Summer racing heats up
by Aaron "AJ" Seaholm [email protected]
The summer racing season is in full swing and many parts of the country have had well-attended races with many hard-fought battles for bragging rights. In my last column, I mentioned my excitement about an upcoming race in Billings, Montana, during Memorial Day weekend.
That race was canceled due to inclement weather—morning snow followed by drizzles—but before the weather hit, we flew a couple of practice heats around the poles with our Electric Formulas I (EFI) models. We flew on the 375-foot course and it was a blast. I look forward to a full day of EFI (NMPRA Provisional) racing at the 2012 AMA Pylon Nats. At the time I wrote this, more than 55 pilots were registered.
This article is devoted to recapping racing results through June 2012. I hope this will highlight some racing action in your neck of the woods and inspire you to take the pylon racing leap. You won't regret it. This will give some much-deserved ink to local racers and event organizers across the country.
California: George Finch Memorial Race
The San Fernando Valley Radio Control Flyers and CD Travis Flynn hosted the annual George Finch Memorial Race March 30–April 1. There were 15 participants in Q-500 (AMA Event 424), 12 in EFI, and 14 in Q-500 (AMA Event 426) on Saturday. Q-500 was flown on the AMA's 475.5-foot short course — 2 miles for 10 laps — with EFI flown on the 375-foot course.
Q-500 (424)
- David Hill 1:21.92
- Jim Padelt 1:27.46
- Dan Coe 1:24.53
Fast time: David Hill 1:21.92
Q-500 (426)
- Sam San 1:05.37
- Chuck Andraka 1:07.73
- Dan Thordarson 1:09.29
Fast time: Jim Allen 1:02.46
EFI (Provisional)
- Troy Peterson 1:15.07
- Jim Allen 1:21.11
- Gary Long 1:26.41
Fast time: Troy Peterson 1:15.07
Florida: Markham Park Q-40 Gold Cup
The Markham Park club and event organizers Ray Brown and Jim Purdue hosted the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) Gold Cup race April 14–15. Weather caused Saturday's action to be canceled and put participants into a one-day winner-takes-all scenario. Q-500 (424) and Q-40 (422) were flown on the AMA long course. They flew 2.5 miles for 10 laps, measuring 608 feet from the pylons, 2/3 to 1 with four airplanes and 23 entries, respectively.
Q-500 (424)
- Jack Fehling 1:49.63
- Jeff Kerlo 1:44.64
- Richard Zisa 1:46.36
Fast time: Jeff Kerlo 1:44.64
Q-40 (422)
- Randy Bridge 1:00.77
- John McDermott 1:00.77
- Dub Jett 59.83
Fast time: Dub Jett 59.83
Missouri: KCRC Spring Pylon Race
The Kansas City Radio Control (KCRC) Association, my former home, and CDs Craig White and Duane Hulen hosted the one-day Q-500 race on April 28. This event raced Q-500 (424 and 426) with 17 and 12 entries, respectively. The classes were flown on the AMA 475.5-foot short course. Veteran racers split up their teams and called for newcomers in 424 — what a great way to help boost continued participation at events.
Q-500 (424)
- Mike Tallman 1:18.19
- Maurice Vereecke 1:21.90
- Jim Nikodem 1:23.00
Fast time: Mike Tallman 1:18.19
Q-500 (426)
- Scott Causey 1:05.28
- Maurice Vereecke 1:07.28
- Jim Nikodem 1:09.25
Fast time: Scott Causey 1:05.28
California: Woodland/Davis Electric Pylon Race
The Woodland/Davis Aeromodelers Electric Pylon Race and CD Robert Holik put racing back on the map May 19 in central California. This race included the ParkZone Warbird class and EFI. This may be a good format for aspiring event organizers trying to establish racing in their areas. There were five contestants in ParkZone Warbird and 17 in EFI. Both were flown on the AMA 375-foot course.
ParkZone Warbird
- Doug Killebrew 2:15.94
- Josh Killebrew 2:20.21
- Travis Flynn 2:28.49
Fast time: Doug Killebrew 2:15.94
EFI (Provisional)
- Robert Holik 1:18.58
- Jim Allen 1:14.42
- Steve Cole 1:29.25
Fast time: Gary Schmidt 1:11.92
Indiana: CAPS Indy Shootout
The Can-Am Pylon Society (CAPS) and co-CDs Darwin Larson and Rick Vogelsang hosted the Indy Shootout at the AMA Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, May 19–20.
