Four-Star 40 Pylon Racing - 2004/12

36 MODEL AVIATION
SINCE THE SPIRITS of St. Louis RC Flying Club, Inc. was
formed in 1965, it has created or presented a number of
innovative racing events, several of which are unique to our
club. We started with .15-powered “Top Dawg” racing in the
1970s, followed by “Spirit of St. Louis” Quarter Midget racing.
In the latter event, contestants used the Spirit of St. Louis
model featured in the May 1972 R/C Modeler magazine. Plans
for the model—coded pl-491 cat. 2—are still available from the
R/C Modeler Plans Service. The event was quickly expanded to
include all-out Quarter Midgets and Quickie 500 racing.
In 1979, a group of Spirits CDs conceived and developed
rules for the first warbirds unlimited scale pylon races. Clubs
throughout the country are using variations of those rules to this
day.
In the early 1980s, the Spirits developed “Junk Stick” racing,
using 40-size Balsa USA Swizzle Sticks powered by .25
engines. The purpose was to have a fun event in which anyone
could be competitive. “Run Whatcha Brung” racing was
implemented along the way. The aircraft were usually Quickie
models with piped K&B 7.5cc engines or equivalent types.
As in most types of club racing, contestants who did their
homework and spent enough money won most of the time, and
the rest soon found other interests.
In the early 1990s, Don Ware—who was president of the
Spirits at the time—and a group of members developed a set of
rules for racing the newly introduced Sig Four-Star 40 model. It
was to be an entry-level event in which the airplanes were as
equal as possible.
The Four-Star 40 was selected because it’s easy to build and
flies like an advanced trainer. The design offers easy takeoffs
and gentle landings. The SuperTigre GS-40 was chosen to be the
standard engine because it’s inexpensive, breaks in quickly, and
is a good-performing ball-bearing power plant.
In this event, stock SuperTigre mufflers must be used, and
modifying engines and mufflers is prohibited. The airplanes are
to be built according to the plans; the only deviation allowed is
to lower the engine 1⁄4 inch for better fuel draw through the
turns.
Wheel size is standard, and wheel pants are not allowed.
Master Airscrew or APC 10 x 6 or 10 x 7 propellers are supplied
and changed between heats to ensure that no advantage is gained
from propeller modifications. A 15% fuel is to be used. In some
instances, the club supplies the fuel to assure that no one is
slipping in some exotic mix.
Some racers have tried tweaking the engines illegally, but they
usually won’t idle reliably. As a defense against cheating, without
constantly having to conduct inspections for illegal engines, an
extra point is awarded if the engine is still running after landing.
In addition, engine rpm on the ground can’t exceed 15,000; they
are checked at random to enforce this rule.
The Spirits of St. Louis combines Four-Star 40 and warbird racing on the same day. Four-Star 40 racing is more popular by far.
L-R: Jim Rawlings, Bill Hancock, Greg Pugh, and Ozzie Barron
count laps. Bob Fiely watches the action in the background.
Photos by the author except as noted
byWalt Wilson
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December 2004 37
Ron Hesscamp leads Ralph Doyle past the west pylon. Flying a
tight course can make the difference between a win, a loss, or a
cut! Don Fitch photo.
Ralph Amelung’s model’s graphics make a subtle suggestion to
his competition. Four-Star 40 racing is a fun event.
Having the engine tuned properly for maximum rpm in the air
without going lean in the turns is critical. When all airplanes are
in accordance with the rules, the difference between winning and
losing is flying a tight course without cutting pylons. An engine
will occasionally have a bad run, but the piloting usually wins or
loses the race!
A 600-foot, two-pylon course was used in the beginning
because it was safer and races could be run with fewer workers
than in the old three-pylon type. The course has since been
expanded to the standard 660 feet. Flying starts are always used.
The event caught on immediately and, with some development
and expansion of the rules, is still being contested today. Four-
Star 40 Racing has become the most popular pylon-racing event
in the area.
The Four-Star 40 ARF may bring even more competitors into
the sport, but one limitation could be the fact that it’s available in
only two color schemes: red and yellow. However, this problem
can be solved by adding other colored panels or trim to the
wings.
Requests for rules have been received from across the country.
Some clubs have chosen to use other types of engines, but most
use the Spirits’ rules to the letter. Rules are available on the
Spirits’ Web site at http://spiritsofstl.com. Click on “Contest
Rules” and select the “Four-Star 40 Racing Rules.”
This event has stirred much new interest in racing for the
Spirits and various clubs in the Saint Louis metro area. It might
do the same for other clubs. MA
Walt Wilson
3000 Persimmon Dr.
Saint Charles MO 63301
Bob Bennett (L) and Ralph Doyle look on as Bryan Volmert
holds his Four-Star 40 up for identification by pylon judges.
Steve Ramonczuk launches Bob Fiely’s racer. The 1930s Primary
Trainer paint scheme makes the model easier to identify.
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