Radio Control: Pylon Racing
BOY! 1996 has been quite a year. We've got some contest reports from the Northeast, but first let's look at something else. Pylon Racing has come a long way since I've been racing. But now we seem to be shooting ourselves in the foot. Let's look at what we have: Here in Texas we have three different classes of Q500, all using a .40 size engine and all flying the same type of airplane. The difference is the speed. Now we have QM40, which took the place of our .15-size QM. Then we still have Formula I.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
WOW! What a busy summer. It's time to catch up on some contest reports. Over the years we will have a contest that will turn out, for whatever the reason, to be one that everyone wants to go to, such as the Phoenix races in February every year; the QM Silver Cup Races; the Tangerine. Well, Texas has come up with a race that will draw a good crowd. Here is a report on that race, sent to me by Don Nix: The biggest Pylon race of the year in NMPRA District 8 was held at the Taylor Airport in Taylor, TX (just outside Austin) on August 3-4, 1996. Sponsored by Powermaster Fuel and named the "Powermaster Nationals," 41 contestants from 12 states (including former world champions Dub Jett and Richard Verano) flew "Hot Laps in Texas."
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
THE LAST RACE OF 1995 was probably the Tangerine. Here is a report from Jerry Salisbury: The Tangerine was two weeks earlier this year than in the past. Judging by the entry numbers it will remain in the middle of December in the future. Quarter Midget had 26 entries, and would have had four or five more had it not been for several test crashes the day before. The first heat went off on time despite Carl Simms forgetting to register, and the crew having to re-matrix. The weather could not have been better, in the mid 80s, no wind, and not a cloud in the sky. Vern Smith set the first round pace with a 1:09.23. This time was tested heat after heat but wound up as fast time for the event.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
HERE WE ARE in the dead of winter, or for you people up North, the storm-and-blizzard season. Boy, when I watch The Weather Channel this time of year, I remember some of the reasons why I moved to Texas. Anyway, with the building season here I thought you all might be interested in this article by Fog Tanner Jr. I got it from the NMPRA newsletter. After several discussions on wing construction, at the Nats and back in our district, I decided to put it into writing. Paul Page asked me to write another article-you guys can blame him.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
THE RACING SEASON is just getting started here in the South. Those of you up North will have a little more building time because of the weather. Our first Formula I race is in Phoenix. I will let you know what happened in my next column. It has been quite a while since we have published a list of those who supply you with racing gear. Some of these people operate out of their homes on a small scale, and word-of-mouth is how they get their business. People who are not in the racing circles do not have access to this information, so maybe this will help them find some people with experience and knowledge about competitive racing and flying for sport or hobby.