Saturday featured EFI and Q-500 (424 and 426), flown on the AMA 475.5-foot course. Sunday featured Q-40 (422) and Q-500 (424), flown on the AMA 608-foot long course.
Saturday Q-500 (424)
- Duane Hulen 1:21.49
- Jay Cappis 1:26.83
- Kevin Matney 1:21.69
Fast time: Maurice Vereecke 1:17.59
Saturday Q-500 (426)
- Dan Kane 1:04.12
- Lonnie Finch 1:07.51
- Maurice Vereecke 1:06.13
Fast time: Dan Kane 1:04.12
Saturday EFI (Provisional)
- Jim Nikodem 1:29.38
- Tom Scott 1:31.32
- Mike Spencer 1:33.18
Fast time: Dan Kane 1:26.11
Sunday Q-500 (424)
- Duane Hulen 1:36.12
- Jay Cappis 1:40.67
- Darwin Larson 1:45.70
Fast time: Tom Scott 1:35.13
Sunday Q-40 (422)
- Tom Scott 1:03.13
- Craig Grunkemeyer 1:03.56
- Eddie Jump 1:10.52
Fast time: Tom Scott 1:03.13
North Carolina: Old Julian Airport Spring Race
The Old Julian Airport Model Airplane Club and organizers Mike Langlois and Jim Katz hosted the Old Julian Airport Spring Race, May 12–13.
Saturday featured Q-500 (424 and 426), flown on the AMA 475.5-foot short course. Sunday featured Q-40 (422) and Q-500 (424), flown on the AMA 608-foot long course. There were 19 contestants in 426, seven in 424, and 24 in 422.
Saturday Q-500 (424)
- Mike Rutchka 1:31.34
- Trey Witte 1:36.44
- Bob Harris 1:33.98
Fast time: Mike Rutchka 1:31.34
Saturday Q-500 (426)
- Mike Helsel 1:03.16
- Lonnie Finch 1:03.23
- Dub Jett 1:07.48
Fast time: Maurice Vereecke 1:02.63
Sunday Q-40 (422)
- John McDermott 1:02.27
- Matthew Fehling 1:07.23
- Mike Helsel 1:02.27
Fast time: John McDermott 1:02.27
Connecticut: Farmington Race
John Hinze was the CD for the Farmington, Connecticut, race held on June 3. There were 22 registered pilots for this one-day Q-500 (424) race.
Saturday Q-500 (424)
- Joe Tropea 1:18.24
- Kevin Cyr 1:20.00
- Don Ouimette 1:20.10
Fast time: Joe Tropea 1:18.24
Ohio: Moonshot Race
The CAPS, Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club, and CD Tom Scott hosted the Moonshot in Cincinnati, June 2–3. Saturday featured EFI and Q-500 (424 and 426), flown on the AMA 475.5-foot course. Sunday featured Q-40 (422) and Q-500 (424) flown on the AMA 608-foot long course. Saturday saw six in 424, 23 in 426, and 11 contestants in EFI. On Sunday, there were six registered pilots in 424 and 24 in 422.
Saturday Q-500 (424)
- Darwin Larson 1:23.61
- Kevin Matney 1:31.88
- Jim Nikodem 2:26.29
Fast time: Darwin Larson 1:23.61
Saturday Q-500 (426)
- Randy Bridge 1:03.01
- Lloyd Burnham 1:06.30
- Dan Kane 1:05.16
Fast time: Craig Grunkemeyer 1:02.12
Saturday EFI (Provisional)
- Dan Kane 1:33.66
- Dennis O'Brien 1:32.59
- Lonnie Finch 1:37.35
Fast time: Dennis O'Brien 1:32.59
Sunday Q-500 (424)
- Darwin Larson 1:42.12
- Jim Nikodem 1:38.75
- Kevin Matney 1:39.48
Fast time: Tom Scott 1:37.63
Sunday Q-40 (422)
- Randy Bridge 1:01.42
- Mike Helsel 1:01.16
- Dub Jett 1:03.28
Fast time: Mike Helsel 1:01.16
Sources
- National Miniature Pylon Racing Association — www.nmpra.org
- North East Pylon Racing Organization — www.nepro.org
- CAPS — www.capsracing.com
- Old Julian Airport Model Airplane Club — www.oldjulianairport.org
- Woodland/Davis Aeromodelers — www.wdarc.org
- KCRC — www.kcradiocontrol.com
- San Fernando Valley Radio Control Flyers — www.valleyflyers.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
