I've been flying FPV for about 6 months and I feel ready to start racing with other people. How do I find events and clubs in my area? Is there a central organization for FPV racing in the US? What should I expect at my first event?
MultiGP is the main FPV drone racing organization in the US with over 600 chapters nationwide. Go to multigp.com, click Find a Chapter, and enter your zip code. Most chapters hold free practice days and low-stakes races specifically for newer pilots -- they're genuinely welcoming to beginners.
Beyond MultiGP: search Facebook for "[your city] FPV" or "[your state] drone racing", check r/fpv on Reddit for your region, and look for Discord servers -- most regional FPV communities run Discord servers where events get announced.
What to expect at your first race: show up and watch a full race day before signing up to compete. Most chapters have an open practice session before racing starts. Introduce yourself, ask to do a practice lap, and expect to be lapped by experienced pilots -- that's completely normal. The FPV racing community is one of the more welcoming motorsport communities once you show up in person.
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At my first MultiGP race, I was nervous about being the slowest pilot. Reality: there's usually a broad mix of skill levels and the experienced pilots are almost universally helpful rather than condescending.
What worked for me: I volunteered as a gate marshal during my first visit (you walk the course resetting gates that get knocked down). This got me familiar with the course layout, showed the organizers I was helpful, and got me free entry into the next race. It's the classic way to get integrated into a new chapter quickly and is openly encouraged by most MultiGP chapters.
What to bring to your first race event: quad in airworthy condition with a prop cover for transport, 6+ charged batteries, a field charger, at least 10 sets of spare props, hex keys and a prop nut driver, your radio and goggles, and ear protection.
The noise at a race event is surprisingly intense -- 20+ quads at full throttle is loud. Some venues require hearing protection. Bring a camp chair too, because race days run 6-8 hours and there's a lot of standing around waiting for your heat. Most races also require a battery-carrying case or bag for safety -- check with your chapter beforehand.
MultiGP uses a standardized race format: qualifying rounds (timed solo laps), then bracket racing (head-to-head elimination). Many beginner-friendly chapters also run a Spec class where all pilots fly identical or near-identical drones -- this levels the playing field and lets pilot skill shine through.
Ask your local chapter if they have a spec class before investing in high-end race hardware. Flying a $300 spec quad at your skill level beats flying a $600 quad badly. Most spec classes use a standardized BNF quad so you can borrow one to try racing before committing to gear.
For freestyle rather than racing, events are less formally organized but the community is very active on Instagram, YouTube, and Discord. Search for FPV freestyle spots in your city -- many freestyle pilots have mapped out favorite flying spots and share coordinates in local groups.
Drone parks are also emerging in some cities -- FAA-designated areas with infrastructure specifically for FPV flying. Check your city's parks department or recreation department website to see if your area has designated RC aircraft or drone flying areas. They're still rare but the number is growing year over year as the hobby expands.
Reminder about FAA requirements at club events: flying at a MultiGP chapter requires FAA TRUST completion (free, about 30 minutes), FAA DroneZone registration ($5, 3-year), and your drone must have FAA Remote ID either built-in or via a broadcast module. Most chapters verify this at registration and tech inspection.
If your quad doesn't have built-in Remote ID, buy a Remote ID broadcast module -- they're $30-50 -- and mount it to the frame. For the full legal picture on what's required specifically for FPV flying, see our detailed guide on FPV racing rules and regulations in the USA.