Radio Control: Pylon Racing
AS YOU READ THIS, the 1981 AMA Nationals will be history. If you didn't go, then I'm sure you missed a great contest. This is where it all happens. You can compete in just about every type of modeling that you can think of, from Control Line Combat, Stunt, Speed and Scale, to the many different types of Free Flight. If it is Radio Control that you enjoy, there is RC Scale, Soaring, Pattern, and (what I think is the cream of the crop) Pylon Racing. This is the only time you can go and compete in or watch competition in almost every type of model aviation. Pylon Racing is very exciting for the competitor and the spectator. Why don't you get your club to put on a race? It can be a lot of fun, and profitable for the club at the same time. The myth that putting on a race is very difficult is just not true.
'81 AMA Texas Nats: RC Pylon Racing
THERE IS ALWAYS plenty of activity at any Nats. This year was no exception; with events in 69 categories, there was plenty going on. Nats time means different things to different people. Many come to compete, work, or just to enjoy all of the activities. Nats time also has an extra-special meaning for me. I get to see all my old racing friends from all over the United States, and each year I make a few new friends along the way. It is also one of the main reasons my wife enjoys the racing season. It was an exceptional year for racing. At this year's Nats we got in 18 rounds of Quarter Midget and 13 rounds of Formula I. There were many exciting races during the six days of competition.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
FORMULA I PYLON RACING has been about the same for the past seven or eight years. We have seen a few new airplanes come into the picture, but not too many new engines. Well, it looks as though we have another engine to work with, or at least we should have it soon. The new O.S. 40 VR-P Pylon engine was made available about midsummer. The craftsmanship in these engines is fantastic. But, do they run? Well, when I got mine I went right out and ran it. Surprise! On the stand it ran just as good as anything else I had. This was a stock engine right out of the box, compared to engines that had been reworked and were very competitive.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
EACH YEAR at Rough River, KY some of the fastest Quarter Midget fliers in the country get together for the NMPRA Quarter Midget Championship Race. Here is a report on this year's event from Wayne Yeager. Oh Kentucky! That's what the bumper stickers all say. Man, what a place! What a race! Those of you who missed the NMPRA Championships at Rough River State Park missed one of the wildest weekends ever. Talk about crash city! I can't begin to tell you the total number wiped out, but there were bunches! From running into each other on takeoff, to mid-airs, to radio failure, to brain-fade. You name it, we did it. There was a lot of fierce racing. These guys go like demons at this race and, baby, make one mistake and they blow you doors off. Smoke City!
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
IN MY SEPTEMBER 1981 article, I wrote about a new race that was taking the place of the old Bakersfield races that at one time drew over 100 entries. Well, to everyone's surprise, it looks as though Bakersfield was just taking a couple of years for a break. Here is a report sent to me by Gary Hover on what may be the start of more great racing at Bakersfield.
