Ansari X-Prize - Rocket Racing League

Dr Diamandis, The man behind the $10 million Ansari X-Prize for sub orbital travel - which was won earlier this year - has started a new competition, the Rocket Racing League.

The high speed, high adrenaline race will take place 5,000 ft (1500 m) above the ground, with skilled pilots competing against one another in a spectacular 3D race.

The First 'X-Racers' will be identical, and ready built by XCOR Aerospace, in an effort to get the ball rolling. It is hoped unique private participants will quickly follow... read more on the Rocket Racing League.




The original Ansari X-Prize was won by SpaceShipOne of Scaled Composites. The new X-Prize, like the original is intended as a 'technology accelerator', a reward for pushing the boundaries of human achievement.

The first Rocket Racing League events are expected to take place some time in 2006. The races will be run over aerial tracks 2 miles long and 1 mile wide. The X-Racers will be set off in staggered side by side starts, with each pilot following their own virtual tunnel with the assistance of satellite navigation, thereby reducing the chance of an aerial collision.


Upon takeoff, spectators will easily follow the race as the rocket planes remain in view and sport 20-foot rocket plumes. Fans can also track their favorite pilots' progress via large screen televisions and handheld GPS tracking devices using WiFi to stream video of the cockpit, live "on-track" shots, "side by side" views and wing angle views.

Fans at home will be treated to a three-dimensional course where the "tracks" pilots are following can be seen. Special effects for lap completions, barrier violations and penalties will also be a part of the show.

The RRL plans to host a variety of races as it grows and each race will result in points awarded to its top finishers and qualifier. Timed qualifying rounds can be incorporated into the races, comparable to the 24-hour Le Mans race.

The first flights of XCOR Aerospace's EZ-Rocket were conducted by Colonel Richard Searfoss a former astronaut and shuttle commander.

All images courtesy of Rocket Racing League.