AUTOBLOG: This drifting is some of the best drone footage we

Drones are able to achieve some amazing shots, at a fraction of the cost of similar high-flying, fast-moving aerial photography from decades past. Our own video team uses drones to great effect, and we’re always impressed at the incredible, sweeping clips they’re able to produce. Racing drones are a whole ‘nuther beast, though, and drone racer/photographer Johnny FPV shows what they can do at high speeds and close range in this amazing video of Formula Drift cars.

Set to the tunes of a Daft Punk remix, the GoPro Hero7 Black camera-equipped racing drone chases pairs of drifters around the circuit, often through or just above the dense plumes of tire smoke trailing behind them. The close-up shots cover all angles, and give an amazing sense of the speed (and the proximity!) of these cars as they give up grip again and again to slide parallel to one another through the corners. At certain moments, the drone pierces its way through dirt and automotive shrapnel as the cars drop a wheel off the track or collide into one another.

At the end of the video, the videographer details some of the equipment he uses. He discusses the strengths of the various drone frames and rotor motors he uses, in case you’re interested in trying to replicate his work. There’s no replicating skill, though, and that’s part of what makes the above video so incredible to watch.

Oh, and if you feel like you’re missing out on the sweet sounds of the drift cars, GoPro’s version of the video has got that for you, too.