AMA Nats: RC Pylon Racing
ONE of the largest and best-run races for the "go fast and turn left" crowd took place at the 1988 Tidewater Nats. The 190 event entries raced during six morning time slots during the week. Geographical representation came from 25 states and four foreign countries. From Canada to the north, Mexico to the south, Washington and California to the west, and France and Czechoslovakia to the east, these Pylon Racers converged on Tidewater, VA. The new AMA Quickie 500 event drew 79 fliers, which rivaled some of the largest Nats Pylon turnouts during the mid-Seventies. Formula I and Quarter Midget had 50 and 44 entries, respectively. The international FAI Pylon class (F3D) drew 18 entries, including the former World Champion Malina brothers from Czechoslovakia.
1975 NMPRA Championships
The Winners: Jim Maki, the smartest Japanese alive, the Green Flash, the Exalted Florida King, is the 1975 NMPRA F-I Champion. Jim is one of the most dedicated racing enthusiasts in the NMPRA, and he put all of his skills together to win the big Tournament of Champions with five first places, three second places and a fastest time of 1:19. His flying was really out of this world. However, at the end of one race he made it a part of this world by doing a "landscape-scoop" coming out of number three pylon which demolished his number one airplane. The final results are shown in the table. Public Relations: The thrill and excitement of Pylon Racing is fantastic, with four airplanes screaming around a quartermile course for ten laps at speeds up to 200 mph. We wanted to share this highly competitive event with the public; therefore, a concentrated advertising effort was launched using radio, newspaper and TV.
AMA Nats Lincoln '79: RC Pylon Racing
SIXTY-ONE pylon racers from 22 states converged in Lincoln, Nebraska for a week of "Turn Left and Go Fast" activity. They came from all points of the compass; north from Minnesota, east from Maryland, south from Florida and west from California, to attend the 53rd AMA National Model Airplane Championships. Two pylon events, Formula I and Quarter Midget, drew 47 and 39 entries respectively. The attendance was up from the previous two Nationals but did not match the level of the 1976 Nats held in Dayton, Ohio. Undoubtedly, the gasoline situation had much to do with the turnout, as was the case for the Nats in general. However, those who did attend provided one of the most competitive pylon races which this author has ever witnessed. The weather was nearly ideal with morning temperatures in the 70s and low 80s. It really began to feel hot by the time 1 p.m. arrived and Pattern began. The humidity also was high, above 50%, but didn't contribute to engine problems as compared to previous Nationals held in Lake Charles. The only effect of the weather was to slow the times down below a record-setting pace.
1982 AMA Nats: RC Pylon Racing
PYLON RACING at the 56th AMA Nationals drew 69 total contestants with 47 entries in Quarter Midget and 45 in Formula I. Twenty-three pilots elected to fly both events, which spanned six morning time-slots at Lincoln Air Park. The largest turnout came from California, Texas and the Midwest, with sparse representation from the Northeast. Northwest and Southeast regions of the nation. We had one entry from Mexico. No doubt the nation's economic situation contributed to the decline in total Nats entries. However, the Quarter Midget percentage of total contestants almost doubled from the 1981 Seguin Nats and tied with the turnout at Wilmington, OH. The Midwest is the hotbed of Quarter Midget activity in the country.
AMA Nats 1983: RC Pylon Racing
THREE RC Pylon Racing events were held during the 57th AMA Nationals at Westover Air Force Base, MA. Sixty-three individuals entered these events, with 48 in Formula 1, 34 in Quarter Midget, and four in FAI Pylon. Previously, a check with AMA HQ after the advance-entry cut-off had indicated entry levels of 44 in Formula I, 29 in Quarter Midget, and 14 in FAI. (The short-fall in FAI contestants was due to several individuals contending that they were not properly prepared to fly this event in national competition.) The entries came from many states, as well as some representation from Canada and Mexico. With regard to specific events; Formula I drew large entries from California, Texas, Michigan and New England. Quarter Midget is most popular in the Midwest, and this region provided the greatest turnout. FAI interest is very spotty, with entries from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
