Author: Aaron "AJ" Seaholm
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 122,123,124
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Radio Control Pylon Racing

Aaron "AJ" Seaholm

Old Julian Airport Air Races

The Old Julian Airport (OJA) Air Races are the brainchild of Mike Langlois. Mike is a longtime racer who recently reemerged on the circuit. The OJA events began a couple of years ago and quickly became first-class local races. These events now draw national competitors.

This year the spring race featured Sport Q-500 (AMA event number 424), Sport Jett Q-500 (AMA event number 426), and the highest level of AMA racing, Q-40 (422). Pilots from across the country descended on Old Julian Airport in Julian, North Carolina, for two days of intense racing action. The entry totals for 424, 426, and 422 were 16, 12, and 13 respectively.

Old Julian Spring Race

When the dust settled on Sunday, the results were:

  • 424 (Sport Q-500)
  • 1st: Robert Vess (also claimed Fast Time with 1:24.86 — a "Clean Sweep")
  • 2nd: John McDermont
  • 3rd: Steve Baker
  • 426 (Sport Jett Q-500)
  • 1st: Bryan Blanchard (Fast Time: 1:04.97)
  • 2nd: Marcus Blanchard (0.03 sec behind Bryan)
  • 3rd: (not listed)
  • 422 (Q-40)
  • 1st: Mike Langlois (Fast Time: 1:02.76)
  • Tied for 2nd: John McDermont and Steve Baker (one point behind Mike)
  • Final placement decided by time: John McDermont was quickest at 1:02.89 and was crowned Old Julian Grand Champion.

Nicely done to all competitors, especially the winners and those who recorded Fast Time.

KCRC Spring Race

The Kansas City Radio Control Association (KCRC) club races hold a special place in my heart — KCRC was my home club until November of last year. KCRC delivers a top-notch race thanks to the dedication of Duane Hulen, Craig White, Robert Williams, Dan Ulledahl, and other members.

The Spring KCRC race was a single-day local race and featured Sport Q-500 (AMA event number 424) and Sport Jett Q-500 (AMA event number 426). Entry totals for 424 and 426 were 18 and 8 respectively.

Results and highlights:

  • 424 (Sport Q-500)
  • 1st: Lonnie Finch (caller/teammate: Mo Vereecke)
  • 2nd: Ken VanTyle
  • 3rd: Mike Tallman
  • 4th: Cal Orr (rookie, using Ken VanTyle’s Viper — great debut)
  • Fast Time: Mo Vereecke — 1:20.42
  • 426 (Sport Jett Q-500)
  • 1st: Scott Causey
  • 2nd: Mo Vereecke (Fast Time: 1:05.53)
  • 3rd: Lonnie Finch
  • Note: With Fast Time in both events, Mo gets the early-season bragging rights.

Nice flying, and congrats to the winners. Tip of the hat to newcomers and veterans alike.

First SoCal EF1 Pylon Race

The San Gabriel Valley Radio Control League held the inaugural Southern California Electric Formula 1 (EF1) Pylon Race on March 19. The event drew 13 electric competitors who flew six rounds to determine the winner. Many of these competitors are longtime nitro pilots who were attracted by the sleek lines and solid performance of the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) Electric F1 (EF1) class.

This race was flown on the 1.625-mile course for 10 laps. The course layout measures 375.5 feet from the midpoint of Pylons Two and Three to Pylon One. The distance between Pylons Two and Three is the standard 100 feet.

Results:

  • 1st: Jim Allen (flew a Proud Bird) — won after a flyoff with Paul Stenberg; Fast Time: 1:11.60 (Clean Sweep)
  • 2nd: Paul Stenberg — 1:14.30
  • 3rd: Lee VonDerHey — 1:17.26

Dave Gavin was the driving force behind this event and deserves recognition. Keep up the good work, Dave.

How I Got Into Pylon Racing — Lonnie Finch

"A.J. asked me to share the story of how I got into Pylon Racing. I will also throw out some thoughts on what the new racer should think about when they first get started as well. The best way to describe how I got into racing is to tell the story.

One afternoon, a flying buddy, Mo Vereecke, and I were at the field messing around. We were talking to one of the other modelers, waiting on our turn to fly. He asked us if we were planning to join the upcoming KCRC Pylon Race.

Still being relatively new to flying — less than a year at the time — I was not sure what Pylon Racing was. After some questions, explanations, and a phone call to the local hobby shop to check on Viper availability, Mo decided to jump in with both feet. I decided against it because I was into scale airplanes like P-51s and P-40s.

By the end of the week, Mo had his Viper set up with a couple tanks run through the new Thunder Tiger Pro 40. Long story short, as soon as we hit the line for his first race — not really knowing what we were doing — the adrenaline and excitement hit me like a ton of bricks. Within a couple weeks, I had purchased a used Predator and began collecting the essentials to start racing.

I was fortunate enough to have one of the best Pylon racers in the nation take me under his wing. I am fully engulfed in the world of Pylon now and travel up to 11 hours to attend races."

Suggestions for new racers:

  1. Attend one or two races and talk to competing pilots. Most racers will take the time to answer questions and make you feel part of the group. They will explain what’s necessary to get started and give tips on setting up your first race plane.
  1. Don’t rush to buy all the gadgets you see. Get a plane (a used one is fine) and attend a race or two to make sure you’ve caught the bug before spending on extras. Racers are generous and often share tools and equipment with newcomers.
  1. Hook up with a veteran racer and soak up as much information as you can.

Thanks for the great information and your story, Lonnie.

Have fun, race hard! MA

Sources:

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