAV | 3 | 5th (1pts) : 0/0.000 | 5th (1pts) : 0/0.000 | 5th (1pts) : 0/0.000 |
C Main Finals
The pace stepped up another notch in the C Main, with the pilots producing some of the closest racing of the weekend.
DEREK FPV immediately established himself as the man to beat, taking the opening two races with strong, consistent performances. JAMESTX chased hard in both, while ARMIT and SPEXFPV remained firmly in contention.
The third race delivered the closest battle of the series. DEREK FPV and JAMESTX traded the advantage throughout the race before JAMESTX found a crucial overtake on the final corner. He crossed the line just 1.571 seconds ahead of DEREK FPV to take the race win.
Despite that late defeat, DEREK FPV's two earlier victories gave him the overall C Main win.
C Main Winner - Derek FPV
C Main Final Results
Pos | Pilot | Points | C1 | C2 | C3 |
1 | DEREK FPV | 27 | 1st (10pts) : 3/1:19.481 | 1st (10pts) : 3/1:15.733 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:22.422 |
2 | JAMESTX | 22 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/1:21.191 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:19.097 | 1st (10pts) : 3/1:20.851 |
3 | ARMIT | 11 | 5th (1pts) : 3/1:26.898 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/1:24.302 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/1:22.883 |
4 | SPEXFPV | 9 | 4th (3pts) : 3/1:23.896 | 4th (3pts) : 3/1:26.973 | 4th (3pts) : 3/1:23.614 |
5 | 911 FPV | 9 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:20.653 | 5th (1pts) : 0/0.000 | 5th (1pts) : 3/1:37.659 |
6 | FPV MARK | 0 | 6th (0pts) : 0/0.000 | 6th (0pts) : 0/0.000 | 6th (0pts) : 0/0.000 |
B Main Finals
The B Main delivered some of the most dramatic racing of the weekend, with extremely close battles throughout the field and plenty of sportsmanship between the pilots in the pits.
M4TTFPV set the tone immediately, taking the opening race after LEX_FPV and JUSTDANOK both crashed under pressure. JUST G took second, while ORAN completed the podium.
Race two again saw LEX_FPV make the early running before a crash allowed M4TTFPV through. M4TTFPV held his nerve to claim a second consecutive victory, with JUST G and JUSTDANOK close behind.
The final race was the thriller. M4TTFPV led for almost the entire race before a late mistake allowed JUSTDANOK into the lead. M4TTFPV responded with an all-or-nothing charge to the finish, throwing his drone across the line in a desperate attempt to recover the win.
The finish was so close that the video had to be reviewed to confirm the result. M4TTFPV had done enough to snatch the victory, completing a clean sweep of the B Main races.
B Main Winner - M4TT FPV
B Main Final Results
Pos | Pilot | Points | B1 | B2 | B3 |
1 | M4TTFPV | 30 | 1st (10pts) : 3/59.922 | 1st (10pts) : 3/1:02.252 | 1st (10pts) : 3/1:05.418 |
2 | JUSTDANOK | 15 | 5th (1pts) : 2/50.072 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:04.384 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:05.648 |
3 | JUST G | 13 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:08.479 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/1:06.686 | 5th (1pts) : 3/1:53.073 |
4 | ORAN | 11 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/1:16.899 | 4th (3pts) : 3/1:12.882 | 4th (3pts) : 3/1:21.094 |
5 | LEX_FPV | 9 | 4th (3pts) : 2/43.575 | 5th (1pts) : 3/1:51.791 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/1:08.068 |
6 | ISR | 0 | 6th (0pts) : 0/0.000 | 6th (0pts) : 0/0.000 | 6th (0pts) : 0/0.000 |
A Main Finals
The A Main brought together the fastest pilots in the country, with the 2025 champion FPV GILBERT among the favourites and RAZBRI, (CIRCLES), KPV, FIFE FLYER and MADANDSOME all capable of taking the title.
From the opening race, the standard was clear. RAZBRI immediately established a blistering pace while FPV GILBERT and KPV fought for second. KPV's challenge was interrupted by a bounce off the dirt, allowing FPV GILBERT to consolidate second, while (CIRCLES) moved through to fourth.
