Radio Control: Pylon Racing
BY THE TIME you read this, the weather will probably be taking a turn for the better. As I'm writing this, I'm listening to a weather report. It's 20º below zero somewhere in Minnesota, there are 5-ft. snowdrifts in Michigan, and it's going to be 5º below zero tonight in Ohio. As the country is being hit by the worst winter storm this year, do you still wonder why I moved south? Well, look on the bright side of things. You have plenty of building time if you live in the North. Here are some of the things Formula I fliers have to look forward to this year. The Formula I, NMPRA Championships Race is going to be held in Las Vegas, sponsored again by Circus Circus. The race will be held on October 31 and November 1 of this year.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
SOMETIME ago, I received a newsletter from The Valencia Headwinds Model Aeronautics Club in Canoga, Park, CA. In the article was material by Larry Laulom, concerning 1/2A Pylon Racing. I think that this will be of some help for those of you who want to get started in 1/2 A Pylon. Larry writes: "This article is provided to encourage 1/2 A Pylon Racing within the club and provides a helpful starting point for those modelers unfamiliar with this type of event. "First, you need a reliable airborne pack. It needn't be expensive. Three types I have seen in wide use are Kraft, Ace, and Novak systems. All are acceptable. Try to keep the servos in the KPS-12 (bantam midget) class. You haven't much selection as far as the engine to use.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
I JUST RECEIVED an important phone call from Bob Brown on his work on the FAI Pylon Racing Committee. It seems that, through his hard work, there have been some great developments. The article I was working on can wait until next issue, because I feel this information will excite a lot of fliers. Bob has been working on the FAI committee very hard to get things going on an international level. The committee, chaired by then-chairman Hal deBolt, met in Paris, France recently. Here are some of the developments from that meeting and from the committee. I hope most of you get as excited about this as Bob Brown and I did.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
I HOPE THAT you pylon racers are planning to attend this year's AMA Nationals, to held at Seguin, TX August 2 to 9. Yours truly will be the C.D. for Pylon Racing. There will also be lots of good, experienced helpers. The site this year is more than adequate, so plan on attending. I don't think you will be sorry. It sure is nice to see someone come up with a new Formula One racer. We have been looking at Tonis and Polecats for too long. Now, there's a new Formula One called the Curtiss-Pitts Pellet. However, the guy who developed the new design prefers (with tongue in cheek) to call it "The Pitts." Since I had the personal honor of putting in the first few test flights, I can personally attest to the fact that it isn't "the pits." It is a super new design that seems to have all the makings of a winner.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
FOR MANY YEARS the best attended race of the year was held at Bakersfield, CA. This race drew people from all over the world, and at its peak had over 110 entries. All this came about through a lot of hard work and a lot of promotion, and it didn't happen overnight. As always, all good things must come to an end. Or do they really? Racing at Bakersfield came to an end in 1978, and it seemed as though there was nothing going to take its place. Well, thanks to a lot of effort from a few people, it looks as though we have the makings of what will be one of the best attended races of the year, drawing contestants from all over the world. Here is a report sent in by Gary Hover on the 1981 California State Championship Formula I Race held at San Luis Obispo, CA on May 16 and 17, 1981.
