NUAIR planning for a drone racing park at Griffiss Airport by 2018

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)

It may not overtake the NFL, but ESPN is betting drone racing will capture a growing audience.

Sunday night, the network will air the first two, hour long episodes of ten in the championship series.

With one of six FAA drone test sites in the nation Central New York and the Mohawk Valley say this new sport shows the depth of the drone industry.

NUAIR Executive Director Larry Brinker tells NewsChannel 9, "We're working with a group up at Griffiss now to establish a drone racing park.  We expect that to be on the far side of the airfield."

A basic drone camp for kids this summer at Griffiss was already a big hit.

"But it’s also going to be used as a STEM educational development laboratory if you will for the schools in the area." Brinker says.

The Drone Racing League can be seen starting at 9 p-m Sunday night on ESPN2.

NASA will hold an international conference on drones in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley in early November.

New York State has committed $250 million to help the region develop into a hub for drone technology and research.

Watch the video here.

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