MCK IS BACK.
A last-minute entry. Nearly two years away from elite competition. An undefeated run. Minchan Kim returns to the top of drone racing and claims his third MultiGP Championship.
The 2026 MultiGP Championship has officially come to an end, and what a weekend it has been. From October 15 to 17, the Dallas Drone Racing Field in Carrollton, Texas, hosted some of the fastest FPV pilots on the planet for three days of breathtaking racing, intense rivalries, dramatic eliminations, and unforgettable moments.
After two days of qualifying on Thursday and Friday, the leaderboard already told a fascinating story. South Korea’s Minchan “MCK FPV” Kim returned to the top with an extraordinary three-consecutive-lap time of 33.18 seconds, followed by fellow Korean superstar Minjae Kim at 34.20 and Japan’s Yuki Hashimoto at 35.33.
France’s Killian Rousseau completed the Top 4, followed by China’s TJ “TJ_FPV” Tian in fifth. Americans Spencer “Screecher” Cannizzaro and Tristan “T-Dog” Tefft were sixth and seventh, while defending Champion Joaquin “JBOX” Ybanez qualified eighth. Kazakhstan’s young sensation Alikhan Nsanbaev was ninth, ahead of Siqing “WSQ” Wang, Mason “Hyper” Lively, and Pedro “Pino” Caceres, completing the twelve pilots who qualified directly for the A Main.
Qualifying / Top 12
| Pos. | Pilot | Nation | 3-lap time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Minchan “MCK FPV” Kim | 🇰🇷 | 33.18 s |
| 02 | Minjae Kim | 🇰🇷 | 34.20 s |
| 03 | Yuki Hashimoto | 🇯🇵 | 35.33 s |
| 04 | Killian Rousseau | 🇫🇷 | — |
| 05 | TJ “TJ_FPV” Tian | 🇨🇳 | — |
| 06 | Spencer “Screecher” Cannizzaro | 🇺🇸 | — |
| 07 | Tristan “T-Dog” Tefft | 🇺🇸 | — |
| 08 | Joaquin “JBOX” Ybanez | 🇺🇸 | — |
| 09 | Alikhan Nsanbaev | 🇰🇿 | — |
| 10 | Siqing “WSQ” Wang | 🇨🇳 | — |
| 11 | Mason “Hyper” Lively | 🇺🇸 | — |
| 12 | Pedro “Pino” Caceres | 🇨🇦 | — |
But qualifying was only the beginning. With the E Main starting the elimination brackets on Friday night, Saturday brought a full day of relentless racing as the field worked its way through the D, C, and B Mains. Sixty-four pilots competed in the Championship finals, but only sixteen would ultimately fight for the title in the A Main.
And when the Top 16 finally took to the track, everything was on the line.
Every single race of the Top 16 felt like a Championship Final in its own right. The level of competition was simply extraordinary, arguably the highest ever witnessed at a MultiGP Championship. With so many world-class pilots battling head-to-head, there were no easy heats, no guaranteed victories, and absolutely no room for mistakes. Every round was a battle for survival, and every finish line could change the course of the Championship.
Every race felt like a championship final.
The return of the king
Perhaps the most extraordinary story of the entire Championship is that Minchan “MCK FPV” Kim was not even planning to compete in Dallas.
As he revealed during his post-victory interview, his participation was the result of a last-minute decision following a Facebook conversation with MultiGP’s Chris Thomas. After spending almost two years away from top-level FPV drone racing competitions, focusing instead on 3D helicopter flying, MCK decided to come back.
And what a comeback it was.
Despite his long absence from elite racing, the Korean legend immediately reminded everyone why he is considered one of the greatest drone racing pilots of all time. He dominated qualifying, setting the fastest three consecutive laps of the entire field, and then swept through the A Main Winners Bracket without losing a single round.
His perfect run also meant something particularly important for the Championship Final. MultiGP’s famous Chase the Ace format normally requires a pilot to secure two victories to claim the title. MCK, however, had earned the Iron Man advantage through his undefeated bracket run. He entered the Championship Final already holding an ace, so one more victory would be enough.
For fans hoping to witness a long, dramatic Chase the Ace battle, MCK had other plans.
One race. One victory. One Championship.
