RRL, which describes itself as an ‘aerospace sports and entertainment league’, says it intends to combine ‘the competition of racing with the excitement of rocketry’ with live events, television broadcasts and ‘interactive technologies’.
It was formed by Granger Whitelaw, two-time Indy 500 champion team partner, and Peter Diamandis, founder of the X Prize, an organisation which set up a $10m competition for the first non-government organisation to launch a reusable, manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks.
Whitelaw said: “Kevin’s experience with racing and his entrepreneurial success with technology is a perfect fit for the RRL. We will be challenged to keep up with him.
“The league’s mission is to serve as a technology accelerator in the areas of airframe, propulsion and spacecraft design, and reach for the future to inspire the next generation of spaceflight enthusiasts.”
Kalkhoven added: “Racing is a means of advancing technology, whether on land, sea or in space. The RRL is a unique venture with the opportunity to make history in both sports and technology. I look forward to the contributions that I can make to this new 21st century sport.”
