Radio Control: Pylon Racing
WELL, as you read this, you will more than likely already know that the 1980 Nats will be held at Wilmington, Ohio-August 10 through August 17. Wilmington is located about 35 miles southeast of Dayton, Ohio. Dayton was the location of the 1976 Nats, which was one of the best attended Nats ever. Pylon had over eighty entries in both Quarter Midget and Formula I. If all goes well, 1980 should be even better. Don't forget those of you who finish in the top ten in Formula I at the Nats are automatically qualified for the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) Championship Race, provided that you are an NMPRA member before you race. This year's race will be held at Titusville, FL around the end of October. The exact date will be announced later.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
AS you read this, you will have probably already been to your first race of the year. I will try to write up a few contests this year for this column. I can't do them all, but I think that most of you would like to know what is going on in all parts of the country. If your area has something to offer, please send it in and I will see what I can do. With today's highly developed engines, some that develop 2 1/2 to 3 horsepower, and the many kits that are available, pylon racing seems to have reached its limits. Speeds have been about the same for about the last six years. Terry Prather turned a 1:14 at the 1974 Nats. There are a lot more people going fast now than there were then, but only a few have gone faster. I think that Bill Williamson from Orlando, FL has the record of just under 1:10. Quarter Midget Racing is at about the same place, with best times at the low 1:20s.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
WELL, the racing season is going full tilt now. If you haven't had a race in your area yet, you soon will as the hot summer months are right around the corner. For the Formula I flier the big goal will probably be to qualify for the NMPRA Championship race. This year's championship race will be held at Titusville, Florida on October 25 and 26. In order to qualify for this race, you must finish in the top 20% of your district. There are nine districts. Included in these districts are Mexico and Canada. Each district has a vice president who is responsible for keeping track of who the top 20% are. The top 10 finishers from the AMA Nats are also qualified, provided that they are NMPRA members.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
SUMMER is just around the corner, although as I write this it is 99 degrees outside with the promise of hotter weather on its way. We have had several races already and it is only the end of May. As I said earlier, from time to time I will write up some contest reports from different areas so that you have some idea what is going on in all parts of the country. So send in your contest reports. Also send some pictures. We will try to use some of them. They must be black and white and preferably 5 × 7. I just received a contest report on the Middle Tennessee Radio Control Society pylon races held on April 19 and 20. The report is from John Kilsdonk.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
LAST MONTH we discussed an in-air adjustable needle valve that seems to be helping some of the Formula I fliers make 10 laps. Since then, I have found one modification that will help in getting a better needle setting. It seems as though the needle has too much taper. I have found that by just putting the needle in a small lathe or a drill press and recutting or filing a more gentle taper on it, such as the K&B needles have, your end result is a lot broader needle range, making it easier to adjust. Another trick that I have seen used a lot on Club 500 racers, as well as on some sport planes, is the practice of mounting your needle valve somewhere other than on the carburetor. Think about it-that long needle valve sticking out of the side of your carburetor is acting just like a tuning fork.
