Radio Control: Pylon Racing
BY THE TIME you read this month's column, you will be aware of the rule change in Quarter Midget that allows modified props. I am sure the dedicated pylon racer is in seventh heaven because of this rule change. For those of us who did not want see this change, it is just one more headache that we have to endure if we want to race. We have done some experimenting with the props since the rule change, and it does make a difference in the performance of the engines. We started with a 7-5N and cut the diameter to 6 3/4 inches, rounded the tip at the leading edge and sanded 1/2 degree of washout on the back side of the blades. See Fig. 1.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
RECEIVED a letter from a group of old-timers from the back woods of Iowa who would like to try pylon racing. Probably, there are other groups of old timers in the country that would like to try pylon racing, but who do not know where to start. The place to start is with the AMA Rule Book. Both Quarter Midget and Formula One are spelled out in this manual. If you have never raced, I would not recommend either Quarter Midget or Formula One to start with. The outline in the handbook for the racing course is standard, regardless of the aircraft you desire to race. Probably the best type of aircraft for your first race would be the Quickie 500 class. There are several commercial kits available at many hobby shops. These aircraft have 500 sq. in. wing area, use the front-rotor 40 engine, and usually weigh out at 4 1/2 to 5 pounds. If you decide to use this class of racing for your first event, be sure to start with stock, front-rotor, 40's and mufflers (no tuned pipes), and use a standard fuel such as K&B 500.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
A COUPLE of months back I mentioned that Bob Violett said that even he was hard pressed to keep up with the Formula One aircraft, it seems that my source of information was in error. In a letter to me Bob Violett stated that he does not think Formula One aircraft are going too fast, and that he is looking forward to turning a one-minute time this year. He also stated that his engine was turning 21,500 rpm on the line, and not 24,500 as written. Bob declared that, if the rules were changed to lower the nitro content in the fuel, he would quit racing. He is a dedicated "go-fast" flier and does not want Formula One slowed down!
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
I RECEIVED a letter from Len Weiderhoeft, President of NMPRA-Q.M. Len commented on the year-long series of questionnaires and surveys in 1976 conducted by ex-president George Zink, and felt that my suggestions for a Pylon event undermined the majority's wishes for Q.M. I agree that Q.M. has certainly grown up since its inception. George Zink says that "we columnists" are pro Formula One and want Q.M. to remain for the beginner. What I wanted to convey was the fact that the original intent of Q.M. was a fun event for the average and/or experienced modeler that did not want to, or could not, compete in Formula One. (Remember?) Nelson Eddy, President of the Pylon Racers of Puget Sound, is appalled at my suggesting another type of racing event. Nelson says they have found the Quickie 500 racing to be very popular in the Pacific Northwest.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
BY THE time you read this it will be the start of the '79 racing season. I think we all should take a good long look at the safety aspect of our various racing events. I had a long conversation with a fellow magazine writer about this subject and he voiced concern about the lack of safety at some of the racing events during the '78 season. A look at the AMA rule book establishes the minimum space required for the 1/4 Midget and Formula One classes. Any other form of pylon racing using the Q.M. or F-1 courses obviously would require the same amount of space. The Flying Forks of Lancaster, Ohio put it very neatly in their newsletter. "If something bad happens at our field, insurance or not, the pilot is going to feel terrible! The pound of cure won't help that much. The ounce of prevention is the only proper solution. And you owe it to the rest of the club to assume the responsibility to exercise safe flying. Safe flying means never having to say you're sorry."
