File: 09seaholm.ht1.doc
[Headline: Pylon Racing season hits full stride]
The summer months are full of contests held across the country. In this month’s column, I will highlight coast-to-coast event results to recognize the dedicated racers who travel and support local Pylon events—the lifeblood of this sport.
Old Julian Airport Spring Race
The Old Julian Airport races have become anchor events for the eastern US. The Langlois family and crew deliver first-class contests. This race was held on May 3-4, in Julian, North Carolina. There were 18 to 28 entries per class.
Q-500 (AMA Event 424) Results
Name Time Points
1. Dale Harwell 1:28.91 23
2. Kevin Matney 1:25.02 22
3. James Barr 1:22.03 20
Fast time: James Barr 1:22.03
Q-500 (AMA Event 426) Results
Name Time Points
1. Dub Jett 1:05.84 14
2. Billy Johanson 1:02.16 13
3. Ray Brown 1:08.20 12
Fast time: Mathew Fehling 1:01.75
Q-40 Results
Name Time Points
1. Tim Yousey 1:02.55 15
2. Mike Langlois 1:00.39 14
3. Joe Hodgin 1:05.66 13
Fast time: Mike Langlois 1:00.39
Congratulations to all of the top finishers.
Whittier Narrows Spring Race
The Whittier Narrows Spring Pylon Race was held on May 17-18 in the Los Angeles area. Each class flew four rounds with between nine and 14 entries per class. This event allowed a slight variation of the AMA rules, allowing composite Q-500 to be flown in 424.
Tip of the hat goes to Robert Holik for his 59.62-second Q-40 time—a major accomplishment.
Q-500 (Event 424 with deviation)—Saturday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Lee Von Der Hey 1:21.73 12
2. Jim Padelt 1:24.39 9
3. Gilbert Lucero 1:25.68 9
Fast time: James Barr 1:22.03
Q-500 (Event 426)—Saturday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Travis Flynn 1:05.15 12
2. Jim Allen 1:06.79 11
3. Robert Holik 1:07.25 11
Fast time: Travis Flynn 1:05.15
Q-40 (Event 422)—Saturday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. David Lloyd 1:02.50 12
2. Mario Salazar 1:01.41 11
3. Doug Killebrew 1:05.52 11
Fast time: Travis Flynn 1:00.53
Q-500 (Event 424 with deviations)—Sunday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Chuck Thompson 1:20.91 10
2. Lee Von Der Hey 1:18.99 9
3. Scott Manning 1:23.01 9
Fast time: Lee Von Der Hey 1:18.99
Q-500 (Event 426)—Sunday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Jim Allen 1:01.90 12
2. Robert Holik 1:06.59 10
3. Bruce Coffey 1:05.60 10
Fast time: Jim Allen 1:01.90
Q-40 (Event 422)—Sunday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Robert Holik 59.62 12
2. Travis Flynn 1:04.69 10
3. Rusty Van Baren 1:02.01 9
Fast time: Robert Holik 59.62
Congratulations to all of the winners of the Whittier Narrows Spring Race.
Cincinnati Moon Shot
The Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club and Can-Am Pylon Society organizations host this event, and Tom Scott is the driving force behind the scenes. The contest was held June 7-8, and there were between nine and 12 entries per class.
Electric Formula 1 (EF1)—Saturday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Dan Kane 1:22.48 15
2. Dub Jett 1:33.29 15
3. Tom Melsheimer 1:37.28 13
Fast time: Dan Kane 1:22.48
Q-500 (AMA Event 424)—Saturday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Kevin Matney 1:26.73 17
2. Mark Feist 1:32.85 13
3. Miki Konno 1:30.90 13
Fast time: Kevin Matney 1:26.73
Q-500 (AMA Event 426)—Saturday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Mike Helsel 1:04.51 16
2. Tom Scott 1:04.93 16
3. Dub Jett 1:05.68 16
Fast time: Mike Helsel 1:04.51
EF1—Sunday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Jim Nikodem 1:37.37 11
2. Tim Lampe 1:37.38 11
3. Jay Cappis 1:39.03 11
Fast time: Jim Nikodem 1:37.37
Q-500 (AMA Event 424)—Sunday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Jim Nikodem 1:44.82 11
2. Jay Cappis 1:47.81 11
3. Tom Melsheimer 1:49.10 10
Fast time: Kevin Matney 1:39.40
Q-40 (AMA Event 422)—Sunday’s Results
Name Time Points
1. Mike Helsel 1:07.87 12
2. Dub Jett 1:02.85 11
3. Tom Scott 1:05.68 9
Fast time: Dub Jett 1:02.85
Congratulations to all who made it to the podium.
Heart of a Racer
I have witnessed the irrational generosity of Pylon Racers on countless occasions and continue to be amazed by the selfless acts of my racing family. My longtime friend, Tom Scott, sent me the following story.
“During Friday’s Cincinnati Moon Shot practice, a 12-year-old boy named Daniel approached ‘Rocket’ Ray Brown. Daniel explained how he had been flying for about a year and really liked RC airplanes.
“Without hesitation, Ray handed Daniel an E-flite Pogo ready to race, minus receiver. Daniel and his father picked up a receiver and made three test flights Friday evening and Saturday morning. Daniel entered the race and with Dan Kane calling. He turned a 1:50, finishing second in round two of competition. The smile made it very apparent how Daniel felt about Pylon Racing.
“This alone is an incredible story of generosity and Pylon camaraderie. In addition, Daniel has Asperger’s syndrome, a type of autism, but at the Moon Shot he was just a racer, and one we had better keep an eye on. Congrats, Daniel!”
Awesome job, Ray, Dan, and Tom for this act and all that you do for our sport.
Billings Bump and Run
The Billings Flying Mustangs (BFM) hosted the Fourth Annual BFM Bump and Run Pylon Race on June 6-8. Frequent readers of this column may remember that BFM was my home club growing up in Montana. Ed Alves, with support from my father, Earl, has been responsible for getting racing started up again at BFM.
The Elbert family ran the matrix and Judgeman System for the first time, and compiled many of the race operation lessons that they had learned.
There were 17 registered pilots and many close heats.
EF1 Results
Name
1. Earl Seaholm
2. Leon Elbert
3. Duane Gall
Fast time: A.J. Seaholm 1:30.69
Q-500 (Event 424) Results
Name
1. Earl Seaholm
2. Matt Russell
3. Ken Van Tuyl
Fast time: Matt Russell 1:26.12
Q-500 (Event 426) Results
Name
1. Mike Bergan
2. Bryan Batch
3. Robert Rau
Fast time: Brian Batch 1:11.12
Congratulations to all of the top finishers.
Ninja Experience
I finished the Ninja, which was featured in a recent column, to fly in Q-500 at the Billings race. The Ninja was smooth with no unusual flight characteristics. Unfortunately, my new airplane met its demise in the first round of the contest, so I have no race experience to share. I would definitely buy another and it would be a great aircraft to add to your fleet.[dingbat]
SOURCES:
National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA)
www.nmpra.org
ChinaMadeAmericanDesign (CMAD) Racing
www.cmadracing.com
