Manhattan’s Drone Race Zooms in Chelsea

Chelsea buzzed last night with Manhattan’s Drone Race, speeding NYC’s spring at a 23rd Street lot. Pilot Mia Chen raced quads as 300 cheered, a $15 ticket clash of props. It’s borough wings—pure Chelsea vibe, rotors hot. A kid crashed a rig; a pro looped tight. ‘Manhattan flies—this is it,’ Chen says, tweaking controls. The asphalt turned track.

The race’s fresh—April 3’s start, it tripled since RSVPs, packing curbs by 6 p.m. Chen’s a Flatiron flyer; last night’s crowd hit max—drones whirred. A latecomer nabbed a spot; buzz roared—NYC grit glowed. Laps hit ten—speed ruled. #NYCDroneRace trended; Brooklyn wants a prop.

Some griped—’Too loud,’ sniped a normie, dodging noise. A drone clipped—fixed quick; flight held. A rival’s pitching a SoHo zoom, splitting rotors. Still, 400 stayed—wings reigned. Chelsea’s never zoomed so bold.

Chen’s teasing a monthly run, maybe a night race if spring bites. ‘NYC’s air—this owns it,’ she says, packing gear. The race’s a Manhattan win—grit meets thrust. It’s a drone rush; catch the next. Bring a remote—laps call.