Control Line: Speed
I HAVE BEEN ASKED by AMA to write a column on U-Control Speed. I was so excited I could hardly wait to get off the phone and get started. After I started over the 3rd or 4th time, some of the excitement was replaced with apprehension. It has been a long time since U-Control Speed has been heard from in a National Publication on a regular basis and because of this I wanted to write about everything and all at the same time. Since this is my first column, and since this column will be used strictly to promote and report on U-Control Speed, I will use the majority of this column to discuss Speed in general-where we are, where we have been, and where we are going. I feel that U-Control Speed at this point in time has a lot to offer the aspiring competitor. Participation in Speed has reached a low ebb on the local level; and as far as numbers go, on the national level. One can observe this state of participation in Speed from an optimistic or a pessimistic viewpoint. Personally, I always view Speed from an optimistic point of view; therefore, I feel that, due to the fact that participation is low at this time, that the aspiring Speed flyer has an opportunity to start competing in Speed right now with a good chance to taste success quickly, especially on the local level.
Control Line: Speed
BY THE TIME you read this, the largest part of the 1975 Speed season will be history. It is frustrating to try to be current with your reporting when you realize what you are writing in June will be read in late August or early September (regardless of what the date on the cover says). I am tired and contest weary and I hope this is not reflected in my column. We have been to three meets in a row: Louisiana State Championships in Shreveport; the Southeastern Controline Championships in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and the Texas State Championships in Dallas. We will be off one week and then to Houston, and then home to get ready for Lake Charles and the 1975 Nationals. I can honestly say Speed is on the upswing. Everywhere we go we see more Junior interest than I can ever remember and Senior and Open interest seem to be holding their own. It appears that interest in Formula 40 Speed is growing and I look for this event to be a big one in the 1976 Speed Season.
Control Line: Racing-Speed
SPEED AND RACING EVENTS at our 1975 National Contest were run by Jill Bussell of Dallas and Bill Lee of Houston respectively. This was the first time out as National Event Directors for either of the two, but they both sported much local and regional experience in their respective events. From my observations, they both performed admirably and deserve a standing ovation from those competing in Speed and Racing at Lake Charles. It rained off and on most of the day Monday and everyone was holding their breath. August is getting close to the hurricane season around the Southern coast and the weather can be very turbulent during this time. It could have very easily rained the entire week. After Monday, generally the weather was good with the temperature starting out in the morning in the mid-70's and working its way up to the low 90's by mid-afternoon.
Control Line: Speed
WELCOME FORMULA 40 SPEED! The results of the final Control Line Contest Board ballot have been received for the 1976-77 Rules Changes and as expected, Formula 40 Speed is now an official event. Maybe Speed fliers will take the event more serious now-unless they want another Formula I pilot to come down and wax them again at the '76 Nats as was done in 1975. Tuned pipes have been banned in Formula 40, but constant diameter pipes are allowed with a maximum length of 5" measured from the centerline of the engine. Your best source for a complete review of the rules proposals and cross proposals that have passed will be in past issues of Competition News. Some of the cross proposals stand entirely alone and others refer back to the original proposal or just make one or more alternations to the original proposals. You must get them all together to understand the full intent of the proposals.
Control Line: Speed
DID I HEAR someone say they wanted to fly Speed, but they never learned to fly monoline. You say you want to fly Speed, but you are not too sure about dollies-they look complicated and hard to build. You say you want to fly Speed but you know nothing about tuned pipes (who does?). You say you would love to fly Speed but competitive engines are hard to come by and you never built a speed ship before. You say you really would like to try Speed but are concerned about your chances without first buying a machine shop and then spending the rest of your life trying to learn how to run all that complicated looking machinery you spent your life savings on.
