Control Line Speed - 2003/12

Control Line Speed

Dave Mark Box 773, Fenton MI 48430 E-mail: [email protected]

77th Control Line Speed National Championships — summary

The 77th Control Line Speed National Championships (Nats) saw more records fall from the weather than the competitors — more than 15 inches of rain fell during the week. When we arrived Monday, July 7, roads were covered with running water and lakes had formed in areas where Muncie residents said they had never seen standing water. Friday, July 11 — the last day of competition — was the only day without rain during the events; it held off until just after the day’s events were completed. The new Racing circles were a sea of mud, so Racing was held at the old site next to the Speed circle.

Despite the weather, competition proceeded as scheduled. Events were held on their traditional days, with Sport Jet added as a provisional event on Wednesday.

Monday — 1/2A day

• 1/2A Profile Proto (20 contestants)
• 1st: Charlie Legg — model weighed 5.5 oz including fuel; fastest flight 111.54 mph (3rd attempt). Other flights: 109.51 mph, 109.98 mph. Powered by a home-built engine and a single-blade prop Charlie made.
• 2nd: Charles (Chuck) Whitler — 111.54 mph (2nd attempt). First attempt 93.76 mph. Damaged his good prop on the first flight and used a backup prop 1/8" smaller. Credited assistance and hop-up information from Greg Settle, who also sent him fuel.
• 3rd: Warren Kurth — model weighed 5.1 oz; powered by a Shuriken .049 bought days before the Nats. This was Warren’s 49th Nats.

• 1/2A Proto (Junior/Senior)
• 1st (Junior/Senior): Scott Matson — 93.85 mph (repeat winner).
• 2nd: James VanSant — 90.68 mph.
• 3rd: Zach Schoonover — 80.28 mph.
• 4th: Wade Schoonover — 72.10 mph.
• Models weighed 5.1–7.9 oz including fuel.

1/2A Speed

1/2A Speed had three times as many entrants as last year. ARF asymmetrical speed models are becoming available; Bill Hughes (who imports GZ engines) and John Newton produced a molded-fiberglass, aluminum-skinned-wing prototype. The GZ-CS engines have proven to be powerful.

• 1st: Carl Dodge — CS-powered model of his own design; 141.22 mph.
• 2nd: Bill Hughes — prototype ARF; 135.03 mph.
• 3rd: Glen VanSant — 130.86 mph.
• Models ranged in weight from about 6.1 ounces upward.

.21 Proto

Turnout was light (five contestants).

• 1st: Glenn Lee — 135.84 mph.
• 2nd: Karl Caldwell — 134.33 mph.
• 3rd: Bob Whitney — 130.47 mph.
• 4th: Barry Tippett — 117.21 mph.
• 5th: Richard Yatson — 108.16 mph.
• Appearance points: Bob Whitney’s inverted Proto received the top score (3.0). Richard Yatson’s Viper received 2.5.

Thursday practice and weather

Late Thursday a crowd built around the Speed circle as the Jet fliers from Texas arrived. Pilots normally test-fly Thursday night to shake out bugs before Jet and D Speed on Friday; this year the practice sessions produced disappointing results — the fastest Jet fliers were lucky to hit about 180 mph. The Weather Channel reported Muncie set a record for the lowest barometric pressure since records began, and it rained that night.

Friday — D Speed and Jet

Friday began clear. Of 15 contestants who processed for D Speed, 14 made official flights.

• D Speed
• 1st: Bill Hughes — used all four attempts; discovered a leak in his metal tank on attempt 2 and repaired it. Third attempt: 191.82 mph; fourth attempt: 192.84 mph.
• 2nd: Glenn Lee — 189.59 mph (two consecutive flights at that speed).
• 3rd: New-Math team — 186.06 mph.
• 4th: Bob Ytuarte — 184.54 mph (returning to flying after a few years).
• D models weighed 38–46 ounces.

• Jet
• 1st: Len Waltemath — 196.64 mph (current record-holder).
• 2nd: Mike Couts — initial flight timing error (timers counted seven laps instead of six, producing a calculated 192.00 mph); that flight was scratched and refown — refly: 192.84 mph.
• 3rd: Arlyn Valentine — 191.61 mph.
• 4th: Bill Capinoglia — 190.19 mph (new model still being tuned).
• Jets weighed 34.0–43.0 ounces including fuel.

Awards and acknowledgements

The NASS banquet and awards ceremony were held at Cardinal Hills Country Club.

• Trophies and honors:
• Glenn Lee — High Speed (98.4% of the existing record); Open High Point (398 points); first place in B Speed, Formula 40, and .21 Proto; second place in D Speed.
• Scott Matson — High Point Junior (400 points).
• Leonard Waltemath — Doc Davis Memorial (196.64 mph).

• Open High Point trophy: Ken Barthel took the trophy to Karl Mouch Jewelers (Cincinnati, OH) to have it refinished. Owner Jerry Mouch donated his time and materials. Thanks to Jerry for his support.

• Fuel and logistics: Pro Blend Fuels owner Steve O’Donnell paid shipping and supplied all fuel used at the Speed circles. NASS and the pilots thank him for his generous support.

• Event volunteers and staff:
• Event Director: Barry Tippett — ran the event and maintained equipment.
• Tabulating and paperwork: Bob Taipale — donated his full week at the Nats.
• Muncie Boy Scout Troop: supplied members to help with pull-tests, line measurement, and paperwork; NASS made a donation in appreciation.
• Assistant event directors: Ken Barthel and the author (Dave Mark) donated their time.
• Timing helpers: Frank Garzon, Al Jones, Charlie Legg, Warren Kurth, Al Stegens, Bill Hughes, Bob Ytuarte, Santo Rizzotto, Joey Mathison, Mike Couts, Steve Matson, John Camp, Chris Montagino, and Tom Laumeran.

Additional information

A schedule of all Speed meets in the U.S. is available on the NASS website: www.clspeed.com. Prospective members can find an application there or send a letter to:

NASS Box 371 Fenton, MI 48430

MA

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.