Control Line: Racing
RACING for 1986 is finally winding down, and after all that was involved, I think it was a very successful year. One thing is certain: racing in the Midwest has met with improved contestant participation with many new modelers entering in the Sport Racing or Big Goodyear events. The two major events which appear to be growing are Scale Racing and Midwest Sport Race. Each Midwestern contest this summer had a minimum of 12 to 20 entrants in each of these events. Participant levels in Rat and Slow Rat are about the same as last year, so with the sophisticated equipment required as well as experienced pilots, new blood in these events is most limited.
Control Line: Racing
PROPOSED RULES would put limitations on Fast and Slow Rat by limiting the engine displacement to .21 cu. in. This situation has produced a flurry of letters and telephone calls, and 95% of them have wanted the engine sizes in these two events to remain as they presently stand. The Control Line Racing group from the San Diego, CA area summarized most people's feelings by indicating that they want to ". . .please keep .40-sized Rat alive since we think it is worth the effort just for the excitement of an expert-only, 150+ mph premier Racing event." Howard Shahan has sent me some of the Racing results from the October 18-19 CL contest held in Whittier, CA. Howard indicates that the contest drew approximately 60 entries in Racing! The events were Mouse I and II, Northwest Sport Race, Fast Rat, Scale Race, Big Goodyear, and Slow Rat.
Control Line: Racing
NOISE PROBLEMS in Racing events is my key topic this month. Over the past few months I have received several letters and inquiries as to any suggestions I might have concerning "abating noise pollution" by Control Line Racing aircraft. Obviously, if we ignore the complaints from the public, the law-enforcement officials will be forthcoming, and your club or Racing fraternity loses another flying site. As our towns and cities grow larger, the "rural" concrete or asphalt schoolyards become surrounded by shopping centers and housing subdivisions with single- as well as multiple-family dwellings. The noise complaints soon eliminate the use of the site for model aircraft. Since decently-surfaced flying sites for Racing are extremely limited, affirmative action must be taken to minimize the noise level.