Almost two years away. A last-minute entry. Undefeated from start to finish. Some champions never lose their touch.
The top four make history
For the first time in MultiGP Championship history, all four of the fastest pilots from qualifying reached the Championship Final: Minchan Kim, Minjae Kim, Yuki Hashimoto, and Killian Rousseau.
Four extraordinary pilots, three countries, and a final packed with international titles, rivalries, and unfinished business. Unfortunately, the race took a dramatic turn almost immediately. A mid-air collision between Minjae and Yuki right after the start effectively ended both pilots’ chances before the final had even properly begun.
That left MCK and Killian fighting for the Championship. The Frenchman gave everything he had, pushing the Korean superstar all the way to the finish line and crossing just two seconds behind him. It was a remarkable effort, but not enough to prevent MCK from taking the title.
Killian: so close, again
For Killian “KillianFPV” Rousseau of France, the result confirmed that he belongs among the absolute fastest pilots in the world. But it was also another heartbreaking second place.
Killian’s road to the Championship Final was anything but straightforward. . From there, the Frenchman fought his way back through the elimination rounds and into the Redemption Bracket semifinal, , earning his place in the Championship Final.
In 2026 alone, Killian finished runner-up at the MultiGP World Cup during the International Open, second at the European Championship in Germany, and now second again at the MultiGP Championship in Dallas.
Three of the biggest competitions in the sport. Three podium finishes. Three times one step away from the top. The speed is there. The consistency is there. The talent has never been in doubt. Surely, his moment will come.
Minjae’s triple crown dream ends in Dallas
For Minjae Kim of South Korea, Dallas represented the opportunity to accomplish something unprecedented in MultiGP history. Having already won the 2026 MultiGP World Cup at the International Open in June and the European Championship in Germany in September, Minjae arrived in Texas with the chance to become the first pilot ever to win all three major MultiGP titles in the same year.
But once again, standing between Minjae and the sport’s most coveted Championship title was his fellow countryman and longtime rival, MCK. The two Korean superstars continue to define an era of international drone racing, raising the standard of competition and pushing each other to extraordinary levels.
For Minjae, the dream of completing the historic triple crown ended in Dallas. Yet his 2026 season remains one of the most impressive achievements in recent drone racing history.
For Yuki Hashimoto of Japan, the final was equally cruel. The two-time MultiGP World Cup Champion and 2025 European Champion had once again demonstrated his exceptional speed throughout the weekend, earning third place in qualifying and reaching the Championship Final.
Hyper’s incredible comeback
Among the most impressive stories of Saturday’s A Main was the resilience of Mason “Hyper” Lively of the United States. After a difficult opening round sent him into the Redemption Bracket, Hyper faced the enormous challenge of surviving a succession of elimination races against some of the fastest pilots in the world.
One mistake would mean the end of his Championship. Instead, he kept fighting.
Race after race, Hyper climbed through the Redemption Bracket, surviving increasingly difficult matchups. . There, facing Minjae Kim and Killian Rousseau, his remarkable comeback finally came to an end.
Hyper finished sixth overall, an impressive result considering how early his Championship had been put in jeopardy. A demonstration of determination, composure, and the ability to deliver under immense pressure.
Alikhan: the future is already here
If there is one pilot who has everyone talking about the future of drone racing, it is 12-year-old Alikhan “Alikhanfpv” Nsanbaev from Kazakhstan.
Competing against world champions and the most experienced pilots in the sport, Alikhan showed absolutely no signs of intimidation.
Alikhan eventually finished fifth overall, just one step away from the Championship Final, following an extremely demanding Redemption Bracket semifinal.
He is not simply a promising young pilot. He is already competing with the best in the world, and his future looks incredibly bright.
JBOX’s title defense comes to an early end
For defending MultiGP Champion Joaquin “JBOX” Ybanez of the United States, the dream of securing back-to-back Championship titles ended in dramatic fashion.
After qualifying eighth, JBOX entered the A Main determined to defend the crown he had won in 2025. But , ending his Championship campaign.
The defending Champion had to settle for tenth place overall. In the unforgiving world of double-elimination drone racing, even the reigning Champion is never more than a couple of mistakes away from elimination.
Redsky’s remarkable run
Another pilot who deserves special recognition is Skyler “Redsky” Hutchison of the United States, who enjoyed an outstanding Championship supported by enthusiastic local fans.