The second race was interrupted by video problems, forcing the first attempt to be abandoned. In the restart, RAZBRI jumped the starting tone and voluntarily gave up his advantage, demonstrating impressive sportsmanship. He then launched a ferocious recovery drive, chasing down the field while FIFE FLYER led.
The battle at the rear of the track proved decisive. KPV and FIFE FLYER came together in the Burly section, allowing (CIRCLES) and MADANDSOME through, before crashes reshuffled the order again. FPV GILBERT ultimately took the race win.
With everything still to play for, the final race began with another restart after KPV went down before the start gate. Once racing finally got underway, RAZBRI took the holeshot with (CIRCLES) immediately on his tail.
FPV GILBERT and FIFE FLYER battled into the ladder, but FPV GILBERT crashed at the Burly, allowing MADANDSOME through. FIFE FLYER later suffered a wobble of his own, but had enough of a gap to retain his position.
At the front, RAZBRI was untouchable. Setting 15-second laps, he delivered a clean final performance to secure the race win. (CIRCLES) finished second, followed by FIFE FLYER, KPV, FPV GILBERT and MADANDSOME.
Across an extraordinary weekend of racing, the A Main produced six pilots separated by tiny margins and decided by consistency, nerve and the ability to survive one of the most demanding tracks ever used for a British Championship.
A Main Winner & BDRA Champion - Razbri
A Main Final Results
Pos | Pilot | Points | A1 | A2 | A3 |
1 | RAZBRI | 20 | 1st (10pts) : 3/48.194 | 6th (0pts) : 1/57.423 | 1st (10pts) : 3/49.809 |
2 | FPV GILBERT | 18 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/57.673 | 1st (10pts) : 3/53.479 | 5th (1pts) : 3/1:10.136 |
3 | (CIRCLES) | 11 | 4th (3pts) : 3/1:10.596 | 5th (1pts) : 2/39.847 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/54.972 |
4 | KPV | 11 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/1:01.188 | 4th (3pts) : 2/38.807 | 4th (3pts) : 3/1:09.656 |
5 | FIFE FLYER | 10 | 6th (0pts) : 0/0.000 | 3rd (5pts) : 2/38.555 | 3rd (5pts) : 3/59.996 |
6 | MADANDSOME | 8 | 5th (1pts) : 3/1:19.056 | 2nd (7pts) : 3/1:05.243 | 6th (0pts) : 3/1:15.905 |
BDRA Championship Final Results
Congratulations to all the pilots on making the Finals and achieving extraordinary racing results. Watching from the JCB grandstand, listening to the commentary and seeing the skill and speed of the racing was exhilarating.
It is our honour to present the 2026 British Champions for Drone Racing – Open Class:
Final | Pos | Pilot |
A | 1 | RAZBRI |
2 | FPV GILBERT | |
3 | (CIRCLES) | |
4 | KPV | |
5 | FIFE FLYER | |
6 | MADANDSOME | |
B | 7 | M4TTFPV |
8 | JUSTDANOK | |
9 | JUST G | |
10 | ORAN | |
11 | LEX_FPV | |
12 | ISR | |
C | 13 | DEREK FPV |
14 | JAMESTX | |
15 | ARMIT | |
16 | SPEXFPV | |
17 | 911 FPV | |
18 | FPV MARK | |
D | 19 | RAMMER RHODES |
20 | RORY | |
21 | MOTHYFPV | |
22 | RAG&DRONEMAN | |
23 | DAVNAV |
Thanks
This event, and all the work across the country organising FPV races, is done by volunteers. The time taken off work and away from family, building, maintaining and moving equipment around is all voluntary.
A huge thank you goes to the BDRA Committee for the effort they put into this event, and to all the clubs around the country for hosting and taking part in the qualifying races leading to these finals.
If you want to get involved with FPV racing, check out the BDRA website (www.bdra.uk) where you can find a list of all the clubs around the UK.
A huge thank you to all our sponsors for helping us put on this incredible race and for their support of all our pilots and drone racing in the UK. It's companies like these that help showcase what the best of the best really means.
But of course, this event would not have been so special without the incredible support of JCB. The team of people we have worked with have been so supportive; we can't thank them enough.
They brought together loads of machines, helped collect drones and put up gates, along with coming in on their days off. This level of enthusiasm really goes to show what incredible people work for JCB and why we're proud to work alongside this great British brand.
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