The Florida pilot began his journey in the B Main, where he delivered a brilliant performance to win the bracket and bump up into the A Main Top 16. But Redsky was far from finished.
He continued to survive against increasingly difficult competition, eventually reaching Race 12, the Redemption Bracket quarterfinal. There, his remarkable run ended with an excellent eighth-place finish overall.
Just ahead of him was Tristan “T-Dog” Tefft, who finished seventh after the two met in that crucial Race 12. Redsky’s journey from the B Main to eighth place was one of the most memorable stories of the weekend.
Half a second of pure drone racing
With Spencer “Screecher” Cannizzaro, Hyper, and T-Dog fighting wheel to wheel, the heat delivered one of the closest and most spectacular finishes of the entire event.
All three pilots crossed the finish line separated by just half a second. At the speeds these drones were traveling, the smallest hesitation or correction could completely change the outcome.
Screecher, who had qualified sixth, saw his Championship campaign end in that incredible battle, finishing ninth overall, three positions below qualifying. Three world-class pilots, virtually nothing between them, and everything at stake.
The Army Speed Trap
One of the exciting features of the 2026 Championship track was the Army Speed Trap, presented by the U.S. Army. Positioned along the 100-foot straight leading toward the finish line, the speed trap measured the pilots’ speeds through the section, allowing spectators to appreciate just how incredibly fast these racing drones really are.
Speed readings added a new dimension to the Championship, allowing fans to compare the raw straight-line performance of the world’s fastest FPV pilots. But pure speed was only part of the equation.
Designed by Anthony “AyyyKayy” Knight and Mr. E, the Championship track combined high-speed sections with technical gates, challenging dives, and rapid changes of direction demanding absolute precision. On a course where fractions of a second could separate victory from elimination, finding the perfect balance between speed and control was essential.
The fastest single race lap and the top Speed Trap reading will be added once officially confirmed.
More than a championship
Behind every spectacular race, every close finish, and every unforgettable moment lies an enormous amount of work. The 2026 MultiGP Championship would not have been possible without the dedication of an incredible number of people.
A huge thank you goes to all our sponsors and partners for their continued support of MultiGP and the international FPV racing community.
To the entire MultiGP team, race directors, organizers, production crew, commentators, and everyone working behind the scenes, thank you for the countless hours invested in making this Championship happen.
A particularly special thank you goes to the volunteers and the Dallas Drone Racing community, who went above and beyond to prepare the venue, build the track, support the competitors, and make everything possible.
And, of course, thank you to every single pilot who traveled to Dallas to compete. The talent, dedication, sportsmanship, and passion of this community are what make the MultiGP Championship one of the most extraordinary events in FPV drone racing.
The king has returned
In the end, the story of Dallas belongs to Minchan Kim.
A champion who had spent almost two years away from the highest level of competition. A pilot who, just days before the event, was not even planning to be there. A last-minute conversation, a change of plans, and an extraordinary return to the top of the world.
He arrived in Dallas with nothing to prove, yet left having reminded everyone exactly why his name belongs among the greatest in drone racing history.
Fastest in qualifying. Undefeated through the A Main. Victorious in the very first Championship Final heat.
Minchan “MCK FPV” Kim is the 2026 MultiGP Champion. Three Championship titles. One extraordinary legacy.
Thank you, Mark Grohe
As the 2026 MultiGP Championship comes to a close, we also mark the end of an important chapter for our organization. After four years of dedication to MultiGP as Event Director, Mark Grohe is stepping away from the role.
From the International Open to the MultiGP Championship, Mark has been instrumental in making every major event over the past four years a success. His extraordinary attention to detail, ability to coordinate people and manage the countless moving parts of an event, and exceptional organizational skills have set a standard that will leave a lasting mark on MultiGP.
But what truly sets Mark apart is his humanity. His care for the people behind the races, his commitment to the community, and his steady leadership have made him far more than an Event Director. He has been an essential part of what makes these events special.
Thank you, Mark, for four incredible years, for everything you have given to MultiGP, and for every event you helped bring to life. Your impact will be felt long after the final race is over.
And while the curtain has fallen on another unforgettable Championship, the next chapter is already on the horizon.